Ste Anne Collegiate to stage Addams Family

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This article was published 19/05/2023 (731 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Ste Anne Collegiate will stage one of Hollywood’s creepiest and kookiest families in their musical production of The Addams Family.

“We like dark comedy at Ste Anne Colligate. A few years ago, we did Little Shop of Horrors, which was a huge sensation and everybody loved it. When I heard about this storyline from The Addams Family I liked this story because it humanizes them and they are just like any other family. They have children that grow up and move out and follow their own hearts and the family has to learn to accept a new family into their lives,” said English and drama teacher Lisa Ramsden, who produced the musical with teacher Jim Warner.

“I think it will touch a lot of audience members, especially parents. Because some of the songs are you’re happy that your children have found their own lives, but you’re also sad that they’ve left the nest.”

Ramsden said this show means a lot to her because it was originally supposed to premier in 2020, but six weeks before curtain the show got cancelled due to COVID-19. Now, the students who were in Grade 9 at the time are seniors with main roles.

“This show means a lot to me for that reason because it’s like a revival. We haven’t done a musical here since 2018…We’re coming back,” she said with enthusiasm.

Ramsden said this is the largest cast she has ever produced, reaching 50 people. She said students are very excited and there is a lot of buzz in the school.

Two of the students playing lead roles are Falda Sigurdson as Morticia and Ash Vandongen as Gomez.

“(I got involved) because I love theatre and I love all things dark and gloomy, so it was meant for me!” said Sigurdson with a laugh.

“I thought it would be fun. It’s my last year so I thought lets just go for it,” said Vandongen.

Both leads love The Addams Family with Sigurdson saying she “based her entire being around Morticia Addams.”

“I just love how her and Gomez are just so infatuated with each other and no matter what happens they always come back to each other. And I just love how there’s nothing to hate about her, even if you want to…I love her look, her style, her voice, the idea of her character of the perfect wife who doesn’t have to do anything. She’s just there for her family. I love it,” she said.

For Zhenei Qui (Wednesday) the move into musical theatre was natural as she has always loved the medium and this will be her first starring role. She said she loves The Addams Family franchise.

“I like how they don’t fit in the norm. They’re not mainstream, and they do things their own way which is cool to see,” she said, noting she loves acting and how it’s an extension of oneself.

For Emilie Stronciski it took more convincing to audition, but the Grade 9 student got the role of Pugsly.

“I love the abnormality of (The Addams family). I just love being odd and it’s just a fun way to act from the normal…I like being dramatic and always being able to express how I am with my character. I have a very violent personality, so it suits me to be Pugsly. I love blowing stuff up, I love flames, so I just love the whole dramatics and the acting that goes along with the personality.”

The Addams Family will run on May 25 at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. and May 26 at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $10. Five and under get in free.