Creepy, kooky 'Addams' heads to West Branch stage
West Branch High School’s kicks off its 2023-24 theatrical season Nov. 2 with a musical that can only be described as crazy, spooky and kooky.
Over the weekend that immediately follows Halloween, West Branch Community Auditorium will play host to “The Addams Family” and featuring student actors from multiple grades in the school district.
Shows will be staged at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2 and Nov. 4, and at 3 p.m. Nov. 5. There’s no show Nov. 3, because district officials are hopeful the Warriors football team will be playing a playoff game. The 9-1 team plays its first playoff game at home Friday night against Woodridge, which finished the regular season 5-5.
Officials with the music department said they’re excited to bring the show back to Beloit.
“The music and acting skills required of our students to produce this show have both challenged and pushed them to grow as musicians,” said director Krista Clay. “Their dedication and hard work will be seen on stage as they sing, dance, tap and tango in this energized show!”
Andrew Lippa’s musical features 20 songs, all woven around minor-key Latin rhythms and suitably chilling dissonant harmonies.
The center of the story involves Wednesday Addams’ invitation to an ordinary boy, Lucas Beineke, to dinner along with his family. She begs her family to behave by diminishing their eerie-like tendencies. Of course, after the Beinekes arrive, the Addamses simply cannot behave normally.
Sophomore Gavin Clay, son of Corey and Krista Clay, takes on Gomez Addams. He has performed in many shows at West Branch, and was last seen in April as the villain Prince Hans in “Frozen.”
Senior Charity Glista brings elegance and unique terror to her Morticia Addams. The daughter of Krista Harris last was last seen at West Branch as one of Cinderella’s stepsisters in “Into the Woods.”
Junior Peter Blanchard brings humor to his Uncle Fester. The son of Matt and Becky Blanchard most recently was seen as Jack in “Into the Woods.”
Senior Haley Close is Wednesday Addams’ soon-to-be mother in law Alice. The daughter of Scott & Sarah Close most recently appeared as Queen Elsa in “Frozen.” Senior Christian Mikol will entertain audiences as Mal, Wednesday’s soon-to-be father-in-law. Mikol is the son of Christopher and Tammy Mikol.
Sophomore Alli Kanagy will appear as Wednesday Addams. The daughter of David and Mikki Kanagy has been showing her many talents on the West Branch stage since she was just in elementary school, and plays the seemingly emotionless Wednesday with just the right amount of comedy. Taking the stage as the cigar-smoking, tortured Pugsley Addams is seventh-grader Landon Hobbins, the son of Bryan and Tiffany Hobbins. He has appeared in several West Branch shows.
Another regular is senior Kate Slutz, this time playing the crazy-spirited little Grandma. Kate has been in many productions on the West Branch stage and is the daughter of Tom and Debi Slutz. Freshman Mason Brown will play Lucas Beineke, a handsome all-American guy looking for love. The son of Christopher and Christine Brown last was seen as the lovable Oaken in “Frozen.” Sophomore Mollie McDorman will bring giggles as Cousin It. The daughter of John and Nikki Gossett appeared as Sven the reindeer in “Frozen.” Jude Corallo will portray Lurch the butler. The son of Dr. Marco and Janelle Corallo, he last was seen as King Agnarr in “Frozen.”
Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. All seats, which attendees may pick themselves, are reserved and available at wbmusic.org. Tickets may also be purchased by calling the box office at 330-938-2183, ext. 37358, or at the door.
‘The Addams Family’ crew and choruses
The cast and crew of “The Addams Family” includes nearly 75 students and volunteers. Local voice teacher Bill Ambert has coached many of the principal role holders, preparing them for the show.
Krista Clay is music director and artistic director, while Tessa Wells serves as choreographer and assistant artistic director. Stage and set design have been led by Joe Courtwright and artist Kevin Hoopes.
Assisting with the set are Bryan Hobbins, Tiffany Hobbins, Kimberly Courtwright, Michele Hoopes and students in the stage crew, which is led by Adam Corallo and Stella Zippay. Design of the lobby is by Debi Slutz, Andrea Zippay, Jen Karlen and Leisha Crutchley, among others. Stacey Aldridge is costume director. Technical crew includes Corey Clay, Eric Waggoner, Krista Clay and Regan Daley.
Ancestor Chorus – Cooper Ruthrauff, Logan Crutchley, Kammie McDorman, Jack Mudger, Marek Handy, Wyatt Meisenheimer, Ashton Clay, Nicholas Burson, Amanda Strong, Abigail Janosik, Ariana Aldridge, Gabby Cline, Raelyn Walker, Noelle Shutler, Lily Scofinsky, Jenna Mudger, Emma McLaughlin, Ashe Cutlip, Olivia Leach, Anastaczia Schumaker, Sierra Williams, Riley Rohr, Adelia Meisenheimer, Amelia Corallo, Faith Hicks, Deanna Cameron, Susan Jones, Annabelle McManus, Katlynn Kicielinski, Kelsie McConnell, Cheyenne Herrington, Morgan Day, Marissa Mountz and Caroline Claeys. Ashton Clay, Wyatt Meisenheimer, Logan Crutchley, Riley Rohr, Cooper Ruthrauff, Abigail Janosik, Amanda Strong and Ariana Aldridge play the leading ancestor roles.
Tap chorus – Marek Handy, Wyatt Meisenheimer, Ashton Clay, Abigail Janosik, Ariana Aldridge, Noelle Shutler, Jenna Mudger, Lily Scofinsky, Emma McLaughlin and Sophia Ayers. Taught by Tessa Wells.
This article originally appeared on The Alliance Review: Creepy, kooky 'Addams Family' heads to West Branch theater stage
