The Fine Arts Department will present the Addams Family Musical on Thursday, Friday and Sunday.
America’s favorite ghoulish family will take to the stage at North Montgomery High School this weekend.
The Addams Family, an original musical about love, family, honesty and growing up, opens at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and continues at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
Veteran director Kelly Cassady said the show was chosen as a contrast to last year’s musical, Big Fish, which had a somber theme. The wacky Addams Family provides plenty of laughs centered around themes that all should live by. All the characters from the popular 1960’s era television will be on stage.
The production features an original story, and it’s every father’s nightmare. Wednesday Addams (Leah Wolf), the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with Lucas (Chase Newkirk), a smart, young man from a respectable family. And if that weren’t upsetting enough, Wednesday confides in her father, Gomez (Brian Bone), and begs him not to tell her mother, Morticia (Hadyn Allen). Now, Gomez must do something he’s never done before — keep a secret from his beloved wife.
Everything changes for the whole family on the night they host a dinner party for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents played by Isaac Bacon and Emily Brewer.
All of the scenes play out with family members who made the television series popular. From the Addams’ youngest child, Pugsley (Abigail Eutsler), to Cousin It (Dawson Odle), all the characters are integrated into the plot.
Bone, a regular on the North Montgomery stage and Sugar Creek Players, said the audience better come prepared to laugh at the experienced cast.
“People need to come see this show because there is a lot of humor,” Bone said. “The cast is close because we have been together for a long time and we have a common bond. It all makes for a good show.”
Wolf, who’s resume includes Myers Dinner Theater, Vanity Theater and North school productions, loves her part as the teenage daughter. She even dressed like her at Halloween when she was in the fourth grade.
“I have always loved Wednesday because she is a lot like me,” Wolf said. “She is adventurous and is looking for something different and new.”
Wolf's stage appearance is the 13th production of her acting career.
Eutsler also is a familiar name with appearances in North school productions, Vanity Theater and Myers Dinner Theater. The high school freshman admitted playing the part of Wednesday’s little brother has proven to be tricky.
“My part is a little bit of a challenge since I have to be a boy,” Eutsler said. “I have to think through my part like a boy would. He has some dark moments in the musical, but he also has some sweet moments.”
Allen, who also has been seen in numerous North schools productions and Myers Dinner Theater, said landing the female lead part was a dream come true.
“I watched the musical before auditions and I wanted the be Morticia,” Allen said. “This is the best part I have ever played. The show is a good family show of a classic television show.”
Band director Andy Simpkins is leading an eight-member pit orchestra to continue the tradition of having live orchestration for the school’s musicals.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students. Children age five and younger are admitted free. Tickets are on sale now at www.nmhs.nm.k12.in.us. Click on the “Fine Arts” button found by clicking the “Information” drop down button.
Tickets also can be purchased at the door.
