PAHS Performing Arts has been busy at work getting ready for their production of The Addams Family, set to premiere next month.

Lisa McMeekin and Erin Knepper are the directors of the play, and they have been working hard to prepare the cast and crew for the first musical ever produced by PAHS students.

Tryouts were held in the last week of October. Those who tried out were able to select any song or dance of their choosing to perform.

Those who received call backs were given a song to sing from the character they were trying out for. They were also asked to read from the script of the play.

McMeeken said the actors were chosen by their ability to sing, learn choreography, and read dialogue from the script.

This version of The Addams Family is based off the broadway musical. It’s mostly centered around Wednesday Addams and her new love interest, Lucas Beineke. Throughout the production, Wednesday finds herself torn between her family and her new boyfriend.

Wednesday is played by Charlie Smith, and Lucas is played by Tony Waterfall.

Other standout roles include Gomez Addams, played by Timmy Simmons, Morticia Addams, played by Aubrey Allen, Fester, played by Mercy Smith, Pugsley, played by Winter Campbell, Grandma, played by Mckenzie Brudnock, Lurch, played by Caleb Kinney, Alice Beineke, played by Jenna Diem, and Mal, played by Shawn Phillips.

Junior Madi Fye, playing both an ancestor bride and Morticia Addams’s understudy, said she believes the musical is starting to really come together.

“I think if we work hard enough, we can really pull it together,” said Fye.

Both McMeekin and Fye said they’ve been seeing everyone putting in hard work. The cast has been rehearsing four days a week working to perfect their show.

“It’s been incredible how engaged and how quickly they were able to learn things,” said McMeekin.

There’s over thirty students participating in the musical, working on both the cast and the backstage crew, but McMeekin said she’s seen a great work ethic and is expecting a fantastic show.

“I think it’s going to be fun. There’s a lot of humor throughout [the musical],” said McMeekin.

The show dates are February 21st, 22nd, and 23rd.