The Carroll County High School Theatre Department will offer those feeling overwhelmed by Spring sprung on them with a little “creepy and kooky, mysterious and spooky” as the curtain goes up on The Addams Family musical on May 3 and May 4 at CCHS.
“It’s been a lot of fun! I was a little nervous. I’ve never done a musical before,” said English/Theater Teacher Kevin Sage. “The performances are set to begin at 7 p.m. each night. We’re going to be having it in the high school auditorium, which has been refurbished. I’m not sure if I’ve done the math correctly but I think we will be the first thing in the auditorium since it has been renovated other than something small like an assembly.”
Sage said the choice came down to he and Chorus Teacher Patricia Lineberry comparing lists of musicals they’d like to do with the Addams’ winning.
“I think pretty recently they had a Netflix show about Wednesday from The Addams Family and we felt it would be something identifiable and fun for the students. It worked. I think it is really recognizable now,” Sage said. “The whole theme is they raise their old Addams family members from the past. Tickets for the show are ten dollars with children six and younger getting in free.” (Tickets will be on sale at the door each night of the musical.)
The cast list for the two-act musical is as follows:
GOMEZ ADDAMS — Madison Smith Pagan
MORTICIA ADDAMS — Bethany Melton
UNCLE FESTER — Nathaniel Dalton
WEDNESDAY ADDAMS — Brooke Fichtel
GRANDMA — Rorie Bond
PUGSLEY ADDAMS — Brookes Bible
LURCH — Aidan Burnett
MAL BEINEKE — Louis Marshall
ALICE BEINEKE — Maddie Spencer
LUCAS BEINEKE — Braxton Poletti
THE ANCESTORS/Potential understudies — Jaiden Edwards, Madalyn Finch, Ellie Parker, Jacob Roberts, Rheanna Bunn and Abbie Cockerham.
Crew for the production include Maria Varela, Addyson Bullion, Maggie Manning, Chloe Davis, Delilah, Christena Hawks, Chloe Chappell, Lori Johnson and Natalia Esquivel.
While the family with a taste for the macabre conjures up a certain mindset, Sage, who is a first-time director in his first year at CCHS, has drawn off his acting experience in professional theatre in Florida.
“Even though I didn’t work as a director before it feels very natural to me. I really enjoyed the process and was very comfortable with it. The kids seem to be having a great time too so I figure I must be doing something right,” said Sage. “The cast I have...I must have won the lottery...they are really, really passionate about it. I had no problem getting 110 percent every rehearsal.”
According to Sage, the company is an even mix of experienced and first-time young actors who have tried to make each character a little bit their own while keeping the characters recognizable. Being an ensemble has had other benefits for the cast.
“A lot of good friendships have come out between the students. Now they are really like their own fun group, if you will. I’ve heard groups of them have went out and spent time together outside of performances. That’s been a real nice thing. They must feel comfortable. We’re laughing during rehearsals,” Sage said. “We have a couple who are leads that told me they saw the poster and had never been in theater and the next thing you know they are huge characters and part of the cast community. For a lot of them...and me... it’s become one of their favorite parts of the day, the rehearsal process.”
He said the production has benefitted from the Yadkin Arts Council, who loaned them a lot of props which will be used as major set pieces (The Surry Arts Council directed them to Yadkin).
“It’s been a great ride so far. I’m excited for these last weeks as we start polishing and put the last pieces together,” Sage said. “We have a nice blend of students who have done this before and students who wanted to try something new and wound up really shining.”
David Broyles may be reached at 276-779-4013 or on “X” at CarrollNewsDave
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