SCOTCH PLAINS/FANWOOD — Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School Repertory Theatre is gearing up to present this year’s musical production of The Addams Family. Based on the original characters created by Charles Addams, a native of Westfield, The Addams Family follows the Addamses, a macabre clan who delight in darkness and care little for the opinions of others.
Performances will take place on Thursday, March 14, at 7 p.m.; Friday, March 15, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, March 16, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, March 17, at 2 p.m. The show will be staged in the Manya Ungar Memorial Auditorium at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, located at 667 Westfield Road, Scotch Plains. While The Addams Family is a spooky, silly musical for all ages, it contains some macabre imagery and adult references.
A comical feast that embraces the wackiness in every family, The Addams Family features an original story and it is every father’s nightmare: Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family — a man her parents have never met.
“ The Addams Family is a hysterically spooky send-up of the all-American nuclear family,” director Morgan Knight said when asked about the production. “Each Addams is an unhinged inversion of a stereotype, and twists the knife into our concept of normalcy.” And yet, while they revel in darkness and despair, the Addamses are a loving family who value honesty, integrity and truth above all. “ The Addams Family finds humor in life’s one inevitable truth: death is just around the corner, and it reminds us that we should face it boldly and with laughter,” according to an overview of the show.
The Addams Family production involves over 75 students, including the cast, crew and live student orchestra. The show is under the direction and creative supervision of Morgan Knight (director), Jan Allen (producer and music director), Courtney Nemec (producer and assistant director), Kyra Robinson (choreographer), Trey Shore (Pit Orchestra conductor), Joseph Napolitano (set designer), Evan Perrotta (technical director and crew supervisor), Christian Confalone (lighting designer) and Joanne Sprague (costume designer).
Tickets for The Addams Family are on sale now. They may be purchased in advance online at www.spfhsrep.com and are $20 for adults and $18 for students and senior adults. To make arrangements for discounted tickets, seniors may contact Danielle Romanyshyn via email at danannrom@gmail.com. Tickets also may be purchased at the door, but they tend to sell fast, and the shows often sell out.
Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School Repertory Theatre strives to make its performances and facilities enjoyable and accessible to its audiences. Accessible seating is available for those with mobility challenges; contact Danielle Romanyshyn at danannrom@gmail.com to request special seating. Handicap-parking spaces are located near Door 1 and are available on a first-come, first served basis to those displaying official license plates or placards. Based on individual needs, efforts will be made to provide early seating prior to general admission.
The cast of The Addams Family also will host a special Character Breakfast on Saturday, March 9, at The Presbyterian Church in Westfield, located at 140 Mountain Avenue, Westfield. The breakfast will begin at 10 a.m. and the cost is $10 per person. Breakfast and refreshments will be provided.
Guests will meet their favorite characters — such as Wednesday, Uncle Fester and Morticia — as the cast introduces families to their spooky, kooky world. Diners also will be treated to a live musical performance by the Addamses themselves.
After the breakfast, families may wish to enjoy a self-guided tour through the streets of Westfield to walk the same paths as Charles Addams and find the inspiration for the famous Addams Family mansion. This event is family-friendly, and families with children of all ages are welcome.
