“They’re creepy and they’re kooky. Mysterious and spooky. They’re all together ookey. The Addams Family.” The theme song of the classic television series is well known and perfectly describes the Addams brood, who are visiting Dayton at the Schuster Center for ‘The Addams Family Musical’ playing March 5 - 10.
Though part of the Addams Family the only thing scary about Lexie Dorsett is her talent. She is frighteningly good. While in Dayton, Dorsett will be playing the lead role of Morticia, which she is an understudy for. A graduate of the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music (CCM), the Addams Family is Dorsett’s second national tour as she was the leading lady (Elizabeth Benning) in ‘Young Frankenstein the Musical’ last year. Her vocal and dancing skills, along with a vibrant stage presence have also earned her roles in productions such as ‘Hair,’ ‘Legally Blonde,’ ‘The Sound of Music,’ and ‘High School Musical.’
Ironically, both of the bright actresses national tours have been darker themed shows. “The joke is that I’m making a career off of gothic comedies,” laughed Dorsett.
Though dark in tone, “Addams Family,’ is light in nature and filled with enough laughs for the entire family to enjoy. Everyone’s favorite characters from the series are featured, including Lurch, Cousin It, and Uncle Fester. “The best way to describe it it’s like what a ‘special episode’ would be like. Wednesday is all grown up and getting married to a guy from Ohio so it’s about the family dealing with that. Of course since the Addams’ are kooky, hilarity ensues,” she said.
In addition to the beloved theme song, which opens the show, Dorsett promises many other musical numbers that will entertain. Beyond rhythm, the lyrics also contain one liners for the audience’s delight. A favorite of Dorsett’s is ‘Just Around the Corner,’ performed by Morticia and the Ancestors, during which Morticia talks directly to the crowd, breaking the fourth wall.
Plus, the song concludes with a high energy kick line.
To be performing on stage is a dream come true for Dorsett, who first got involved with community theatre at 13 years old and when in the ninth grade presented her parents with a list of the top schools where she could study her craft. “I told them, ‘People can make a living in theatre and these are the places I can go to do that.”
The decision was made to attend CCM and the day after graduation, Dorsett moved to New York and started working. She’s anxious to return to Dayton, as some of her former professors come to see she show and also to visit a local coffee shop that she fondly remembers.
On the national tour, Dorsett has also earned the reputation of knowing where all the best Thai food restaurants are in each city. She doesn’t recall the name of her favorite Thai place in Dayton, but knows its location.
Dorsett is most thrilled to be returning to the Schuster Center Stage for ‘The Addams Family Musical,’ March 5-10. For more information or to order tickets, go to www.ticketcenterstage.com.
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