‘The Addams Family Musical’ arrives at the Homecoming Centre

The Addams Family Musical is set to open to great excitement in December at the Homecoming Centre, formerly The Fugard, not only for its pure entertainment value for families but for the Addams Family’s iconic status for so many viewers.

This marks the first time this worldwide hit musical will be performed professionally in South Africa, with its run beginning on December 14, 2024.

The Addams Family Musical by Andrew Lippa, Marshal Brickman and Rick Elice is based on the beloved characters created by Charles Addams. The musical centres around the eccentric, macabre, and ghoulish Addams family, led by Gomez and Morticia Addams.

Presented by Mother City Theatre Productions, the heart-warming and hilarious story celebrates love, family, and the search for identity, while offering audiences a memorable blend of quirky characters and universal truths.

The Homecoming Centre itself holds deep cultural significance.

Owned by the District Six Museum and originally the Sacks Futeran Textile Warehouse, the building was transformed into a boutique theatre through the vision of South African producer Eric Abraham. Over the years, The Fugard became Cape Town’s favourite boutique theatre and home to iconic productions such as Kinky Boots, The Rocky Horror Show, and a host of Athol Fugard plays.

After closing during the pandemic, the return of the venue as a theatre will be celebrated with the high-energy fun of The Addams Family Musical, reconnecting audiences with Cape Town’s rich theatrical tradition.

A worldwide cult hit, The Addams Family Musical ran on Broadway for 722 performances, garnering numerous awards and spawning many international productions. The highly anticipated South African production will feature a world-class ensemble of performers.

Leading the cast as the unforgettable Morticia Addams is acclaimed South African musical theatre star Samantha Peo. With leading roles in productions like Chicago, Cabaret, and Thoroughly Modern Millie, Peo brings a commanding presence to the stage, having earned multiple Naledi and Fleur du Cap awards. Audiences can expect her portrayal of Morticia to be just as captivating—sultry, poised, and undeniably charismatic.

Opposite Peo, in the role of Gomez Addams, is the versatile Tiaan Rautenbach, known for his work on popular South African TV shows such as 7de Laan and Isidingo. A Naledi Award winner for We Will Rock You, and having recently wowed audiences as Bill Austin in Mamma Mia!, Rautenbach’s portrayal of Gomez will blend comedy and charm, with deep familial devotion, making him the perfect patriarch for the eccentric Addams clan.

Adding a unique flavour to the production is Brendan van Rhyn as Lurch. Known for his larger-than-life performances, including Cathy Pacific and Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Show, van Rhyn will infuse his own blend of humour and physicality into the role of the beloved Addams family butler.

Taking on the role of the mischievous Wednesday Addams is Jordyn Schaefer, a rising star in the theatre world.

Cape Times