Lincoln-Way West Pulls Out All The Stops In 'Addams Family Musical'

NEW LENOX, IL — Audience members at the upcoming performances of Lincoln-Way West's "The Addams Family Musical" are in for quite a show.

The high school production team of Director Connie Johnson, Choreographer Jill Rector, Lighting and Technical Director Tyler Dawson, Orchestra Director Cary Ruklic and Musical Director/Producer Tom Venutolo wanted to make sure that the graduating seniors could experience being a part of an epic production, following missed opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the support of the LincoIn-Way West administration and all of the program parents, the production team has pulled out all the stops.

"In addition to phenomenal acting and singing by the talented students, the audience can expect to be wowed by the two-story set, polished dance routines, detailed makeup, handmade costumes and animated projections," said Johnson.

The students started preparing in January, with weekly acting and dance rehearsals, and the pit orchestra and vocalists have also been rehearsing together for many weeks. The week before the show, the cast has rehearsed on the set, designed by James Rector of Jate Design.

A synopsis of the show tells of "a comical feast that embraces the kookiness in every family, features an original story and it’s 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. And if that wasn’t upsetting enough, Wednesday confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before– keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents."

The show features Oliver Fennessy as "Gomez Addams," Addyson Cuthbertson as "Morticia," Miles Adler as "Fester," Katie Bavirsha as "Grandma Addams," Lexi Gilboe as "Wednesday," Kaleigh Buda as "Pugsley," Tristin Hilton-Carlson as "Lurch," Nick Marchigiani as "Mal Beineke," Stella Coughlin as "Alice Beineke," and Nolan Adam as "Lucas Beineke."

"The show offers a little bit of everything, humor, drama, a Broadway style kick line and amazing vocal harmonies," Johnson said.

There will be four performances of the show, to be held at Lincoln-Way West, 21701 S. Gougar Rd.:

• Friday, April 21 at 7 p.m.
• Saturday, April 22 at 1 p.m.
• Saturday, April 22 at 7 p.m.
• Sunday, April 23 at 3 p.m.

"It's been quite a whirlwind putting a production this large together, but we wanted to offer this experience to as many students as possible," Johnson said. "It wouldn't have been feasible without the support of our dedicated LWW parents."

Tickets are available in advance online, and at the door if not sold out.