WHS presents ‘The Addams Family’ April 1-5

The cast of Waseca High School’s spring musical “The Addams Family” wants everyone to know all the awkward moments on the stage are planned. In fact, the play is rich with awkwardness: Lucas Beineke, the young adult son of upstanding community members Mal and Alice Beineke, has fallen in love with Wednesday Addams.

Both young people would like to see marriage in their future, but are very nervous about what their families will think. When the Beinekes are invited to the Addams’ home, plenty of surprises and humorous moments follow.

The spring musical will be presented at 7 p.m. the evenings of April 1, 2, 3 and 4, and at 2 p.m. on April 5 in the high school’s performing arts center. Admission is $10 for all ages.

“I’m having a lot of fun with it,” says Eden Eads, a Waseca High School (WHS) senior who advocated for this particular play during the selection process and plays Addams family matriarch Morticia. “She is an interesting, fun character,” comments Eads, who says the “raunchy, corny” jokes should make everything more fun for the audience.

“The play isn’t dark or grim at all–it’s funny and lighthearted.

“It’s fun to branch out as an actor and as a cast.” The play has 10 main characters, 16 ensemble members, and “a lot of songs.”

Andres Vasquez, a junior, is cast as Gomez Addams. He says he enjoys the “Latin” elements of Gomez’s character, and the awkwardness which arises because he knows about the relationship between Wednesday and Lucas while Morticia does not. “Gomez is caught in the middle because he wants to follow his daughter’s wishes, but doesn’t like keeping secrets from his wife,” observes Vasquez.

Aidan Androli, cast as Uncle Fester, observes his character not only brings plenty of humor to the play, but also a few touches of wisdom. He mentions he has been working to adapt the “kooky voice” he will need to bring the unusual character to life. “I serve as comic relief a lot of the time,” he observes. “Sometimes I’m even a narrator and I get to interact with the audience.”

Nathanael Andrs is cast as Mal Beineke, a semi-absent father and husband because he is so caught up in his work and professional career. “I’m something of a foil to Gomez,” comments Andrs. “Where he makes his family his first priority, Mal seems to make it his last.”

Ashton Jenzen, in the role of Alice Beineke, supports her son’s relationship with Wednesday, but knows from the beginning Mal will not. Like Gomez’s character, she is caught in the middle and can only do her best to help things work out.

“People will have a lot of fun watching this play,” says Jenzen. “We’re putting in a lot of time and planning to make it the best we can.”

“Come to our play!” says Eads. “You’ll be glad you did.”