The Addams Family was an all time favourite television show in the swinging sixties. The kooky clan were the antithesis to the white picket fence usually depicted as the American dream. Morticia snipped the head off flowers, preferring black roses. Fester loved to experiment his torture techniques on the willing kids Wednesday and Pugsley, who often came up with their own equally bizarre experiments.

Family butler Lurch emitted only groans, while the expressive wandering hand, aka Thing, scurried about the creepy mansion. Ghastly Gomez, who went weak at the knees when Morticia uttered French, was the head of this morbid family who scared visitors away just by answering the door.

In The Addams Family musical, members of Players Theatre take on these roles and look remarkably like their tv counterparts.

The musical picks up with macabre daughter Wednesday (Jayde Symes, 21, in her first major role with Players), now an eighteen year-old, having fallen in love with Lucas Beineke, a smart teen from a normal, respectable Ohio family. When Wednesday invites the Beinekes to the Addams Family mansion for dinner, an hilarious night of mayhem ensues.

Other members of the creepy family are Lurch (Paul Bishop), Gomez (Tim Gibbs), Morticia (Simone Sherrin), Fester (Cherie Kershaw), Grandma (Wendy Jamison), Pugsley (Reuben Reed, 11 in his second role).

The musical is directed by Hamish Keddie, who says with 11 big dance numbers, this has been the most challenging of the seven shows he has directed at The Players Theatre. He has a talented production team behind him.

"This is a visual spectacle and I hope you enjoy your experience of the amazing talent of the Players Theatre production of The Addams Family, A New Musical," he says.

Gibbs, whose last role was a tour de force portrayal of Jean Valjean in the Manning Entertainment Centre's excellent production of Les Miserables in November 2018, says the vocal style for Gomez is quite different.

"Valjean's vocals are in a powerful classical style. For Gomez, you have a Spanish accent, and you have to incorporate the Latino passion, and suaveness," Gibbs says.

To prepare for the role, Gibbs re-watched the films produced in the '90s. "I was a big fan of the films ... but even the film versions are different to the tv. I put my own take on Gomez, based on how the character is in the show. He's quite different, time has passed, he's a bit older, a bit wiser, and he realises he has a bit more to lose, so he is trying to please everyone. As a result, the world around him starts to collapse."

Newcomer Symes is a student of Gibbs' Encore Studios, and only recently began singing. "For her to audition and land such a big role shows the dedication she has."

A favourite moment for him in the show is his song with Wednesday called Happy Sad. "Plus the song at the end of Act 1, which ends on a massive high."

But one thing he is trepidatious about is his uncoordinated feet. "I have to dance which is a nightmare. We're trying to make the final showstopping number as spectacular as possible despite my lack of dancing ability."

He commends director Keddie, assistant director Jordan Frith, Kate Ford choreographer, and Deb King vocal director for bringing together a great show with quite a few newbies involved.

"From the moment people walk in the door, to the final number, they will feel a part of The Addams Family world."

The Addams Family, Players Theatre, Gordon St, Port Macquarie, behind the Olympic pool. May 17-June 2, Fridays, Saturdays 8pm and matinees at 2pm on Saturday and Sunday. Opening night tickets are $40 and include a complimentary beverage, program and canapes from 6.45pm.