‘Ah, the intoxicating smell of the graveyard,” Chris Renaud exclaims, opening Concord High School’s production of The Addams Family: A New Musical Comedy in the role of pinstriped patriarch Gomez Addams. The morbid line kicks off a show heavy on dark humor that weaves in themes of love, loyalty, family and growth in the process.
The 2018-19 school year might as well be known as the year of The Addams Family for high school theater programs across the state. Beginning with the production at Kearsarge Regional High School in November, the offbeat clan came to life on stage at Londonderry High School in January, in Pittsfield in February, at The Derryfield School in March, and probably others as well. It will delight audiences once again at Concord High School in four shows spread across Thursday through Saturday.
The musical comedy opened on Broadway in 2010. Director Clint Klose acknowledged its recent popularity when he shared via email that “we wanted to perform a comedy this year and the first choice was The Addams Family. Numerous New Hampshire high schools have performed this, so we added our name to the list.”
Fans of the television show that debuted in the 1960s are sure to recognize some familiar characters, including Renaud’s Gomez and his wife Morticia, played by Emily Casko. However, in the musical adaptation, Wednesday (Rachel Revellese) is considerably older than her television counterpart and facing the daunting task of orchestrating a dinner to introduce her family to her boyfriend, Lucas Beineke (Jacob Marcus), and his parents. Mayhem ensues as the tight-knit Addams crew struggle to accept Wednesday’s newfound independence.
Myles Luongo as Uncle Fester, Casey Ingraham as Grandma Addams, Emma Hall as Pugsley Addams and Joshua Girouard as Lurch round out the family, while Dan Gaby as Mal Beineke and Maya Fabozzi as Alice Beineke appear as the parents of Lucas. Sixteen other actors make up the ensemble of Addams ancestors who return from the grave at the beginning of the show and contribute to the chaos throughout.
A group of student musicians under the direction of Gabe Cohen supply the pit orchestra. Beginning with a rendition of the iconic television show theme song, complete with synchronized finger snapping, they soundtrack Uncle Fester’s musings on love, the disastrous dinner party, an elaborate tango sequence and everything in between.
Klose pointed to the work of the students as the driving force behind the lively production.
“This is an incredibly strong cast, crew and pit. Everyone is dedicated and hardworking,” he said.
The show will run at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday with an additional 2 p.m. Saturday show. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. They are available online and will also be sold at the door.
“We are fortunate to have such strong support from the community,” Klose added.