The Beineke family meets the Addams family for the first time in this year’s production of “The Addams Family” by the PHS Drama Club. PHOTOS BY TERESA LUIS.
By Amanda and Teresa Luis
The drama club’s newest production was the school musical, The Addams Family. In this production Wednesday Addams is a young teen, new to the dating scene, when she meets Lucas Beineke, a typical and normal, nice teenage boy. They begin to date, and things get interesting when their very different families meet for dinner.
The Drama Club has been preparing for this production since September, when Mrs. Kostiuk had the idea to recreate this iconic family on the PHS stage. The actual auditions were held in December, and the cast ranges from talented seniors through sophomores playing the lead roles, such as Sophomore Catherine Sposatos’ Wednesday Addams. The roles of Morticia, Gomez, Lucas Beineke and Mal Beineke are played by Lesley Gaspar, Joshua Martinez, Levi Abenis, and Michael Fortuna respectively.
The drama club has been practicing diligently and even enduring weather related play practice schedule changes to bring us their latest production. Speaking with some of the leading role actors, to learn how they prepared for their roles, as well as their favorite aspects of the roles and the play, provided many insights into the mindset of the various characters in this wonderful production.
Gomez Addams (Joshua Martinez) practices his fencing, while Morticia Addams (Lesley Gaspar) looks at the Addams Family photo album.
PHOTOs BY TERESA LUIS.
Senior, Michael Fortuna, who played Mel Beineke, said “We watched various videos to pick up on how the characters are. For example, Mel is picky, if something goes wrong, he freaks out”. Many of the cast members were already big fans of the Addams Family when Mrs. Kostiuk suggested it as this year’s musical, so researching this family by viewing the old show and the movie was no chore.
In an informal meeting, group interview, the cast members shared their joys and concerns about this year’s musical.
Hilltop Star : What’s been especially tough about preparing for this role?
Joshua Martinez (Gomez): getting more comfortable with being flamboyant and more out there
Michael Fortuna: Mel Beineke is uptight, so understanding his personality and stance is very important, and I often fall out of this character’s stance.
Lesley Gaspar: Morticia is more serious, and because I’m always smiling or laughing I break character sometimes. Also she knows how to get her way, and I don’t, so it’s very much just finding her as a character and trying to stay there.
Levi Abenis: Trying to play Lucas as an extension of me, trying to find my inner Lucas is a challenge.
Chelsea Candelaria (Grandma): the hardest part for me is trying to find this character from who I am and try to be convincing as Grandma.
Ashley Candelaria (Alice Beineke): in every musical a new character is born.
Hilltop Star: What’s the most fun part of preparing to play your role?
Joshua Martinez (Gomez): Being here and practicing, “I’m a perfectionist” so getting his emotions and tone is really important for me, but it is also the most fun part.
Michael Fortuna (Mal Beineke): Coming in and acting like someone I’m not is the highlight of my day.
Levi Abenis: I would have to say acting with my fellow cast members and being someone else.
Chelsea Candelaria: being on stage with friends and family.
Ashley Candelaria: It’s just being on a stage and having people appreciate you and knowing the hard work pays off.
Acting is the front for the production and they do get most of the attention but behind the scenes is the crew, who supports the actors and makes the entire show work. The crew designs set pieces, costuming, and works with the lighting and sound.
“Maybe the best part of being a part of the crew is working behind the scenes, spending time with friends who are like family and giving PHS a good face. There’s a lot going on behind the scenes so we hope the audience really appreciates that hard work,” said Guadalupe C.
Hard work is exactly the stage crew has done to make this play extraordinary. They work whenever they have any time, staying after school every day, coming in on Saturdays, and even coming to school over spring break, along with the cast. This was an incredibly funny production, and the effort from the cast, the crew, and the directors, was evident. Everyone associated with this production should be proud of a job well done.
