‘The Addams Family’ haunts stage at GHS this weekend

Portraying the Addams family in Greencastle High School’s production this weekend are (back) Connor Crary (Lurch); middle row (from left): Carter Brown (Fester), Ben Wilkerson (Gomez), Eihi Yoshinaga (Morticia); and front (from left): Michael Thede (Pugsley), Winter Prewitt (Wednesday) and Paige Kaiser (Grandma).

Banner Graphic/Eric Bernsee

Beloved television shows from the 1960s are all the rage these days, so what better old situation comedy for Greencastle High School to stage than “The Addams Family.”

The musical will be presented Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 21-23 at 7:30 p.m. in Parker Auditorium at GHS.

The musical comedy (music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice) is based upon ghoulish, eccentric cartoon characters created by Charles Addams.

The show opened on Broadway in 2010 starring Nathan Lane as Gomez and Bebe Neuwirth as Morticia.

The musical begins with the Addams family visiting the family graveyard to celebrate with all of the dead ancestors what it means to be an Addams. Uncle Fester (played by Carter Brown) decides not to allow the ancestors to return to their graves at the end of the celebration because Wednesday (Winter Prewitt) is in love and, in Fester’s mind, needs their help.

Wednesday has invited her “normal” boyfriend Lucas Beineke (played by Dayan Martinez) to dinner along with his parents, Mal (Michael White) and Alice (Lauren Hopper).

While torturing her brother Pugsley (Michael Thede) on a rack, Wednesday admits that love is pulling her in a new direction. Meanwhile, Wednesday’s parents Morticia (Eihi Yoshinaga) and Gomez (Ben Wilkerson) worry about the change in Wednesday since she seems too happy.

From the moment Lurch, the family’s butler (played by Connor Crary), ushers the Beinekes into the Addams’ mansion, tensions begin to mount. Wednesday has instructed the family to act normal, but Pugsley, Fester, and Grandma (Paige Kaiser) fail miserably at this assignment.

Meanwhile, the ever-present ancestors — unseen by the Beinekes -- delight in watching the action. Playing Addams ancestors are Sydney Anderson, Savannah Black, Bella Green, Kendra Hanlon, Eli Hardwick, Kiana Hewitt, Joey Kleffman, Cassie Koers, Makayla Long, Amelia Mathis, Jessica Mulryan, Collin Short, Ben Staggers and Brian Stewart.

Amy Thomas and Beth Bax are directing the production with music direction by Osvaldo Gil. Set designer and builder is Amie Bailey, and Aaron Geiger is assistant director.

All seats are $8 and may be purchased at the door or from the GHS bookstore during show week.