From the press release
Quirky love, kooky humor, and an exploration of what it means to be “normal”: Urbana High School Theatre presents “The Addams Family.”
To say that Urbana High School Theatre students are having fun with their fall musical would be an understatement, according to the program’s director of theatre, Tim Broeker.
“The show is hilarious,” Broeker said. “I can’t even make it through rehearsals without losing it. And the cast is really into it—there’s just a different level of energy and excitement for this show.”
The Addams Family musical, which opened on Broadway in 2010, incorporates all the weird and wonderful Addams Family characters from the popular 1960s TV show, but the musical’s storyline is original: Wednesday is 18 and has fallen in love with a young man from a “normal” family.
“It’s not a dark and creepy show,” Broeker said, “it’s light and funny.”
The multi-layered love story—between Wednesday and Lucas as well as each set of their parents—drives the plot, but Broeker said there are also some deeper themes at play.
“The main one is ‘define normal.’ What does it mean to be ‘normal’? Because everyone ends up being abnormal in their own ways, whether it’s visible to everyone or below the surface.”
A range of UHS students makes up the cast of 27, from a seasoned group of seniors to a crop of freshman talent that took Broeker somewhat by surprise. Three of the show’s lead and supporting roles, in fact, are played by freshmen.
Broeker is joined by choreographer Alyssa Pavlakis and director of vocal music Becky Park, both UHS teachers. Behind the scenes, the tech crew of nearly 50 students is led by UHS teacher Breanna Morton, with Barbara Hughes heading up costumes, hair, and makeup.
The Addams Family, a new musical comedy, will be performed at 7 p.m. November 8–11 and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 12. All performances will be in the Urbana High School Cobb Auditorium, 1002 S. Race Street. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults and are available at the box office, which opens 30 minutes prior to each performance.
For more information or to schedule interviews, contact Tim Broeker: tbroeker@usd116.org, 217.722.0690.