The Addams Family Comes to Ossining High School

Ossining High School’s drama students are stepping into the delightfully macabre world of The Addams Family for this year’s spring musical, bringing a blend of gothic elegance, humor, and heart to the stage. The production, running from March 19-22 in the OHS Auditorium, promises audiences a night of eerie charm and sharp wit.

For Drew DiRienzo, Ossining’s Theater Director and Drama teacher, selecting The Addams Family was a deliberate choice to balance the school's theatrical season. “Our fall play was quite heavy and dramatic, so I wanted the spring show to be lighter in tone,” he explained. “Additionally, I currently have some fantastic comedic actors on my roster, and I want to showcase their talents.”

At the heart of the show is Morticia Addams, played by senior Saniyah Fisher, who embraced the challenge of portraying the iconic character.

“I never played a character like this before,” Fisher admitted. “I definitely had to change my voice to speak in a more Morticia-like tone. I use a dramatic pitch, going lower and then swooping up at the end of sentences.”

To fully embody Morticia’s commanding presence, Fisher also adopted distinct mannerisms.

“I gave myself a couple of stances that Morticia would do while she talks and dances, but I also use my own facial expressions—making my eyes really big when she’s being dramatic or raising my eyebrows when she’s confident.”

The balance of Morticia’s mystery and humor was another layer Fisher worked to master.

“I feel like Morticia uses her dark nature to bring out her humor,” she said. “Especially when I sing her songs, I make sure to express her jokes with my voice while keeping the mysterious tones in my facial expressions.”

Opposite Fisher’s Morticia is sophomore Christian Hennessy, who steps into the role of the charismatic and devoted Gomez Addams. For Hennessy, preparing for the role came naturally, thanks to the close bond he formed with the cast.

“To prepare for the role was not that challenging,” he shared. “One thing that made it easy to ease into the role was the idea that these talented and amazing people became family, which gave me the passion and confidence to play and prepare for the character.”

While embodying Gomez’s charm and humor came easily, Hennessy found balancing the character’s deeper emotions to be the most demanding aspect of the role.

“The most challenging part of playing Gomez is finding the emotional and powerful moments and living in them on stage while still portraying the character.”

Among the many standout moments in the show, Hennessy holds two scenes especially close to his heart.

“My favorite moment in the show definitely has to be a tie between the Tango De Amor and singing the song Happy Sad,” he said. “Both of these moments have special places in my heart as they are moments of such emotion and passion. Being able to have such emotional and passionate moments with the people I love to work with makes me so happy.”

Bringing another layer of depth to the production is senior Sasha Diament Yaouanc, who plays Wednesday Addams, the rebellious and love-struck daughter caught between her family’s gothic world and the life she envisions with her boyfriend, Lucas. For Yaouanc, performing Wednesday’s signature solo Pulled holds a special significance.

“In middle school, I had my first big role in a musical as Wednesday Addams,” she shared. “Getting to perform this song again, six years later, reminds me of the nervous feelings I had when singing it as my first solo in 7th grade. It's such a ‘full circle’ moment, and though I was nervous, I have always had so much fun singing it.”

Beyond the show’s humor and high-energy numbers, Wednesday’s journey carries an important message about self-acceptance.

“At the beginning of the show, Wednesday is firm on the idea that she needs to hide who she really is,” Yaouanc explained. “Her family is unusual, and she is afraid that Lucas and his family will not accept them for who they are. Towards the end of the show, she learns that her idea of who she ‘should be’ doesn't need to be so rigid, and the person she wants to be can meld with the person she is. I really connect with that message, that we have to meet ourselves halfway, and be open to change.”

Bringing this production to life has been a collaborative effort, combining acting, music, and technical precision. DiRienzo credits his talented students and production staff, including Musical Director Gabriel Evans and Vocal Coach Sydney Schizzano, for their dedication.

“The most exciting aspect for me is watching my students during technical rehearsals,” he said. “Although these rehearsals can be long and grueling, the students handle themselves like true professionals. Their behavior is so mature, and they display a profound appreciation and passion for the craft that I often forget we are a high school rather than a professional theater company.”

With a cast and crew committed to delivering a performance both haunting and hilarious, The Addams Family at Ossining High School is sure to leave audiences snapping their fingers and grinning from ear to ear.

Showtimes in the OHS Auditorium:

• Wednesday, March 19 – 4:00 PM
• Thursday, March 20 – Saturday, March 22 – 7:00 PM

Don’t miss this spooktacular production!