THEATRE ETIQUETTE Welcome, mortals, to our delightfully dreadful production of The Addams Family! Before you snap your fingers and sink into the gloom, a few haunting reminders to keep tonight fright - fully fabulous:
DURING THE SHOW •
Silence those glowing devices - the Addams Family prefer candlelight. No filming or photography, unless you’d like to join the family... permanently. Whispering during the performance may annoy Wednesday - she’s not fond of noise, trust us.
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AS THE STORY UNFOLDS •
Feel free to laugh, gasp, and applaud - we adore enthusiastic mortals! No snacks, please - the crunching may disturb the dearly departed. Stay seated unless you need to flee from a ghost (or intermission).
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AFTER THE FINAL BOW •
Applaud loudly! The Addams ancestors crave your energy.
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Exit calmly - no stampedes through the crypt, thank you. And remember: strange is normal here.
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SYNOPSIS
Welcome to the world of The Addams Family, where being strange is perfectly normal, love is delightfully twisted, and no dinner ever goes as planned.
But beneath the cobwebs and chaos, change is brewing. The story begins when Wednesday, the “princess of darkness”, falls in love with a sweet, intelligent, and surprisingly normal young man named Lucas Beineke . His parents, Mal and Alice Beineke , are as ordinary and respectable as can be… and that’s exactly the problem. When Wednesday confides in her father, she asks Gomez to keep the relationship and the couple’s plan to marry a secret from Morticia. Gomez, torn between his daughter’s trust and his devotion to his wife, faces a hilarious and heartbreaking dilemma: lie to the love of his life, or betray his only daughter. To make matters worse, the Addams invite the Beinekes to dinner. What’s meant to be a polite, “normal” evening quickly spirals into disaster as two worlds collide. Morticia senses something is amiss, tensions rise between the families, and Uncle Fester calls upon the spirits of the Addams ancestors to help restore harmony in their own ghostly way. Over the course of one unforgettable night, secrets are spilled, love is tested, and both families are forced to face what it truly means to be themselves. Through moments of chaos, comedy, and touching emotion, the characters discover that every family, no matter how weird or “normal”, hides its own imperfections. Wednesday and Lucas learn that love means embracing each other’s strangeness; Gomez realises that honesty, even when painful, is part of love; and Morticia learns to open her heart to change. By the end of the night, the Addams and the Beinekes emerge closer, wiser, and perhaps a little more alike than they’d ever imagined. After all, being different is what makes life (and love) wonderfully alive.
The Addams are not your average family. They live in a gloomy mansion in Central Park, surrounded by ghosts of their ancestors, torture devices, and an air of charming morbidity. At the head of the household is Gomez Addams , the ever-passionate, sword-fighting father who would do anything for his family. His beloved wife , Morticia , is elegant, mysterious, and fiercely protective of her daughter, Wednesday Addams , a sharp-tongued girl who takes joy in all things dark and deadly. Their household also includes the mischievous Pugsley , who loves being tortured by his sister; the eccentric Grandma , who brews questionable potions; the lovable and odd Uncle Fester , who harbours a surprising affection for the moon; and their towering butler Lurch , who moves, and speaks, at the speed of the undead.
DIRECTOR ’ S NOTE
Dear Audience Members,
Welcome to our production of The Addams Family: School Edition! We are so delighted to have you join us for an evening of laughter, love, and a healthy dose of the delightfully bizarre. The Addams Family have been charming audiences for generations with their peculiar humour and gothic charm, and it is such a pleasure to bring their world to life on stage with our wonderfully talented cast and crew. The Addams Family: School Edition tells the story of what happens when Wednesday Addams, the ultimate daughter of darkness, falls in love with a perfectly ordinary boy from a perfectly ordinary family. When the two families come together for a single fateful dinner, chaos and hilarity ensues. But beneath the dark comedy and spooky atmosphere lies a story that is deeply human. It is about love that defies expectations, families that clash and reconcile, and the courage it takes to be yourself in a world that often asks us to be someone else. In today’s society, where the pressure to appear “normal” or to fit in can be overwhelming, The Addams Family: School Edition feels more relevant than ever. The Addamses remind us that there is no single definition of normal, and that our quirks, flaws, and eccentricities are what make us truly unique. Their unapologetic embrace of who they are (oddities and all) is a message of cceptance that speaks powerfully to audiences of all ages. As we have worked on this production, I have been continually inspired by the creativity, humour, and enthusiasm of our cast and crew. They have approached this show with open hearts and fearless imagination, embodying the spirit of the Addams family themselves. It has been a joy watching them take risks, support one another, and create a performance that balances both comedy and warmth. Before I sign off, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has helped make this production possible: our talented students and dedicated staff. This show is the result of their countless hours of effort, passion, and collaboration. And now, dear audience members, as the moon rises and the shadows lengthen, we invite you to enter the weird and wonderful world of The Addams Family. We hope you leave tonight reminded that it is our differences that make life beautiful, eerily, and perfectly complete.
