Addams Family Main Cast and Seniors: JADE HEASLEY/THE LUMINARY  After their performance of The Addams Family, the principal cast members and the seniors who participated in the show gathered for a photo.  This is the first musical that Virtuoso has done since 2019 due to the pandemic.  Senior Brayden Foresman, who played Gomez, described the experience as "bittersweet."

The plot follows a loving family of quirky misfits who enjoy their peculiar existence. When Wednesday falls in love with Lucas Beineke, from a normal family, she tries to bring the families together to announce their engagement, and comedic chaos quickly follows.

The students did a phenomenal job with a complex show. Virtuoso sang, danced, acted, and elicited peals of laughter with clever humor. Additionally, Aden Keister, who played Lurch, spent months learning to walk on drywall stilts that added fifteen inches to his height.

When co-director Carina McNear was asked about bringing the Addams Family to life, she said, “It was definitely a show that we chose because it was so ensemble related and it involved so many kids, we really owed it to those that hung in there and waited these past two years to bring live theatre back.”

She further commented, “We also had quite a few new kids including cameos from some football players who have never tried anything like this. I think that’s also a testament to the kids in the program that welcome everybody and to those kids willing to try it, that they’re fearless.”

Addams Family Cast and Crew: JADE HEASLEY/THE LUMINARY  Montgomery's Virtuoso gave three performances of The Addams Family during the last weekend of April.  This photo was taken after the curtain call and features all of the performers as well as the student crew members who worked behind the scenes.  The musical comedy was well-loved by the audience.

McNear added, “I want to say thank you to everybody . . . It still feels a little bit unreal that’s happened after two years, and it’s a struggle when I think about having these seniors for only one show, but we’re just trying to live in and value every moment which I think is what the pandemic taught us the most as a Virtuoso family.”

The show was choreographed by co-director Jessica Carpenter and Dakkota Meeker-Deem. Carpenter said, “It was so much fun . . . They came so ready to learn and dance and they pushed themselves and wanted to be challenged . . . we really just wanted to do that and they rose to it and practiced hard every day. That’s a choreographer’s dream.”

Brayden Foresman, who played Gomez, spoke and sang in a Spanish accent. He prepared for the role with some help from the principal, Mr. Stoudt, who used to be the Spanish teacher. He said that as a senior participating in his last show, “It was pretty bittersweet. I’ve never really felt as much excitement and dread all at one moment . . . Although I don’t want to go, I’m content.”

The role of Morticia Addams was a dual-cast role, with Ava Peluso performing on Friday and Sunday and Alexis DeSantis on Saturday. Peluso said, “I never thought I would get a role this big or thought that I would ever play Morticia Addams. Although when I did finally get to play her, it just felt like it was right for me.”

Addison Heasley played Wednesday Addams. She said, “It felt great to be back, and it was definitely a challenge to learn so many different styles but I’m glad I have the experience.”

Addams Family Seniors and Staff: JADE HEASLEY/THE LUMINARY  The Virtuoso adult crew members and the Virtuoso seniors came gathered for a photo after The Addams Family musical.  Everyone had a great time putting the show together and it really came out in the performances.  For some of the seniors, it was both their first and last show with Virtuoso.

Colton Hessler, who played Mal Beineke commented, “It’s hard to get into a character, especially if your character changes throughout. But it kind of helps because It’s a progression that everybody kind of wants to see in my character.”

Natalie St. James played Alice Beineke. “It was very different from roles I have played in the past and I kind of just went with it. It was really helpful with my cast and a partner who played Mal Beineke, he really helped me get into my character. We’re just so natural with each other and it made it really fun for me.”

Lexi Woltz played Pugsley. She said, “I just had to go over my lines like ten million times, and I just had to think about the different expressions to react to everyone else’s talking, but it was pretty fun even to prepare for it.”

Cast members: Gomez – Bradyn Foresman, Morticia – Ava Peluso and Alexis DeSantis, Wednesday – Addison Heasley, Lucas Beineke – Gabriel McNear, Alice Beineke – Natalie St. James, Mal Beineke – Colton Hessler, Pugsley – Lexi Woltz, Grandma Addams – Madeline Bender, Uncle Fester – Geoffrey Short, Lurch – Aden Keister, Conquistador Ancestor – Gavin Rine, Saloon Girl Ancestor – Mary Green, Gambler Ancestor – Alexis DeSantis (Friday and Sunday, and Ava Peluso (Saturday), Courtesan Ancestor – Elizabeth Bryson, Puritan Ancestor – Thea Beaver, Flapper Ancestor – Mackenzie Holmes, Bride Ancestor – Samantha Guyer, Caveman Ancestor/Monster – Parker Welliver, Football Ancestors – Colton Hans, Devon Deem, Thayden Miller, and Logan Almeida, Cheerleader Ancestor – Leah Foresman, Medieval Ancestor/Tassel – Lalia Hessler, Victorian Ancestor – Kelly Schmidt, Greek Ancestor/Thing – Madison Burleigh, 1950s Ancestor – Lexi Boyer, Prairie Ancestor/Cousin ITT – Jillian Pautz, Sailor Ancestor – Camden Dalrymple, Little Wednesday – Avery Heasley.

Creative Team: Co-Directors – Carina McNear and Jessica Carpenter, Assistant Director/Choreographer – Dakkota Meeker-Deem, Assistant Director/Lighting Design – Trey Fox, Digital Orchestra Conductor – Brian Rehn, Sound/Set Designer – James Carpenter, Assistant Technical Director – Jacob Cuddeback, Student Assistant Sound Director – Logan Joy, Poster/Shirt Design – Brett Hosterman Photography and Design, Stage Managers – Miranda Stoner and Emily Dieffenderfer, Photography – Alyssa Molina Photography, Bradyn Foresman, Coltin Hans, and Thayden Miller, Prop and Costume Manager – Elizabeth Bryson, Make-Up Design – Lexi Woltz and Dakkota Meeker-Deem, Social Media Director – Bradyn Foresman, Microphones – Margot Schreiber and Zoey Sargent, Scene Managers – Madisyn Miller and Ava Hartman, Ticket Design – Jacob Cuddeback, Set Work/Stagehands – McKenna Hakes, Izzy Rivera-Williams, Autumn Fry, Emily Bucio, Camden Dalrymple, Lexus Gephart, Bradyn Foresman, Addison Heasley, Gabe McNear, Natalie St. James, Madeline Bender, Lexi Woltz, Alexis DeSantis, Ava Peluso, Kelly Schmidt, Colton Hessler, Coltin Hans, Elizabeth Bryson, Mary Green, Jillian Pautz, Kaidance Ramer, Emma Keister, Makayla Cerami, Arianna Snyder, Cam Bryson, Caleb Stryker, Kaylin Bower, Kyle Wagner, Donovan Metzger, Hunter Jackson, Derek Truesdail, Ray Pautz, Alyssa Heverly, Videography – Wyatt Ravert, Gaven Strouse, Austin Kuhn, Nate Yeagle, Brad Foresman, Bradley Leon, Sakaa Stewart Williams, Saafir Stewart Williams, Ushers – Jocelyn Moser, Nicole Solomon, Bryce Miller, Alivia Bonnel, and Alyssa Edkin.