A new musical comedy featuring an endearing television family will be shown in Fort Smith as the final touring show of the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith’s Season of Entertainment 33.

 

Phoenix Entertainment will present “The Addams Family” at 7:30 p.m. April 5 at the Arkansas Best Performing Arts Center, offering an original chapter in the long-running story of the grotesquely charming family.

 

When Wednesday falls in love with a well-to-do boy from a respectable family, she confides the secret to her father and urges him not to tell her mother, Morticia. Tension builds until the climactic night when they host a dinner for Wednesday’s boyfriend and his family.

 

Created by the “Jersey Boys” authors Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, the show received acclaim for its unique style of dark comedy. The Dallas Morning News said the show was “raucous, zany” and “laugh-out-loud funny.” The Kansas City Star called the musical “first class with unexpected pleasures at almost every turn. This show is nothing but a good time.”

 

Stacey Jones of Fort Smith, associate vice chancellor of campus and community events, said “The Addams Family is a true family show.”

 

“We’re very excited about being able to bring Addams Family to Fort Smith,” he said. “Kids of all ages will love it. It’s a musical that keeps in line with the original television show, so it will be fun for the whole family.”

 

“The Addams Family” is the final show of Season of Entertainment 33, a year-long lineup of entertainment which includes national touring productions and UAFS student concerts and theatrical productions. The season featured a slew of musicals, plays, and symphonic performances, including “Man from La Mancha,” “Bring it On” and “Crimes of the Heart.”

 

The Arkansas Best Performing Arts Center is located at the Fort Smith Convention Center, 55 S. 7th St. Admission is by a Season of Entertainment ticket, or individual tickets are $55 for lower-tier seating and $52 for upper-tier. Tickets are available by calling the Box Office at 479-788-7300 or visiting uafs.universitytickets.com.