Dr Richard Webster Director
PRODUCTION TEAM
Director and Production Manager Richard Webster
Music Director Ineke Thorpe
Assistant Director Nelle Chesterman
Choreography The Dance Core Sarah Wang Hair and Make-up Design Amelia Lee
Ticketing Scott Hughes
Advertising, Poster, Programme and Digital Design Communications, Marketing & Advancement
Costume Kate Tan Natasha Malhotra
Production Crew Leader and Stage Manager Josh Taylor
Deputy Stage Manager Eliza Dumas
Backstage Manager Nelle Chesterman
Sound Audio Image
Lighting Design Reuben Ong
Front of House The Theatre Council Daniel Maloney
Special Thanks Nexus International School, Ariffin Kamsuri, Kierran Collins, Daniel Maloney, Marcus Landseer, Natasha Malhotra, Mathilda Cook, Kathy Lange
PRODUCTION & BACKSTAGE CREW
ORCHESTRA
Sound Lead Ariana Gu
Marketing and Projection Kyubin Kim Set and Props Isla Wan Lin Ong
Lead Piano / Conductor Ineke Thorpe 2 nd Keyboard Elysse Law
1 st Keyboard Aidan Yong
Marketing and Props Stanley Bett
Flute Eva Jacobs
Set and Props Elisabeth Koo
Costumes Nainika Dass
Soprano and Tenor Saxophone Scott Hughes Alto Saxophone Brother Carlo
Alto Saxophone Aiden Gunaratne
Costumes Veda Balakrishnan
Costumes Roxy Ashidiq
Violin Gasmine Zheng
Set and Props Ethan Song
Set and Props Jay Bala
Violin James Lian
Cello Yiyuan Huang
Set and Props Hunter Burgess
Production Assistant Gaby Lim
Cello Isaac Chan
Cello Jacob Tan
Backstage Crew Esme Fantom
Ukulele / Electric Guitar Jordan Adelbert
Electric Bass Luke Chee
Auxiliary Percussion Kate Lyu
Drum Kit (Act I) Immanuel David
Drum Kit (Act II) Joshua Chia
CAST
Braedon Lee Gomez Addams
Jessica Chan Morticia Addams
Elisa Checchia Uncle Fester
Isabella Jong Wednesday Addams
What do you think is Gomez’s funniest or most heartfelt moment in the show? I believe the most heartfelt moment in the show for Gomez is when he confronts Morticia about lying to her. It shows that, throughout the second act, he has grown as a person and is able to accept what has happened and face his upset wife. It’s very similar to real-world situations, where moments like this are bound to happen. Rather than blaming each other during an argument, people should open up and talk things through until they have settled down.
Who or what was your biggest inspiration when it came to portraying your character? The sheer number of Addams Family reboots out there means I’ve been lucky to have had lots of amazing portrayals to draw inspiration from – the original Carolyn Jones, as well as Anjelica Huston in particular, both had a poise and control that I wanted to pay tribute to. What stood out most to me in the script, how- ever, was Morticia’s quiet strength; her candid reactions in the play, as well as the sacrifices she confidently makes for her family, reminded me so much of my own mum that I tried to channel her into my Morticia too.
What do you think Fester’s love for the moon represents in the story?
What physical choices (like posture or gestures) did you use to make Wednesday feel different from the other characters? Wednesday is written as a very determined, confident, morbid and almost ‘scary’ character. Because she is so different, it makes her seem somewhat awkward. I’ve seen many versions of The Addams Family, and in every one I’ve watched, she has an iconic and instantly recognisable stance where she stands with her arms crossed. She doesn’t smile much either, and I make some of my movements more rigid to make her appear more ‘awkward’. When meeting the Beinekes, I imagine her smile to be almost forced, as the Addams family are so different from the Beinekes, which could possibly embarrass her. Wednesday is such an interesting character, and I’m so grateful to have been given the chance to bring her to life.
I think it’s a reflection of the lack of representation of bald people… like Fester! Through the moon, self-love and bald empowerment are really channelled in this. I think Fester is pioneering the way for self-esteem to grow – with a crazy dream, a jet pack, and far too many songs about love (and you don’t need a head full of luscious locks to do that!).
Nina Vignola-Aoyama Grandma
Scarlett Ryan Pugsley Addams
Parth Chaubey Lurch
Eve Pearson Alice Beineke
What advice would you give aspiring actors?
What don’t you like about your character?
How do you feel about the play?
