After last spring’s rendition of “High School Musical,” Amherst County High School theater instructor Patricia Emmert was in the mood for something a bit darker this year.
Enter The Addams Family.
The popular fictional household featured in cartoons, sitcoms and films is coming to life this week on stage at ACHS following nine weeks of rehearsals. Emmert said in addition to serving as a “really fun” musical, the production has nine lead roles that allow for plenty of sharing of the spotlight when her cast takes the stage.
Though a step into the macabre, Emmert said the nearly 60 students taking part in the production have embraced the material fully.
“They love it,” Emmert said during a recent rehearsal in preparation for Thursday’s opening night at 7 p.m. “They really enjoy the depth of how it is written. There’s a lot of physical humor, too.”
The aristocratic clan includes “real strong characters,” according to Emmert, like Gomez and Morticia, their children Wednesday and Pugsley, family members Uncle Fester and Grandmama, butler Lurch, the disembodied hand Thing and Cousin Itt.
Emmert said people may think of the family as odd and weird, but their experiences of falling in love and dealing with an approaching marriage is a common scenario most will notice similarities to with their own kin.
“What they’re going through is very normal,” she said. “It’s really about family. It’s very relatable.”
Senior Simon Ramsey, who plays Gomez, was introduced to theater this year and said he really likes it.
“I thought it would be a good opportunity to try out and see what role I could get. I wasn’t expecting to get lead, but I’m glad it happened,” Ramsey said. “It’s a lot of fun. It’s good to be involved and devote yourself to it.”
Emmert said this will mark Ramsey’s first show and described him as a hard worker.
“You can’t ask for more,” she said of his efforts.
Emilie Bozik, a senior, plays Morticia, a character she said “will hold a grudge until the end.”
“I love playing her,” Bozik said of the role that has challenged her at times. “I’m not a serious person. I will laugh at anything. It’s difficult for me to play a serious part.”
Bozik said she’s done musicals for the past three years, and this one is a little dark, but that’s what makes it interesting. She also enjoys the diversity in characters.
“Everyone is so different from each other, and I think that really defines the play in itself,” Bozik said, adding she personally likes the dark and creepy elements. “It’s right up your alley if you like that kind of stuff, and if not, still, it’s not scary at all. It’s very enjoyable.”
Ramsey, portraying an eccentric character caught in the crosshairs of trying to please his wife and daughter, said the production may be different from what most audience members have seen live, and he recommends the experience.
“Thematically, it’s a bit different than a lot of other high school plays,” Ramsey said. “It’s very quirky, very strange, but it’s also, I think, pretty fun. It’s got a lot of character it.”
Emmert said the play will showcase how “loving and adorable family can be” and is looking forward to the authenticity, creativity and fun it will unleash for the students and the audience.
“Live theater is such a beautiful thing,” she said of the audience’s role. “You’re a part of the show. Your laughter, your response, is feeding into the show. That’s what I love about it.”