Thomas Repass, May 1st 2024
Grotesque, dark, monstrous: In other words, welcome Addams Family the Musical to Blacksburg Theater! Based on the iconic characters you know and love, the Addams Family Musical follows an eighteen year old Wednesday as she fights her most demented foe yet, love. For an Addams, darkness, grief, and unspeakable sorrow are the only means of existence. So what happens when young Wednesday falls for Lucas Beineke, a bright and fun loving all-American boy? As the story unfolds with secrets shared and passions ignited, will the Addams Family survive? Come see to find out!
Featuring Emma Harvey as Wednesday, an accomplished singer and actress with a bevy of musical theater experience under her belt, there’s no way this play won’t be a soaring success! While interviewing her she stated that her way of preparing for the role was rewatching the Wednesday show on Netflix and repeating the lines back in her same tone. Remembering this she seems to grin wickedly and goes on to make the joke that her acting as Wednesday is “not acting, I’m just being myself.” She also went on to say, after being asked about her wardrobe, that Mrs. Gruver has been hilariously contemplating the idea of not having her in a wig. “At first I had long blonde hair and Gruver wanted a wig, then I dyed it ginger and Mrs. Gruver was like ‘I like ginger Wednesday!’ and so I cut it, then Mrs. Gruver said ‘I like the bob.” When asked why you should come to the show, she replied with dead eyes and deathly serious features simply, “if you don’t come, within five days I will find you. You’re not going to survive- no it’s a really good show. We have a really good director, which, Gruver’s a good director and such a great choreographer. Plus it’s a really funny show too, honestly!”
As Gomez, Mrs. Gruver chose Felix Hooper, a deliciously good actor who most will remember from his hallmark role as The Prince in last year's showing of Cinderella. He is co-starred once again by Sylvia MacNab, who played Cinderella last year and joins Felix this year as Gomez’s wife, Morticia. The two were both very excited for their roles, Sylvia cramming in the various media interpretations of the Addams Family and making Spotify Morticia playlists, whilst Felix thanks his years of Spanish at the high school for allowing him to create a sort of accent to truly perfect Gomez. This role is one that Felix will truly shine in, as he loves to make audiences laugh and can hit a G note like nobody's business. Sylvia seemed apprehensive regarding the differing personalities between her and Morticia, but she was especially confident when gleefully describing her costume. She talked about her black dress, sleeves hanging down and drifting with every movement as she dances the tango; with a bold red lip, good ol eyeliner, and a long black wig, no expense will be spared. She suggests coming to see the show because it’s a classic! After all, “Everyone knows the Addams and the snaps!”
Overall this show is shaping up, with a convincing set and a pit orchestra of Bruins ready to turn this into something magical. Under the direction of Mrs. Gruver, things are looking bright. Having played Gomez before, Gruver stated enthusiastically that she wanted to present Addams to our stage because she saw the response she got from the community. With a breath of fresh air she’s bringing it to us, and has found an immense pleasure in seeing our Bruins all come together and make this show possible! So come see Addams Family the Musical and have a frightful night of fun!
(Dates: May 3rd-6PM, May 4th-6PM, May 5th-2PM. Tickets: $10 Adults, $7 Students)
(Photo credits to Thomas Repass)
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