Aquinas Academy students present virtual rendition of 'The Addams Family'

It seemed like a good year for Aquinas Academy theater students to take on “The Addams Family” given that unusual pandemic regulations required the show to be presented online for the first time.

High school students made the foray into the creepy world of TV’s favorite goth family for a virtual presentation of the show, including its familiar snappy introduction.

“Even with rehearsal time cut short, the cast artfully mastered some of the most challenging music with enthusiasm and perseverance,” said senior Benjamin Stalder, who was the musical director, vocal coach and accompanist.

Working on the show was especially rewarding after being separated from classmates because of the covid-19 pandemic, he said.

“I will look back on my last high school production with fondness.”

Created by cartoonist Charles Addams in 1938, the show includes kooky parents Gomez and Morticia, and their equally bizarre children Wednesday and Pugsley. The cast is rounded out with family members Uncle Fester and Grandmama, butler Lurch and a disembodied hand named Thing.

Aquinas’ performance was based on the 2009 film by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, which followed the cartoon with the same macabre wit. Music was by Andrew Lippa.

The storyline follows Wednesday, played by junior Laura Richthammer, inviting her fiancé (played by junior Giovanni Vella) to dinner. Wednesday swears her father to secrecy about the engagement and commands her family to act normal.

A choir of ancestor ghosts sets the stage for a mysterious and spooky comedy musical.

Junior Corinne Reed served as stage manager, junior Sydney Libell head of stage crew, senior Olivia Nassif assistant director and Julia Meland costume assistant.

Art teacher Brady Buchanan led the set design and construction, art teacher Maria Ignelzi Taglianetti was in charge of set painting, religion and philosophy teacher Rosemary Meland worked as costume designer and Latin and philosophy teacher George Lizardo delivered on percussion.

Student performances were videotaped onstage in the school’s Rhodora J. Donahue building without an audience. After about a month of editing, the show premiered online for the school community on Jan. 9.

The virtual venture was a first for school Drama Director Michael Flynn, now in his 30^th year.

Flynn found working under the unique requirements to be a challenge but credited the cast and crew for their perseverance.

“We were trying to do ‘pandemic’ blocking, deciding, based on time on stage, when we did and did not have to use masks,” he said. “The students were incredible in this process.”

Senior Olivia Nassif was invaluable as assistant director, Flynn said, adding she remained calm and professional throughout the daily obstacles.

Likewise, he said Evie Archer’s performance as Grandmama Addams showed her versatility as a performer, Izzy McGowan delivered amazing dancing and singing skills as the Bride Ancestor and Grant Kaercher was comic gold as Uncle Fester.

“Grant also was able to feature his singing voice and his ukulele playing, which he learned just for the show,” Flynn said.

Flynn said Stalder was key to the success of the show after taking a challenging score and teaching it to his classmates.

“Benjamin was truly the driving force behind the production,” Flynn said. “I would also be remiss if I did not mention junior Sabrina Knox and her choreography. The dances in this production were beautifully executed.

“All in all, I could not be prouder of our students. I just hope to we are back to having a live audience next year.”