The mysterious and spooky comes alive at Olympia High School

Things are taking a quirky turn at Olympia High School as the theater department stages “The Addams Family” musical this weekend.  What makes this show unique is the partnership between the school’s theater director, Ed Budd, and the school’s Latin teacher Alan Pagan-Pearl. 

While Pagan-Pearl has spent many years lending a helping hand for Budd’s productions, this is the first show he has directed for the school.

“I’ve always been an actor and have never thought of directing, but I’ve really enjoyed this process,” Pagan-Pearl said. “It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions for me. Theater has made me everything I am, so it’s very powerful for me to get this opportunity.”

Of course, under any director is a cast of actors. And in the case of “The Addams Family,” these actors will be re-creating characters from a show that pre-dates them by 50 years.

Here are some of the high-schoolers starring in the show:

Zack Pringle, senior

Character: Gomez

For which role did you audition?

Gomez. I played Gomez once before in eighth grade. I was drawn to it and wanted to go out (my senior year) with Gomez being my final character.

What do you like about Gomez’s character?

I like his comedic timing and his off-beat sense of humor.

Have you ever seen the Addams Family before?

I saw the ‘90s movie as probably a 7-year-old, and I thought it was really funny.

What is one of the craziest thing your character says in the show?

Several times he goes on big stories about his ancestors and the punch line is always Jose Cuervo. It’s Captain General Redondo Ventana Laguna Don Jose Cuervo.

Kelsey Aaron, senior

Character: Morticia

For which role did you audition?

Morticia. Originally, I wanted to go for Wednesday, but I didn’t have the vocal range. So someone suggested that I try out for Morticia and I could sing her songs really well.

What do you like about Morticia’s character?

She’s very different from anything I’ve ever done. I’ve always admired her. She’s always been like a mom to me.

Have you ever seen the Addams Family before?

I watched the movie and TV show. I thought it was pretty funny and very different.

What is one of the funniest things your character says in the show?

My favorite line is when she says that her poems are about one thing that everyone wants but no one has - healthcare.

Madison Fraser, senior

Character: Wednesday

For which role did you audition?

Wednesday and Morticia, but mainly Wednesday because I feel like a lot of teenage girls can relate to her.

What do you like about Wednesday’s character?

I love her songs. They show her range and personality, and the tone of the songs shows how she is torn between the two sides (of her family and her boyfriend).

Have you ever seen the Addams Family before?

I used to watch the TV show. It’s a classic. It’s like a monster family, a quirky family. Then a few years ago I realized there was a musical.

What is your favorite line from the show?

My favorite line is, “Pugsley can you just go away and die?”

Daniel Kline, senior

Character: Lucas Beineke

For which role did you audition?

Lucas was my first choice. I saw the Addams Family musical a little over a year ago and wanted to play Lucas ever since.

What do you like about Lucas’s character?

He’s a normal person going in, but was brought into their quirkiness and weirdness. It’s a transition for him throughout the musical.

Have you ever seen the Addams Family before?

It was such a different show, such a funny show. Everything “Addams Family” has been super good.

What is the craziest thing your character does in the show?

He risks his life to prove is love to Wednesday, like when she shoots the apple off his head.

Aidan Huete, sophomore

Character: Fester

For which role did you audition?

Morticia. In the previous play I played a woman which I found to be the funnest thing.

What do you like about Fester’s character?

He’s crazy silly. And I’m able to channel my inner creep-job.

Have you ever seen the Addams Family before?

I started watching it when I got the role of Fester. I remember thinking how did this become a play? It’s so over-the-top.

What is the craziest thing your character does in the show?

I get a rocket pack at the end of the show and blast off to the moon.

Maddie McMahon, sophomore

Character: Pugsley

For which role did you audition?

I said anyone. I was surprised but very happy to be in a musical because I haven’t been in one before.

What do you like about Pugsley’s character?

I like playing up the troublesome brother, poking fun and annoying Wednesday.

Have you ever seen the Addams Family before?

I watched the cartoon over spring break. It was hilarious and it brought out a lot of interesting characters who aren’t in the musical.

What is the craziest thing that happens to your character in the show?

I get pulled out on this torture device and say, “Wednesday and Lucas sitting in a tree. K-I-L-L-I-N-G. First comes loves then comes…” then I scream because Wednesday turns the device on.

Contact Brittany Gaines at [email protected].