Gilbertsville-Mount Upton’s Drama Club treated the community to the opening performance of “The Addams Family” on Friday night at the GMU Auditorium.
Presented through a special arrangement with Theatrical Rights Worldwide, “The Addams Family” is a new musical comedy about an unlikely romance that brings two very different families together. Based on the book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elise, the eccentric Addams family must work through turmoil stemming from daughter Wednesday’s engagement to boyfriend Lucas. Secrets, deceit and confusion ensue when the families meet for the first time, but both sides eventually learn that love conquers all.
Originally produced on Broadway, this two-act performance features Gavin Bonczkowski as patriarch Gomez Addams and leading lady Anika Christensen as his wife, Morticia. Kacie Turnbull plays conflicted Wednesday Addams, who finds that she is hopelessly in love with soon-to-be husband Lucas (Tait Christensen).
Other key cast members are Maya Farwell (Fester), Hannah Bonczkowski (Pugsley), Isaiah Stockwood (Mal), Emily Hammond (Alice), Kailah Davis (Grandma), Brackon Banks (Lurch), and Ella Stockdale (Cousin It). Ariana Cornell, Avriel Correll, Kaleigh Gee, Natalie Raymond, Tavian Raymond, Alyssa Sorochinsky and Lindsay Turnbull play supporting roles as ancestors who are forbidden to return to their graves until true love prevails.
Airyana Wright manages a stage crew consisting of Alexis Clement, Kallie Cole, Brendon Eastman, Barbara Fletcher, Kendra Hammond, Emma Peck, Mason Prentice, Lauren Radwan and Morgan Williams.
The production team features Tyler Lindsley (lighting and sound design/choreographer), Carrie D’Amato (costume design), Jackie Turnbull (props), John Turnbull (set construction) and Ashley Hughes (poster design).
Musical Director Nathan Sloan and Assistant Musical Director Anne Monaco guide an orchestra led by conductor Will Gilchrest to complement the on-stage story throughout. The orchestra highlights the talents of Todd Loucks (percussion), Matthew Downey (guitar), MW Degan (bass), Anne Monaco (reed 1), Joel Perkosky (reed 2), Matt Oram (trumpet), Becky Sabin (trombone), Winnie Sortman (keyboard 1), Cheryl Ernst (keyboard 2), and Steve Sabin (cello).
The GMU Drama Club thanks Jennifer Shapley, Chris D’Amato, Worcester Drama Club, Windsor Drama Club, GMU Booster Club, Mirabito Holdings Inc., A&E Thrift Store and Rainbows End for helping to make this show possible.
If you missed Friday’s opener, there are two more opportunities to see “The Addams Family” as encore performances are scheduled for 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday at the GMU Auditorium. Admission is $5 or a free-will donation.
Visit our Facebook page to see dozens of photos from Friday's performance!
Posted 11/9/19