As the school bell rings to dismiss students, Junior Bailey Griffin rushes over to the Mansfield Performing Arts Center with her fellow cast members to begin another day of rehearsal as Morticia Addams. After three months of practice, drama’s production of The Addams Family will open Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. at the PAC, running until Feb. 6.
“I’m most looking forward to finally be in front of an audience with my cast,” Griffin said, “We truly all became a family from working together and I’m crazy proud of all of them so to see them perform their hearts out and finally get the recognition they deserve makes me overjoyed.”
The last musical, Urinetown, was performed at the Legacy PAC, and according to Theater teacher Kelsey Scott, required much less preparation. The Addams Family features more dancing and a bigger orchestra to pair with the more complicated music.
“It’s exciting to see all of it come together,” Ms. Scott said. “[The students] have worked so hard and they are the epitome of each character, it will be so fun for everyone to see them shine.”
Junior Hope Jimenez, who has the role of Alice Beineke, acknowledges the fact that rehearsals last long and exhaust everyone involved. But regardless of the hard work it takes, she believes that once all of the pieces have fallen into place, the hours of rehearsal will pay off.
“This musical fits our department well,” Jimenez said, “It’s weird and it’s funny; we’re kind of weird, but we’re also good with comedy, so it’s going to be a good show.”
[Theater Students Build Set at The Center]
Theater teacher Jeremy Ferman’s excitement for opening night comes from the belief that theater should be seen by people other than the performers, by an audience that can see the “spectacle,” as he describes it, and the hard work put into the show.
“I think the show is going to surprise people in a good way,” Mr. Ferman said, “It has great conflict within the characters, nice twists and tons of humor. It will be epic.”
Since rehearsals started at the end of October, Ferman believes everyone involved has put incredible effort into the production. From the Theater Tech class who created the set and the orchestra who will play the music, to the actors and actresses who have memorized lines, choreography and lyrics. Although Griffin feels nervous about being as graceful and confident as Morticia Addams, she feels obligated to do her best.
“The most rewarding part of this show, and any show really, is making my directors proud,” Griffin said. “They work so hard for us, so being able to give them a good show is unbelievably rewarding.”
Tickets for the show will be $7 for students and $10 for adults, showings will be at 7 p.m. each night, Feb. 4 through Feb. 6.
