Trips to Turners Falls are frequent for me, driving up from my farm in the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia. 

I visit my son Briggs and family, oftentimes coinciding the excursion with his performances playing leading roles in JaDuke Theater productions.

Over the last several years of attending shows and getting to know people, I’ve come to realize that JaDuke Theater is not simply hosting and creating presentations; rather it is a centrifugal community force bringing together parents, children, young adults and many more community members to not only celebrate the arts but to cultivate young and old, to teach how to breathe in the world around them.

Turners Falls is the epitome of small-town America where traditional values are honored, family and home, loved ones cherished, honesty and truth championed. 

It could be chosen as a major Hollywood movie set starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep or Julia Roberts and Richard Gere; a place out of time where children are safe and respectful of adults. 

JaDuke Theater founder Nick Waynelovich fosters this Americana. He nurtures and oversees the countless programs the theater offers, nourishing individual growth and providing sustenance for his cultural kingdom. Much like a benevolent ruler, Nick has established a fortress of wealth, a wealth of talent.

The recent production of The Addams Family is a case in point and a showstopper, showcasing as yet untapped talent along with those sporting thespian savvy.

Local teachers, students, community leaders, young and old and in between brandish their diverse and abundant endowments, from soundstage, set designing, vocal coaching, lighting to acting.

JaDuke Theater is a veritable American Idol soundstage.

I’m not a pedigreed New York Times Broadway critic, not by a long shot, but in the last 40 years or so, I’ve seen my share of Broadway plays and so I am comfortable critiquing.

Briggs Doxzen, Greenfield Savings Bank assistant manager by day, you weren’t on the stage more than 10 minutes in your role as Gomez when someone in the audience was overheard to say, “Oh my God, he belongs on Broadway.” In fact, John Astin, the original Gomez character, bless his heart, now 96 years old, should probably receive a video of your performance. He’d be proud of you.

Suzanne O’Gara, you run a tea shop and teach vocals, completing an upcoming bestseller during the day. I suspect that Carolyn Jones, the original Morticia Addams, is looking down from above. She watches you glide across the stage, soft, seductive ballet movements, creating an allure to drive Gomez crazy and a voice compelling and powerful. She is smiling.

Whitney Williams playing Wednesday, the dark princess, your soaring voice, earnest youthful countenance and stage presence is a pure joy to watch.

So many cast members to mention, so much talent to celebrate. 

John Vera-Dreyer as Pugsley, Jesse Sinclair as Uncle Fester, Judith Dean Kulp as Grandma, Cameron Ward as Lurch, William LaPlante as Mal Beineke, Emily Welcome as Alice Beineke, Jason Billings as Lucas Beineke, Fred Warren as Caveman, and all cast members, collectively take your bows. 

The applause you receive from awed audiences is heartfelt and incredibly well deserved.

The performance continues this weekend with shows Oct. 23 and 24 at 7 p.m. and Sunday Oct. 25 at 2 p.m.

Thanks and appreciation also go out to Greenfield Savings Bank for underwriting this magical production. You are a true community-oriented bank.

Chris Doxzen lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and was raised in Massachusetts.