Picture it. The Addams family is in the graveyard celebrating a gathering of family members, living, dead and undecided. But the night takes a turn when Wednesday introduces her new “normal” boyfriend Lucas to the family. The news doesn’t go over very well and Uncle Fester wakes up the ancestors to help put an end to the budding romance. The families of Wednesday and Lucas come together for a wild dinner at the Addams Family Mansion where an evening of chaos ensues.

This is the plot of Ellsworth High School’s latest musical, according to co-director Karen Kornmann. Sounds like a spooktacular good time, right?

“I have always wanted to do ‘The Addams Family’ at Ellsworth High School,” Kornmann said. “We had plans to do it in 2020 but couldn't because of Covid. I just love the show. It's fun, hilarious, and very kooky (as they say in the song).”

Students have been rehearsing their dance moves since August and have kicked into high gear during October.

“The most challenging part of any musical is getting all the moving parts and the entire vision to come together,” Kornmann said. “The cast needs to know their lines and music but to add the pit band, lights, sound, mics, scenery, props, and crew to the acting and singing gets really complicated. 

“The most rewarding part for me is seeing the students come together on opening night and put on a great show. These students sacrifice a lot of time and energy to put this show together. Watching their excitement, enthusiasm, and smiles during the bows as they react to the laughter and applause is priceless.”

Kornmann had a tough time pinpointing her favorite part in the show, but did say the beginning is amazing and exciting seeing the family and ancestors together.

“But I have to say that my favorite part is when Gomez is singing the song ‘Happy/Sad’ to Wednesday. It's such a tender father-daughter moment. It gets me every time,” she admitted.

Every production has hilarious moments during rehearsals that will live on in cast memories.

“When Adam Capatske is in the cast anything is possible,” Kornmann laughed. “Last night he pretended he was fainting during the bows and I had to take a double look to make sure he was joking. He is quite the funny guy.” 

Capatske plays Gomez Florencia Addams; he likes to make Gomez sound like he doesn’t know what his own ethnicity is.

“In one scene, he’s Spanish; the next, he’s French,” he said.

His favorite part of the production isn’t any one moment, but rather, the anticipation.

“What I mean is, I don’t particularly like one key moment like opening night or cast parties, but the mystery of what could happen,” he said. “The build up to opening night or closing night is what I love to see. I know it will all come together in the end, but it’s the journey getting there that makes me come back every year – and of course Mrs. Kornmann practically forcing me to.”

Capatske admitted the dancing can be tough on him.

“It’s not that I’m a bad dancer, but you can tell it’s unnatural for me,” he said.

Senior Delaney Johnson plays the part of Wednesday and loves her dark humor.

“But my absolute favorite part of being in the musical is getting to know and becoming friends with everyone,” she said. “For me, the hardest thing to do has been to get over my nerves of singing in front of people. The first few rehearsals I was really nervous, but now after singing in front of people a lot I've gotten way more comfortable.”

Arianna Starbuck plays a flapper ancestor from the 1920s, a role perfect for her as she participates in all the different dances.

“My favorite part of being in the play is singing and dancing, meeting new people, and talking to people I wouldn't normally talk to. The hardest thing to learn/do is to stay in character when something really funny happens,” she said.

Senior Mya Petersen plays Morticia, which she believes suits her with her jazzy solos.

“My favorite part about being in the musical is learning all of the dances,” Petersen said. “Although I may look a little uncoordinated when I do them, the dances are always so much fun. I’ve been told time and time again that Morticia is a sensual character. Trying to portray that throughout the entire show has been the hardest part of the whole process.”

While the acting at EHS has always been top-notch, the equipment needed some upgrades. Kornmann said the installation of new LED lights has been a game changer.

“The one thing I absolutely love is the LED lights can change color instantly without me having to climb a very tall ladder and physically switch the color gel in the light,” she said. “We haven't finished all the new audio equipment yet because of back orders. I can hardly wait for the rest of it to be installed.”

Showtimes are 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2; 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3; 7 p.m. Nov. 7-9 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10. Scan the QR code or visit https://gofan.co/app/school/W119699. They can also be purchased at the door.

Cast & Crew

Gomez Addams – Adam Capatske

Morticia Addams – Mya Petersen

Wednesday Addams – Delaney Johnson

Lucas Beineke – Logan Peterson

Uncle Fester – Parker Biebrauer

Pugsley Addams – Gavin Wittenberg

Mal Beineke – Carter Price

Alice Beineke – Maleah Petersen

Grandma Addams – Bre Sympson

Lurch – Nathan Rollins

Conquistador – Wyley Myers

Gangster – Max Olson

WWI Soldier – Evan Beissel

Pilgrim – Lily Vesely

Founding Father – Eric Baker

Flapper – Arianna Starbuck

Flight Attendant – Mary Lundstrom

Bride – Bethany Kaufer

Ballet Dancer – Claire Matzek

Nurse – Bailey Oleson

Pit Band

Piano 1 – Jan Hansen

Piano 2 – Maddy Clark

Reed 1 – Landen Lee

Reed 2 – Gavin Starbuck

Reed 3 – Danny Vogel

Trumpet – Thomas Helseth

Trombone – Weston Morley

Drums – Michael Allen

Percussion – Katelyn Homan

Bass – Katie Pederson

Ancestors Chorus

Creepy Twin Girl – Bridget Dendinger

Cheerleader – Addison Sabby

Pilgrim Woman – Eden Fritz

Creepy Twin Girl – Ali Keenan

Renaissance Woman – Skye Heschke

Edwardian Era Woman – Emma Eagan

1950s HS Girl – Layney Blomberg

Victorian Woman – SaVaya Moorhouse

Medieval Witch – Claire Vang

Suffragette – Isabelle Lane

Hippie 1960s – Nora Novek

Movie Star – Carolyn Trannel

Sailor – Kona Lansing

Mad Scientist – Andy Schiller

Groom – Mason Petersen

Viking – Josh Kelley

Caveman – Breken Young

Convict – Cole Keenan

Crew

Student Director – Arianna Starbuck

Tech Manager – Marshall Funk

Stage Manager – Jenna Early, Maggie Pechacek

Men’s Understudy – Wyley Myers

Women’s Understudy/Dance Captain – Arianna Starbuck

Lightboard – Lillie Rewolinski

Spotlights – Madeline Saver, Bella Lee

Sound Board – Marshall Funk

Sound Effects – Mitch Britton

Video – Dakota Moldenhauer

Mic Managers – Loralei Johnson, Elianna Ortiz

Makeup – Dung Nguyen, Maddie Flynn

Props – Iliza Balster, Esmerelda Johnson

Costumes – Sophia Place, Lily Hanson, Kensie Matzek, Nora Christopherson, Finja Skaun

Costume Crew – Lily Smith, Isabelle Reid, Taylor Bierbrauer

Flexible Crew – Miles Petersen

Grips – Anna Oleson, Ani Whelan, Maye Petersen, Kendra Mass-Ziegler, Teagan Powell, Arai Perez-Rangel, Cori Paulson, Stevie Huppert, Emma Helgeson, Kyra Roesler

Prop Managers – Mady Maxwell, Carley Peterson, Iliza Balster, Esmerelda Johnson

Grips – Noah Windsor, Michael Jablonsky, Shawn Huppert