Meet “The Addams Family” (and the Beinekes)

How does a chartered professional metallurgical engineer (responsible for the management of numerous metallurgical projects around the world) and an avid tri-athlete, motorbike rider and surfer, squeeze in time for rehearsals and learning lines for the lead role of Gomez in The Addams Family? Simple, David Readett is passionate about everything he does. And Gomez is passionately in love with Morticia – affectionately calling her romantic names like Querida and Cara Mia and is driven wild by her slightest action.

The matriarch, the real head of the family, a ruined beauty, contemptuous and original and with fierce family loyalty. Having first graced a Sunshine Coast stage in 2004, Sharon has
endeavoured to stay on it ever since! Performance pursuits have taken her to the US as part of Studio 2’s Dance USA Team, including performances on Carnival Cruise ships and in Disneyland. Sharon is delighted to be extending her live performance experience into the realms of live-and-dead-and-undecided theatre.

Amongst the many talents of Rob Attenborough lies a playwright. A Finalist in the recent Edyth Brook Cooper Playwriting Competition presented by BATS Theatre, to his amazement he was awarded 1st Prize for Best Play with the comedy, ‘Senses Working Overtime’ as well as taking home the Audience Choice Award last Saturday 9th April. CONGRATULATIONS! Rob has certainly thrown himself into the role of Uncle Fester, who despite his menacing look and bizarre behaviour, is gentle and caring to everyone.

Michelle Hansen is a local talent having been born and raised on the Sunshine Coast. She has always had a passion for singing and made her theatre debut in 2012 in Coolum Theatre Players’ production of ‘Urinetown’. Since then, she has performed in a number of local productions. Michelle is excited to be part of The Addams Family as Wednesday (that irresistible bundle of malice who has now grown up), and hopes to continue performing on Thursday, Friday, Saturday….and beyond!!

Nikki’s first acting role was Gretel in ‘The Sound of Music’ at age seven. After travelling overseas, Nikki ended up on the Coast with her family. Her first show with Coolum in was ‘Urinetown’. From a little girl with a toy dog, to the risqué role of Janet in Rocky Horror, she now adds Pugsley to her character portfolio. Pugsley’s, an energetic monster of a boy, a dedicated troublemaker and extremely opposed to the thought of Wednesday, getting married.

Julia was CTP President from 2009 to 2014 and continues to manage all the shows’ publicity and promotions. She’s performed on stage, a television pilot, a radio play, a movie set and won Seniors Idol 2007. Having grandchildren of her own, this role is suiting her down to the ground. With a truly cynical sense of humor, grandma is known for concocting various potions. She’s hoping that lots of special effects makeup will be required to make her look 102 years of age!

Andrew fulfilled his ambition to play the Narrator in ‘Rocky Horror’, in CTPs production in November 2015. At 205cm tall with a deep, resonant voice, was any wonder he was cast as Lurch. A towering mute, Lurch has been shambling around the house forever. He’s not a very good butler but a faithful one. Andrew’s first role on the Sunshine Coast earlier in 2015 was playing Richard in David Williamson’s production, ‘Cruise Control’.

They’re husband and wife in real life, so playing the roles of Mr and Mrs Beineke is certainly easier on their rehearsal.From backstage, front of house and props maker, to the role of Dr Frank n Furter, the mad transsexual scientist from Transylvania, to Mal Beineke, a “normal” husband and father, Greg McMahon continues to show his theatrical capabilities. Mal is a respectable business owner who’s conservative and passionless so you can imagine his reaction to meeting the Addams Family at the dinner for his son’s intended marriage to Wednesday.

Chris started dancing when she was 4 and has enjoyed a love of music and dance ever since. She’s played numerous diverse character roles since joining CTP in 2010. Chris has been the director’s assistant in many productions, dance choreographer, props and costume maker, whilst also serving her fourth term as Vice President on the Committee. Alice Beineke, is the mother-in-law to be. Much like her own life story, “the people pleasing housewife” has a midlife awakening and finds her voice.

Lucas is a young college student from Ohio who, whilst lost in Central Park saw Wednesday with a crossbow and fell in love! Harry is an experienced performer having appeared in many amateur and professional productions. Whilst living in Tasmania, he sought tuition in Voice, Dancing and Acting and has been trained classically in Voice by Nationally recognised singer Chris Richardson. He’s extremely grateful to be on this path once again, following his
passion in his debut performance at Coolum.