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The Luverne High School drama department will bring “creepy and kooky, mysterious and spooky” characters to life in “The Addams Family: The Musical.”
The first of five performances of the musical comedy starts tonight, Thursday April 27. Others are Tuesday, May 2 (recently added), and Thursday, Friday and Saturday, May 4, 5 and 6, in the school’s performing arts center.
All performances begin at 7 p.m.
Director Shawn Kinsinger said he chose the production for its humor and songs.
“Much of the singing in The Addams Family is not the typical choral singing you would hear at one of the high school choir concerts,” he said.
“This gives the students the chance to experiment with different styles and techniques. The humor in this show is great.”
The large cast features Addams Family characters of:
•Gomez Addams portrayed by senior Parker Carbonneau.
•Morticia Addams, by sophomore Bri Kinsinger.
•Wednesday Addams, by junior Alex Perkins.
•Pugsley Addams, by freshman James DeBates.
•Uncle Fester, by sophomore Xavier McKenzie.
•Grandmama, by freshman Rebecca Hoogland.
•Lurch, by sophomore Chase Matthiesen.
•Cousin It, by senior Myles Trimble.
The plot centers around the Addams Family annual gathering at the family crypt to celebrate their ancestors (living, dead and undecided) when it is discovered that Wednesday has fallen in love with a “normal” boy and is getting married.
This boy and his family, the Beinekes, are coming to dinner to meet Wednesday and her family. Wednesday convinces Gomez to keep the engagement from Morticia so they can try to act as “normal” as possible to win them over.
Uncle Fester has decided that, to help Wednesday, the ancestors will not be allowed back into the crypt until they’ve helped Wednesday seal the deal.
Pugsley, however, has a different idea and his mischief with one of Grandmama’s potions adds a twist to the dinner.
“This sets the stage for an ‘eventful’ evening for everyone involved,” Kinsinger said.
Other cast members include the Beineke family: dad Mal, (freshman Zander Carbonneau), mom Alice, (junior Abby Boltjes) and Wednesday’s boyfriend (Lucas, freshman Elijah Henrichs).
•Ancesters are Hallie Pergande, Steven Wood, Priscilla Muehr, Audrie DeBates, Andrea Luitjens, Brooke Vis, Lexi Berg, Brooklyn Wicks, Nora Louwagie, Janica Oechsle, Bethany Behr, Chris Bonilla, Hunter Cope and Ashlyn Johnson.
“The group of ancestors are all individual characters themselves,” Kinsinger said. “This allows each student to bring their ancestor to life in their own creative ways.”
A large production crew supports the students on stage.
They are stage manager Kaitlin Conger, Makayla Oechsle, Isabella Benson, Travis Schempp, Korben Fisher, Egypt Forrest, Zoey Berghorst, Cam Aukes, Austin Morseman, Elizabeth Mulder and Andrew Kinsinger.
Director Kinsinger said the students are excited about the musical, which features elaborate sets that raise and lower from the art center’s ceiling. This feature was part of the PAC’s construction completed two years ago.
“Luverne has always supported live theater in our community and we are thankful for that,” Kinsinger said.
“We look forward to showing off what the new performing arts center can do. … It’s an absolute spectacle of a set.”
Parents Cody Henrichs and Mike Carbonneau helped construct the Addams mansion and various wheeled scenery for the two-act play.
The music, however, keeps the action moving, Kinsinger said.
“The music is top-notch and the students are excited about it,” he said.
“The characters are fun, and not just the family that everyone is familiar with — there is a group of dead ancestors that show up in the beginning that is full of odd and peculiar characters that hang around throughout the entire show.”