Wednesday Addams (Emily Olszewski), the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family. A man her parents have never met.

And if that weren’t upsetting enough, she confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez (Josh Wainright) must do something he’s never done before — keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia (Emily Ramirez). Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents.

The Addams Family is a magnificently macabre musical comedy, created by Jersey Boys authors Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa. PPT’s production of The Addams Family, which opens at the Meroney Theater next Thursday, is directed by Reid Leonard, with choreography by Tod A. Kubo and musical direction by Jenny Carroll.

The show is based on the iconic characters created by Charles Addams in his single-panel gag cartoons that first appeared in The New Yorker magazine in 1938. Over his nearly 60-year career, Charles Addams maintained his position as one of the most celebrated cartoonists of all time.

75 years later, The Addams Family still thrives as a pop culture phenomenon, with characters appearing in commercials, merchandise, movies, the popular 1960s television show, and a Broadway musical, which featured Nathan Lane as Gomez and was nominated for 2 Tony Awards and 8 Drama Desk Awards including Outstanding Musical.

In addition to the original characters created by Addams, the musical version introduces the “normal” Midwestern family … The Beinekes; Mal (Carl Boldt), Alice (Amy McKay), and Lucas (Ryan Miles). The PPT version also includes an incredibly talented ensemble consisting of Addams Family ancestors, each from a different time period.

PPT’s family-friendly production of The Addams Family promises an eye-popping set designed by Reid Leonard, a stellar orchestra conducted by Virgie Taylor, and jaw dropping dance sequences only Tod A. Kubo can deliver.

Come meet the family…We’ll leave the lights off for you!

Show dates: Oct. 8-10 and 14-17 at 7:30 p.m. and a matinee on Sunday, Octo. 11 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are available at 704-633-5471 or at piedmontplayers.com. Adults $18, students/seniors $15. Producing partner: SALCOA Contracting, Inc.

MEET THE FAMILY:

Gomez Josh Wainright

Morticia Emily Ramirez

Wednesday Emily Olszewski

Pugsley Blake Barrier

Grandma Robin Rogers

Fester Dennis Welch

Lucas Ryan Miles

Alice Amy McKay

Mal Carl Boldt

Lurch Wayland Pressley

Cousin Itt Micah Cross

Ancestors Brooke Baldwin. Winnie Mikkelson, Wendy Weant, Ashlyn Keller Sumner, Kevin Maldonado, Darius Price, Madisyn Rey, Tanner Groppi, Rusty Fisher, Kaylee Hawley.