“The Addams Family”

“The Addams Family” – a musical story of love, secrets and embracing your (and your family’s) identity told with the classic characters of Charles Addams – comes to life at EASTCONN’s Arts at the Capitol Theater in downtown Willimantic (896 Main Street) on Friday, May 17 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 18 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults; $10 for students, seniors, children and members of the military; and $5 for current ACT students, alumni and staff.

Don’t miss out on your chance to see ACT students and staff working together to create an immersive Addams Family experience. Tempestuous tangos take the stage with choreography from Ashley Green, and the delightful quips of a witty script are directed by the team of Michael Learner, Ava Molnar and student Assistant Director Izzy Jacques-Snow (Ellington). With technical direction from Colin McNamee, Lighting Design by junior Andrew Grzywacz (Hebron) and costumes designed by Sarah Murphy (built by ACT’s Technical Theater pathway students), the Capitol Theater is transformed into a creepy and kooky castle in Central Park, with appearances by ghostly ancestors from almost every time period.

Wednesday (Freddie Downey of Windham) is growing up and has fallen in love with her complete opposite, a “normal” boy from Ohio named Lucas (Josmar Hernandez of New London). While trying to help his daughter keep a secret, Gomez (Jaeden Prochorchik of Windham) finds himself torn between loyalty to his daughter and devotion to his wife, Morticia (Aleksandra Popovic of Ellington). With the threat of the family falling apart, Uncle Fester (Orpheus Wilson of Ellington) tries his best to keep things together, while Pugsley (Antony Ramos Pagan of Windham and Izzy Jacques-Snow) tries to blow it all up.

With Grandma (Ofelia Ochoa of Windham) and Lurch (Jesenia Manley of Willington) along for the ride, we meet the potential in-laws: the poetic and peppy Alice (Savannah Bryer of Danielson) and her buttoned-up husband Mal (Charlie Furness of Killingly). A gloriously ghoulish ensemble of Charlie Rosario (Manchester), Sienna “Sunny” Heath (Killingly), Alec Soto (Windham), Arianna Taylor (Jewett City), Jehieli Blanco (Windham), Mirielle Discola (Montville), Ace Sharpe-Auck (Ellington) and Eva Fleming (Mansfield) join the story as Addams Family Ancestors whose antics can help or hinder the young lovebirds.

The production features students from different pathways and grades working together on stage and behind the scenes. From the Technical Theater pathway, junior Ofelia Ochoa appears on stage for the first time. “Being in ‘The Addams Family’ is a really big opportunity,” Ochoa said. “I’ve never been part of anything theater-like because I was afraid to, but being in this production makes me feel like I’m needed for something and that I’m cool. I love being in this. It’s more of an emotional thing, an experience that I’m so excited for and literally so happy to get to be a part of.”

Senior Orpheus Wilson, a stage veteran, joins a musical production for the first time. “I’ve been a part of the Acting pathway since I joined ACT,” Wilson said, “and am now in my senior year, doing my first and last musical here, making this my senior show, which makes it even more important to me. I’m playing the role of Fester which is unlike other roles I’ve done before, but it allows me to explore a different side of my creativity when acting.”

Senior Charlie Furness, a Creative Writing pathway major with a penchant for performance, joins the fun after participating in ACT’s Summer Musical Theater program last year. “The energy in Michael and Ava’s productions is amazingly positive and incredibly fun,” Furness said. “I’ve loved every moment of this production, and I feel like it has really made my senior year memorable.”

Savannah Bryer, who has appeared on the Capitol Theater stage, reflected on the special community created by theater. “Being able to do this show has reminded me of my favorite parts of theater,” Bryer said. “Being a part of a community that is open and excited to be in the show makes the experience so much more enjoyable.”

Tickets can be reserved by calling 860-465-5636 and can be paid for with cash or check at the door. For more information, call or visit eastconn.org/act or our Facebook page (/ACTMagnetSchool).