They’re creepy, they’re cooky, but it doesn’t matter what normal is because love can conquer all.
The old adage rings true in Claremont secondary’s staging of the Addams Family musical.
The show runs March 7 to 9 and 13 to 16 at 7 p.m. with 1 p.m. matinees on March 9 and 16.
Based on the classic television series, the Addams Family features 38 students in the cast (from Grades 9 to 12), 15 in the orchestra and 10 in the crew. It’s a production that’s been in rehearsals since September, said drama teacher Colin Plant.
“We chose this musical because it met the criteria we seek,” Plant said. “It’s a modern musical and provides our students an opportunity to work on a new musical that was on Broadway only six years ago.”
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Plant said this year’s class has more females than males but found they had the right numbers to do this musical.
“It’s a truly funny modern musical even though the family has been known for decades,” Plant said. “Audiences will support it.”
It’s a sendoff for Rachel Tarasoff and other Grade 12s who’ve spent their four years at Claremont in the musical theatre program. Tarasoff stars as Morticia Addams, the powerful matriarch with a dark and twisted, yet loving persona.
“This musical is unlike anything else we’ve done, the humour can be pretty edgy and it’s sometimes hard to keep a straight face during rehearsals,” said Tarasoff.
As an elementary and middle school student Tarasoff used to sit in the audience of Claremont shows, counting the years until she’d be there on stage.
“I knew that I wanted to be a part of this program long before I came to Claremont… It’s an amazing group of kids and I couldn’t imagine my life without them.”
The quirky musical has worked to transform cast mates into some pretty zany characters, said Jazmin Saunders-Scales, who plays Alice Beineke, mother of Lucas, the love interest of Wednesday Addams.
“I also really enjoy the music in The Addams Family. The music really brings the whole show together,” Saunders-Scales said.
Tickets are $15, or $12 for students and seniors. Kids under 6 are free. Call 250-658-6672 for more information.
