playbill vip

Director's Note:

Neil Hong, Director and Producer

"The Addams Family" has, indeed, become a timeless emblem of embracing the unconventional. From the original New Yorker Cartoon by Charles Addams' to its various adaptations across television and film, the Addams Family dynamic has captivated audiences with their unique charm and unusual interests.

In this iteration of “The Addams Family,” Wednesday has disrupted the barrier between life and death by falling in love with a ‘normal’ boy. The shock of this decision reverberates through the ancestors, creates a rift between Morticia and Gomez, and drives both families apart. As we worked to put on this show, I pondered these conflicts in relation to the show’s closing song “Move Towards the Darkness.” 

“Move towards the darkness, conquering your pain.

Let each foreign forest, offer you its rain.

Only at our lowest can we rise above.

Move towards the darkness, and love.”

This haunting melody, based on the famous four notes of the Addams Family theme song, beckons us to embrace our pain and confront the shadows within ourselves. It reminds us that only by acknowledging and accepting our darkest moments can we truly find the strength to rise above them.

Our own judgments, fears, doubts, and secrets might represent the darkness the song mentions. As we witness the Addams family navigate their own inner conflicts, we are challenged to confront our own ‘darkness’ with courage and compassion. By moving towards the darkness, we open ourselves to growth and transformation, finding solace and, ultimately, love in the most unexpected places.

Thank you for joining us on this enchanting journey as we explore and celebrate the beauty found in embracing our whole authentic selves. So, move towards the darkness and discover the profound light that lies within. 

Family first, family last, and family by and by.

Neil Hong