With a largely rookie cast and being up against a tight timeline, Chatham-Kent Secondary School’s production of The Addams Family Musical is hitting its stride.
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The first performance is slated in front of a school audience on Nov. 16, before the show opens to the public Nov. 17 and 18 and again on Nov. 24 and 25 on the stage of the CKSS Ed Myers Gymnasium.
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Rehearsals only began in mid-September, so choreographer, Grade 12 student Gillian Jacobs, said time has been a challenge to practice the choreography because many of the students don’t have a dance background.
The 17-year-old student said there has been some great teamwork as her peers have respected the job she has to do and are following instructions well.
“They all want to be there, and they all have the same goal in mind, they want to put on a great show, so they’re very respectful and listen very well,” Jacobs said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better group.”
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CKSS music teacher Christine Baribeau, who is directing the musical, said, “It’s coming together real fast and the majority of (the cast) are rookies.
“They’ve never done a show before so I’m pretty proud of what they’re putting together,” she added.
Grade 10 student Markus Amaris-Metcalf said he tried out not expecting to get a lead role, but ended up with the part of Uncle Fester.
“It was a pleasant surprise as much as it’s been stressful,” he said.
“For the amount of time we’ve had to practice, there’s a lot to learn.”
Amaris-Metcalf is enjoying the role of Uncle Fester.
“He’s crazy, he’s goofy, and he’s all over the place. I love being loud and eccentric and he’s perfect for that.”
Amaris-Metcalf said the production is coming together well adding they are now working to make sure everything flows well with the production.
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The last musical play performed by CKSS was Newsies in early 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down productions for a few years.
Baribeau noted a musical play is more than actors, there are students helping with the costumes and the set has been painted by students.
She added a musical is a “giant project and to feel a part of that is irreplaceable. These are memories they will have for life.”
Grade 11 student Anna Bradley is playing the lead role of Gomez Addams.
“It’s a lot of pressure, but it’s so much fun,” she said.
She is enjoying having the chance to be a lead in a full-scale musical.
“It’s so good,” Bradley said. “I’ve met so many people through this. It’s like a big family.”
Amaris-Metcalf chimes in, “Yeah, the Addams Family.”
Baribeau said the musical is very funny, but also has a subtle message: “Be who you are and embrace it.”
She noted The Addams Family are seemingly not normal, “but they are authentic. . . they are themselves” and they are happy.
Baribeau believes the quirky characters are what appeals to audiences.
“It is a contemporary take on The Addams Family,” she said. “I think people will love this.”
Tickets for The Addams Family are $20 for adults and $15 for students, seniors and children. Tickets are available at www.schoolcashonline.com or paying cash at the door, if the musical is not sold out.
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