Wednesday Addams is dark and unsmiling, but for Sanni Lehto, she is also an example of tolerance. Jumping into a cult role does not scare Lehto, but the fans are a challenge for him.
As the age increased, the career intentions of the little girl from Vesilahti refined into the goal of working as an actress.
Now Lehto is living his dream at the Seinäjoki City Theatre, where he plays the role of Wednesday’s daughter in the musical comedy about the Addams family of monsters.
The one from princess dreams?
– I noticed that the bad guys have a lot of fun. They might even have more stones than the good ones, laughs Lehto.
The new arrival of the teen idol
In the black and white TV series of the 1960s, the characters were given names and the Addams family became more widely known.
At the latest, the films of the 1990s brought Addams to world fame. The family has also been seen on theater stages and in video games.
Now the Addams are relevant again.
The series about Wednesday has set viewing records on Netflix and the title dance is going wild on social media.
The topicality of the character also brings its own spice to the role of Sanni Lehto.
– You can’t ignore it. It has an effect and it’s a bit exciting, but it’s also really wonderful. It’s an honor to be able to make such an iconic character in this moment.
Over the decades, the Addams Family has developed its own fan culture.
Fans may react harshly to the new versions, Lehto knows.
– I see a ready-made fan base as a good challenge. I hope that people will come to see our version, even if they are skeptical.
\”The unimaginative use bright colors\”
The Addams family has gone through the decades pretty much unchanged, both in terms of their world of ideas and their appearance.
However, in the musical version of Seinäjoki, you don’t see, for example, Thing, a living hand belonging to the Addams group. That might upset true fans.
– I’ve tried to hide quite a few hints about Thing in the set. I’m really happy if a fan finds them, says Aurasmaa.
Bright colors do not belong in the world of the Addams family.
– As the family’s mother, Morticia, states, only unimaginative people use bright colors, says Aurasmaa.
Wednesday, on the other hand, can always be recognized by pigtails – and dark clothing.
However, Wednesday’s yellow dress, which starts an avalanche of events, is also glimpsed in the efforts to \”normal\”.
Also, for example, Morticia should rather fly, not walk, in her long robe.
– Only at a later stage does Spouse Gomez find out that my love, woman of eternal surprises, you have legs, laughs Aurasmaa.
\”Let it be as it is\”
Gloomy and smileless, Wednesday might not be the most typical teen idol.
However, the popularity of Sanni Lehto Wednesday is not surprising.
The same message that made the character important to Lehto in his own teenage years still holds true.
– Let it be as it is. If there is such a dark type, so be it.
The infectiously laughing Lehdo is not the first thing that comes to mind as a gloomy person.
The actor himself quickly finds, in addition to his small, dark essence, a long list of common character traits with his character.
– We are both strong-willed, feminists and introverts, when we choose to be. We love dark humor.
Sanni Lehto also feels that the musical challenges the concept of normality.
– As Morticia’s mother says, a spider’s normal is a fly’s horror.
In fact, swimming into the role of Wednesday was surprisingly easy, outwardly no special gimmick was needed either.
– I can walk around with my feet up and be good-natured and withdrawn at the same time, it comes naturally, says Lehto.
The total unsmiling characteristic of Wednesday has required special attention. Basically, in musicals you have to smile, a lot and widely.
– Usually, a \”musical smile\” shoots energy into the entire audience, says Sanni Lehto.
Now Lehto has practiced keeping a face with basic readings, because in the Addams family, mouths turn upwards only in exceptional cases.
– It’s wonderfully therapeutic. Even if you are dancing choreography, you can keep your face relaxed and move forward.
Things familiar from Tiktok
There is enough imagery about the Addams family.
Wednesday’s dance, which became a global social hit through the Netfilix series, also added choreography as a natural spice during the planning phase.
– I didn’t take a copy and transfer it directly to the musical, but you can find familiar movements here and there, Numminen hints.
