PdC presents ‘The Addams Family Musical’ comedy
Practices for The Addams Family Musical at Prairie du Chien High School are going strong. On Oct. 23, the theater students worked on energy and expression, along with perfecting their lines. Pictured, Morticia (aka Ellie Mara, left) and Gomez (Jonah Hornseth (center) react to learning their daughter, Wednesday (Ally Schroeder, right), is getting married. Chaos develops around them. (Photos by Correne Martin)
Ally Schroeder plays Wednesday Addams, the irresistible bundle of malice, in this year’s fall musical. She’s all grown up in the musical and has found love, which his a problem because her fiancé is from a much different world than that of the Addams family and its values.
Dylan Skime sings and acts as Uncle Fester in the ensemble song, “Full Disclosure.” He reveals he’s in love with the moon.
Prairie du Chien High School students Ellie Mara and Jonah Hornseth portray Morticia and Gomez, two of the main characters in The Addams Family Musical. The Courier Press got a sneak peek into the entire cast and crew practice last evening.
By Correne Martin
The creepy and kooky, mysterious and spooky characters of “The Addams Family” will be portrayed by Prairie du Chien High School theater students when the Drama Hawks perform their fall musical Friday and Saturday, Nov. 8 and 9. Showtimes are 7 p.m. both days and an 11 a.m. matinee Saturday. Tickets may be purchased in the high school office or online at paac.ludus.com (where purchasers can enjoy $1 off admission).
“The Addams Family Musical,” a new comedy, was selected by the district vocal music teacher and first-year director, Deedee Bradshaw, because of its fresh script, memorable music and suitability for a strong female-led cast.
“This (satire) is obviously different from ‘Seussical’ (the fantasy musical last spring),” Bradshaw said. “It has bright, catchy music. It’s funny. I thought this was something the kids could get really excited about.”
Lots of new additions to the production have been added, enthralling the young theater students, and hopefully audiences, all the more.
The story of “The Addams Family Musical”—by Andrew Lippa, Marshall Brinkman and Rick Elice—takes place after the familiar Addams family television show, in the mansion.
“Wednesday is falling in love and changing. She’s trying to become normal and her family doesn’t understand,” Bradshaw explained. “Wednesday is inviting her fiancé over for dinner to have their parents meet, and only Gomez knows she’s engaged.
“A lot of chaos ensues.”
The rest, Bradshaw said, she wishes to leave as a surprise for the school’s audiences.
The entire production is two and a half hours long, with an intermission.
For the first time in a long time, the high school musical will feature an addition of a community pit orchestra, which includes four students playing alongside musicians from the general public. The front of the stage, inside the Prairie du Chien Area Art Center theater, actually raises and lowers, so it will be left down for the orchestra seating.
Musical-goers can expect greater versatility in this production’s special effects, including the use of fog machines, with the intent to further engage audience members. That, in addition to lighting and choreography, sound and makeup is all contributed to by the students.
Bradshaw said, there will also be more moving pieces and curtain work than usual, and the crew has created many of the unearthly, museum-like rooms in the Addams family mansion.
“We’re trying to stay true to costuming for the main characters, but the ensemble will be dressed up in zombie clothes and makeup,” she added, smiling.
The main cast includes Ellie Mara as Morticia, Jonah Hornseth as Gomez and Ally Schroeder as Wednesday. Katelyne Lutz will be Wednesday’s understudy. Dylan Skime is playing Uncle Fester.
The kicker, within the cast, is that Lurch, the butler, will be played by none other than Prairie du Chien’s high school principal himself, Andy Banasik.
“No one is going to want to miss this,” Bradshaw said, noting that Banasik’s part involves a lot of groaning and shaking his head in disgust.
Collaborating with Bradshaw for the musical are music teacher and new assistant director Amy Pham; Lisa Miller, who is returning to do set and costuming; and Matt Lenz on sound.
The cast and crew have been working daily since the second week of the school year on “The Addams Family.” They’re thrilled to present three shows to the public and hope people will come out for a few laughs.
It’s entirely coincidental that this particular musical was chosen and now the animated version of the Addams family’s story is also currently in theaters. Now, the hope is that it will help create more interest and attendance.
This is a musical for the whole family, Bradshaw said, as kids will love the songs and characters, and everyone will enjoy the outlandish comedy.
She said, “I think people will walk away getting to know a new side of the Addams family.”
