Hononegah theatre pulls out all the stops for spring musical, “The Addams Family”

As someone who knows only as much about the Addams Family as was shown in Netflix’s “Wednesday” and has never attended a Hononegah theater production before, it is safe to say I walked into the PAC Saturday evening to see our spring musical, “The Addams Family”, with no expectations. But somehow, the production impressed me in every way possible.

The cast list felt like Hononegah’s own Hollywood A-list—from ILMEA All-State Chorus member (and varsity football star) Gabe Kohl to senior stage regulars Debraruth Hayag and Aiden Van Fleet, all the actors naturally embraced their roles onstage. I was astounded by how well they portrayed each of the Addams’s distinctive personalities. Hayag skillfully articulated Wednesday’s internal conflicts and desires through her expressive gestures and passionate vocals that remained captivating throughout the entire show. Olivia Simpson effortlessly encapsulated Morticia’s self-assured attitude with her subtly audience-oriented presentation and fittingly dramatic dancing. And Kohl absolutely nailed Gomez’s character, from the accent to the delivery of his comic relief lines. I could go on and on about the cast—Jennavieve (Gale) Harms’s playful “Grandma” representation, Tanner Pearson’s portrayal of the young and insecure Pugsley, the comfortable nature with which Maddox Lester broke the fourth wall and charmed the audience as Uncle Fester. Even the ensemble—the Addams ancestors—had characters with distinctive personalities, a few of whom I dubbed Cowboy Addams (Julia Batson, also a Hononegah Highlights member), Roaring Twenties Addams (Lily Klaus), and Rebel Addams (Angel Van).

Showcasing the incredible cast was an equally incredible crew and pit. The show’s makeup and costuming was astounding at a professional level, effectively accentuating the personalities of each character. The usage of the meticulously detailed props and PAC lights, led by the diligent stage manager Annelise Mesa, added a layer of complexity throughout the show that enraptured the audience. And the live musical pit, directed by Mr. Jeremiah Kramper, was the cherry on top, completing an incredibly well-rounded, entertaining show.

This musical truly opened my eyes to the immense theatrical talent at Hononegah. It leaves me with only one question: who was behind the mask of the dancing Grim Reaper?