Because the show is so quickly approaching, The Addams Family cast has no shortage of rehearsals, and have even had a few performances already (they've performed at a blood drive, at an SU dance marathon, and a local library, to name a few). But from the beginning, the cast members formed an incredible bond. "I will always remember one of our first times warming up and improving as a cast," remembers Gabrielle Hughes, who plays Morticia. "Mike [the director] told us to have a three-sentence conversation between our two index fingers, and it definitely gave everyone a true sense of just how imaginative and silly we all are. Things got real weird, wacky, and wonderful real quick!"
Others have been noting the camaraderie between the "casties" as well. Bridget McGlone, this year's music director, remembers a time when she told the cast they would need to sing offstage during the overture. "They decided to all stand in a huddle [backstage] while they did it," she says. "It was so great to watch them all come together like that." The show itself is quite challenging musically, according to Bridget, and she's been impressed with the cast's progress. "There was one time in rehearsal where they really nailed it. I almost cried because I was so proud of them," Bridget says. Audience members will get no shortage of musical range when they come to see The Addams Family.
If you ask a castie which song is their favorite, you'll get back a myriad of responses. "My favorite song to rehearse was probably 'Move Toward The Darkness,' just because I originally disliked the song a lot, but once we started singing it I started to like it—because we sound AWESOME," says Danielle Cooper, who plays Grandma Addams. "I LOVE our opening number," Gabrielle Hughes (Moriticia) says. "Even though it's the one we've rehearsed the most, it feels like the first time every time." Neil Honwad, who plays Mal Beineke, says that his favorite number is "Full Disclosure," because he loves how "every character gets his/her own spotlight during the song." Collin Brown, ensemble member, says that he's enjoyed "One Normal Night" because it features the entire cast and "there is a perfect combination of dramatic and comedic dancing and singing."
Jaylyn Noble the choreographer for The Addams Family, is so excited to see the show come together on stage and to watch each of the strong personalities in the cast shine. "This past Saturday rehearsal, I was really surprised and impressed by the cast," she says. "We were going over the tango, and they just had this passion in them to perfect the dance. They kept asking me to do it over and over and were cheering and getting excited when they did it perfectly." Collin really enjoyed this moment, too. "It was so great to see all our hard work pay off and to see the whole cast celebrate knowing that we made such an improvement," he says. As they move into intensive dress rehearsals of grueling lengths, the cast members express excitement about seeing everything they've worked hard to produce come alive on stage. "What makes me most nervous is actually performing in front of a live audience," Neil says. "But what excites me is that I'll be doing it with a great group of friends who are all trying to make the show the best it can be."
Don't forget to buy your ticket for The Addams Family on April 9th, 10th, and 11th in Goldstein auditorium. Full Disclosure: you'll regret missing this show. Tickets available here.
