LHS Drama presents 'The Addams Family Musical' this weekend

Apr. 15—Since opening on Broadway in 2010, The Addams Family Musical has taken the stage by storm — and this weekend, it will undoubtedly have the same effect locally.

Beginning Friday and running through Sunday, the Logansport High School Drama group will present the comedy of song and dance at McHale Performing Arts Center. Tickets, available online at https://www.mchalepac.com/, are $5 for students and $10 for general public admission. The 2-hour musical with a 15-minute intermission begins at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday as well as 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

Director Tony Kinney, who teaches English at the high school, chose this musical because "it's full of energy and it's electric. It's a throwback to the TV show and the movies," he said, admitting he was surprised at the number of students who were familiar with the movies.

The first movie was released in 1991 and based off of the 1964 television show as well as the original cartoon published by Charles Addams. But in the early 2000s, a theatrical adaptation was developed by playwrights Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice with music and lyrics provided by Andrew Lippa.

The unique sounds are what intrigued Sal Scagnoli, 18, who takes on the role of Gomez Addams. "The first number is a good way to start the show and the last will stick with the audience," he promises, explaining that in his role, "I'm able to be upstanding and impregnable, but also eccentric at the same time. We're a crazy family."

That's a running theme throughout the show that focuses on Wednesday, the daughter of Gomez and Morticia.

"The premise is that Wednesday falls in love with Lucas Beineke and because their families are so different, they're afraid their parents won't approve and let them be married. That's when chaos ensues," said Mackenzie Danely, 18, who sings alto in the chorus, which is a group of ancestors who provide advice and direction for the Addams family members.

When the families meet for dinner, Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, Pugsley, Uncle Fester, Grandmama and Lurch attempt to remain "normal" in the eyes of the Beinekes, but things go awry.

For example, said Amelia Bault, 18, who plays Alice Beineke, "my character is unsure of her son's involvement with Wednesday, especially once she meets the Addamses."

"But it's a crazy time we're living in," she said of the current situation with COVID-19, the closures, and travel bans, "and this musical reflects that craziness well."

Plus, added 17-year-old senior Evan Vaughan, who assumes the role of a pirate ancestor in the chorus, "This show has managed to stay timeless and relevant. They keep the macabre sense of humor about it. To do a dark, gothic, senior play and that the last show I get to be in has the same sense of humor that I do appeals to me on a personal level."

And a personal connection is what most of these high school thespians are enjoying about this year's musical production.

"It got me into dancing, again," said Danely. "I've always enjoyed singing, but dancing and singing together is so much fun."

For lead actress, Claire Fissel, 19, who plays Morticia, dancing became her favorite part of this show as well. "It's not often an (actress) gets to dance in a lead role," she said, admitting the tango is a highlight of her performance.

"Most of the time Morticia is suspicious of Gomez because he's keeping a secret. I'm trying to figure it out and learn what's going on," explained Fissel, adding that once her character does, it leads to the road of forgiveness but with a bit of chaos along the way.

But it's the chaos that provides the comedic relief, said Pugsley's portrayer, Eli Bault, 14, who will make his high school musical debut. "Pugsley is very eccentric and he's passionate about his family, which is so much fun to do."

"I like this type of comedy-musical at the end of the school year because it's less stressful and it's fun," he said.

Fifteen-year-old Kelsey Thomas agreed. "I was unsure about the musical to begin with, but now I love it. It's the most modern musical I've ever done. People will enjoy it. Some may even find it nostalgic, even with the addition of new elements. And, the music is incredible. There is a good message behind the story-telling."

Then, there's the fact that after being quarantined or stuck at home for whatever reason, Scagnoli said nothing is better at bringing people together than laughter. For the students, this musical — the first since 2019's Bye Bye Birdie — has provided a much-needed outlet in the pursuit of discovering some means of normal, again.

"Being back with this community of actors has made a world of difference," said Scagnoli. "The environment that we're living in with COVID has taken so much from people. This has been the first thing I've been able to do since it all began. I'm proud to be involved and it's been a privilege."

Reach Kristi Hileman at kristi.hileman@pharostribune.com or 574-732-5150