Pugsley marches his way onto the stage, a scowl set on his face. Thing reaches out from behind the curtain, gesturing. Pugsley reminds the audience to turn off their phones and wishes the audience “a horrible time.”
From Wednesday, Feb. 3 to Saturday, Feb. 6, Carlmont Performing Arts presented “The Addams Family,” a musical comedy following the events that ensue when Wednesday Addams falls in love with Lucas Beineke, a normal boy from a normal family.
According to sophomore Tessa Bagby, who played the bride “dancestor,” Â the script used for the Carlmont production of “The Addams Family” was a traveling tour rewrite that is slightly different from the original Broadway script. Some changes were made to the script: Alphonso the Enormous was cut out, as well as some lines, in order to make the musical appropriate for a high school production.
Rehearsals started in mid-November, consisting of two to three hours three times a week for the cast and two hours twice a week for the pit orchestra. As the show got closer, rehearsals picked up in number and length. Crew started practicing the week before the show, every day after school for five to six hours. From rehearsals to individual practice, hundreds of hours were spent in preparation for the show.
Music Director Lieven Smart said, “We owe a big shout-out to the staff and especially the students for their time and energy. Without their sacrifice, we would not have been able to put on a show of this quality.”
Many from the cast, crew, and orchestra consider the time and hard work put into the show an amazing and fun experience.
Bagby said, “It is a unique experience; you only have a few months to create a whole story. You really bond with the cast and create a little family  as you get to know each other both as people and as characters. ”
For some, this will be their last show at Carlmont before they graduate.
Assistant Stage Manager Sofia de Jesus, a senior, said, “This show is one of my favorites in my four years here. Our goal is to entertain people; it is important to incorporate the arts and have our audience enjoy the arts.”
Many students had gone to see the Wednesday and Thursday shows. Students, parents, and relatives packed the lobby of the Performing Arts Center for the Friday performance, and the Saturday show sold out completely. Many consider the musical a huge success, with well-executed performing and hilarious jokes.
Sophomore Kiran Boone, who went to see the show opening night, said, “I think they did the play justice. They did an absolutely wonderful job and if I had the money, I would watch it again.”
