'Addams Family' comes to life at MLHS
Richard Byrd/Columbia Basin Herald The Addams family was brought to Moses Lake High School Friday night by the school’s theater department.
Richard Byrd/Columbia Basin Herald Uncle Fester (Olivia Carrell), back right, isn’t quite sure what to do when Alice Beineke (Karlye Shank) crawls up onto the table during dinner and seemingly passes out.
Richard Byrd/Columbia Basin Herald Wednesday Addams (Claire Smith) hits a high note as her little brother Pugsley Addams (Dricher Von Gesulga) looks on.
MOSES LAKE — They’re creepy and they’re kooky, mysterious and spooky, they’re altogether ooky, they’re….only in high school? It’s kind of hard to believe the talented cast in Moses Lake High School’s production of “The Addams Family” haven’t even earned their diplomas yet but were able to capture the overall feel of America's favorite creepy family that first entertained audiences in the mid-1960s.
“I love high school theater because these kids do it for the fun of it. These kids aren’t getting paid, but do it with such passion and put so many hours into it, that you just have to respect it. Plus, the end product was amazing in this case, despite most of these kids probably not even recognizing how iconic the source material was,” Glenn Archer remarked during Friday night’s performance.
Friday night marked the opening of MLHS’ presentation of the play, with other shows entertaining audiences on Saturday and additional performances scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 10 and 11, and 2 p.m. Nov. 11. The Addams Family is based on the cartoons of Charles Addams, who thought up the odd family in 1938. Two television shows, two movies and a musical followed in the years after the family was first brought to life by Addams.
The musical first debuted on Broadway in 2010 and follows the lead of the 1991 movie. The musical was created by “Jersey Boys” authors Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. Viewers are taken into a strange world where reality is stranger than fantasy.
“I really only came to see the play because my cousin is in it and the only thing I knew about it was that theme song with the snapping. I was really surprised at how dark some of themes were, but at the same time it was absolutely hilarious and something that I would definitely come see again,” Sarah Meyer stated.
The musical takes the audience into a little snippet of time. Wednesday Addams (Claire Smith) falls in love with Lucas Beineke (Garrett McLain) and confides her undying love for him to Gomez Addams (Deacon Garza), the patriarch of the Addams family.
Gomez does something he has never done before and hides his daughter’s relationship from his beloved Morticia Addams (Rachel Law). When Lucas’ parents come over for dinner, they are introduced to the kookiness of Wednesday’s family.
Complete with catchy musical numbers, engaging characters and a plotline that leads audience members on a wild ride of laughs and “aww” moments, the MLHS theatre department had their work cut out for them to put their own spin on the adventures of America’s favorite bizarre clan.
“They nailed it. I mean they really did. It reminded me of watching the show on TV with my grandparents when I was a kid and it just brought back so much nostalgia,” Karla Stephens said.
Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.