PAAC Presents: The Addams Family
The Portsmouth Area Arts Council and Children’s Theater are presenting The Addams Family Musical from Friday, July 20th until Sunday, July 22 at the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts.
Showtimes for the event are 7PM on Friday, 2:30PM and 7PM on Saturday, and 2:30PM Sunday. Tickets for the event are $12, or $6 per student. They can be purchased by calling 740-351-3600 or by visiting vrcfa.com.
The Addams Family features an original story, separate from the movie and show, about every father’s nightmare. Gomez Addam’s daughter, Wednesday, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respective family- a man her parents can never meet. And if that wasn’t upsetting enough for the princess of darkness, Wednesday also confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez must do something he has never done- keep a secret from his beloved wife Morticia.
Everything will change for the whole family on one fateful night as they host a dinner for Wednesday’s normal boyfriend and his parents.
“This is a dark comedy in a very special, Addams family way,” explained PAAC Executive Director Becky Lovins. “All the characters are the same as you remember, but with the addition of Wednesday’s boyfriends family…The show has lots of nostalgia value. Anyone who has seen the show or movies is going to love it. And it’s hilarious with a great message and over-the-top characters. What’s not to love?”
The musical features around 30 area kids. But PAAC decided to cast a bit differently. They decided the show would be 13 and up and could also feature any previous alumni ranging up to 26 years old.
“This is the most diverse cast we’ve ever had,” said Lovins. “Kids from our very first show 8 years ago as seniors are coming back. As soon as we announced auditions we had a great response.”
“The first show we ever did as a theater was ‘Into the Woods’,” explained Elizabeth. Elizabeth graduated in 2014 and is coming back to play Grandma Addams. “It had 18 people. And you get really close to the people in a cast that small.”
“The Children’s Theater does amazing work. Some local theaters will make you pay upwards of $350 dollars per show to be involved. PAAC doesn’t. They let you do it for free. That’s why it’s an amazing organization.”
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been in theater,” said Briana. Briana is another alumni who will be playing one of the Addams family ancestors. “I heard about this play a year ago and I couldn’t wait to come be a part of it. I love the dances and the whole weird atmosphere.”
The Addams Family will feature more dance choreography than ever before.
“We have a really great teacher,” explained Emily, a local sophomore who plays another ancestor. “She goes over everything and even let’s us come up with some of the moves.”
The Scioto Voice asked the performers what their favorite part of the upcoming show would be.
“It’s a hoot and a holler,” said Elizabeth. “It’s a giant comedic farce, the entire thing is utter ridiculousness. But Grandma Addams is my absolute favorite. She is cooky and nuts- everything I aspire to be as a crazy cat lady.”
“The only shows I’ve been in had huge casts,” said Emily. “It’s nice for a small, intimate atmosphere.”
“This show has been very different from any others I’ve been involved in,” said Juliana who plays the lead role of Wednesday. “The characters are so much more real. They have a lot of variety and a lot of personality- it will be so much fun.”
PAAC is having a very special giveaway as well. They are creating pocket art, cast painted Addams family themed rocks, and hiding them around the community each day. Fans are encouraged to seek out these rocks, take a photo and post it the PAAC Facebook Page, and then receive 2 free tickets to the show. Thus far, three have been found but 2 remain at large.
And for a sneak peek into PAAC’s backstage, check out their snap chat @paac4kids. Each rehearsal night, a different member of the cast will ‘takeover’ the snap chat account for a very special look into the inner workings of the Children’s Theater.
Whether you are creepy, or kooky, mysterious or spooky, or perhaps altogether ooky- be sure to check out the Addams Family.
