The Addams Family, originally created as a television series in 1964, was based on cartoon characters made by Charles Addams, an American cartoonist. The show only aired for two years, but has left a lasting impression on the entertainment and fine arts industries.
The Addams Family characters are odd and mysterious, intentionally being juxtaposed from the traditional American family. They have unexplained abilities that differentiate them from others and cause them to come off as bizarre. The story focuses on them and how they develop while living their lives as the strange characters that they are.
This spring, the Marietta theater program put together a show on the Addams family, and performed it in late March in the performing arts center. The show focused on a main character Wednesday, planning to marry a commoner named Lucas and attempting to introduce him to her odd family. It had various components that made it intriguing and popular among MHS students and others in the Marietta community.
“The show appeals to our actors and has commercial appeal to our community given that the Netflix series Wednesday is very popular. Additionally, the show has the perfect blend of sincerity and hilarity,” Holly Smith, the MHS theater teacher, said.
While being very popular, it was not a simple endeavor for the theater program. It required countless hours of work and preparation to put on the show. The building of the extensive sets, the collection of specific props, and the creation of unique costumes was a challenge for the tech theater classes.
Since certain characters were so specific, each one required a different set of skills to bring to the stage. Characters ranged from the mysterious members of the Addams family to people that appeared as normal and common, adding an element of surprise to the production.
“Our favorite aspect of the performance is the characterization each actor brings to their roles. From our kooky grandma to Charlie Chaplin — they all bring exciting characters to the stage,” Smith said.
The actors and actresses enjoyed the many ensemble numbers in the show that allowed everyone to have a part to prepare for regardless of if it was a main character in the show or not.
“We have a lot of people in the cast and everyone gets a good amount of time on stage. I like being in all the ensemble numbers but still being a part of the family,” Bella Schneider (11), playing the French Queen ancestor in the show, said.
Historically, the costumes in The Addams Family show have been a main draw for audiences as they add a sense of spunk that is different from typical television shows. As a result, a main aspect of the show that sparked the attention of participants and spectators was the creative outfits that were created and worn.
“I really like the costumes in the show. We have to look dead, so doing my makeup before each rehearsal and show is so much fun,” Schneider said.
As a whole, the theater department works to create a show each year, contributing classes, time for dress rehearsals, and three different show dates. The maintenance of putting together a show requires cooperation and strength of the teachers and theater students.
“I love working with other people and performing. Showing off a good production you’ve worked so hard on is amazing,” Schneider said.
Overall, the performance was a huge success that appealed to adults and students. The portrayal of each of the characters and the relation to the Netflix series, Wednesday, as well as the original The Addams Family series created a memorable production from the MHS theater program this year.