What did you enjoy most about exploring Alice’s transformation throughout the show? What I enjoyed most about Alice’s transformation throughout the show was getting to portray both sides of her: the overly put-together version at the beginning, and the more honest and emotional side that emerges later on. It was especially fun, during “full disclosure”, to act out her unfiltered side, almost like letting all her bottled-up emotions run free. Playing the moment when she finally snaps is both liberating and exhilarating. Portraying her transformation allowed me to understand how powerful it can be to simply let go and be genuine. I’m extremely grateful to have had the chance to bring that journey to life and to learn so much from her character.
Each experience is a unique journey. It will be difficult and stressful at times, but if you are truly passionate about what you do then hard work will pay off. It’s never about being perfect, it’s about learning who you are and enjoying yourself in the process.
What I don’t like about my character is that he’s always getting into trouble and sometimes lets his curiosity get the better of him. He can be a little selfish and doesn’t always think before he acts, which causes problems for himself and others. But deep down, he really just cares about his family and wants everything to stay the same — even if he goes about it in a rather messy way.
I feel great about the play, as I am able to hone my singing and acting skills, learning how to show expressions and convey emotions without the use of words, whilst working alongside an amazing and supportive cast.
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Gilwoo Han Lucas Beineke
Kyle James Mal Beineke
Floria Duque Ancestor
Tanya Chainani Ancestor
What compelled you to audition Addams Family?
How did you approach playing a character who feels so out of place in the Addams’ world? For me, Mal is a pretty ordinary character. He is definitely out of place compared to the rest of the cast, but I took this as an advantage. I figured that Mal is basically what would happen if anyone from our world were transported into the Addams’ world. With that in mind, I decided to act as if everyone around me is crazy and insane. Keeping this thought in mind allowed me to create comedic interactions with the Addams family.
During the period leading up to the performance, did you learn any new skills? I definitely did, I learnt all about how to move in character, and lots of new dance steps. It was so much fun doing the harmonies and descending notes. I also learnt about timing and stage cues, like when we have to run onstage for the dances and when to start or end singing. It’s also a lotta fun to stay in character, even when no one’s looking, like skipping off stage instead of walking.
How did your ancestor influence your movements or expressions?
Since I was in Grade 6, I was intrigued with musical actors who sang, danced and acted on stage. When the Addams Family hosted an audition, even though I had an expedition, I joyfully filmed my audition video. Additionally, big productions like this are a rare opportunity for me to develop my acting skills and perform alongside great seniors and friends.
My ancestor is a bride, so I tried to make my actions more graceful, and smooth. When we make big expressions, I try to make them look like I imagine a dead, gothic bride would make them; melancholic, sad, excited, joyful.
Emma Lam Ancestor
Eli Correa Ancestor
Trixie Huang Ancestor
Lei Nakayasu Ancestor
What’s the best part of acting to you?
Would you recommend acting to others? Why?
What carries you on to your next rehearsal?
How do you keep your individual character clear while staying synchronised with the ensemble? I maintain my individual character by moving with a freer, more unrestrained energy, similar to the confident spirit of a cowboy or cowgirl. I also incorporate twirls, allowing my skirt to flare naturally, which enhances the lively and bold personality of my character while still staying in rhythm with the ensemble.
The best part of acting for me is stepping out into such a gothic, weird, dramatic world and getting to go all out. Everyone’s character is very unique and over the top, it’s just so fun to embrace the dark humor and make the audience laugh.
Yes, I would definitely recommend acting to others, especially if you are more of an outgoing person, as it is a great way to express yourself. Personally, I am not particularly extroverted, but I still found acting very enjoyable because I can express myself on stage without feeling judged. It’s not just about the acting itself, but also about the friendships and experiences that come with being part of a production.
One thing that keeps me going is the knowledge that every actor on the team is incredibly supportive and willing to help if you mess up a dance move or trip over your feet. I also have so many friends I can chat with and joke around with. Having such a supportive group re- ally helped me push through when I was tired or felt like giving up. I’ve gained so many friends because of The Addams Family.
Tiana Clark Ancestor and Dance Core
Lau Yu En Ancestor
Christina Lee Ancestor and Dance Core
Kate Elizabeth Setiawan Ancestor
What’s one small gesture or movement you use that helps you stay “in character” the whole time, even when you’re in the background? One small gesture that helps me stay in character is “zombie hands”. It helps me get into the spooky, dead persona, and it features frequently in our choreography. Another small thing I do in all the scenes is try to incorporate the ballerina side of my character, making some of my movements more flowy and graceful while still remaining as stiff and dead-like as possible.
How do you make your charac- ter feel believable rather than just spooky or silly?
How do you feel after coming so far since the start of this year?
How do you channel your nervous energy into the arts?
I just think of how the character would think and then try to act it out and make it as realistic as possible.
I feel very proud of myself and everyone in this cast. I think we worked really hard and we were committed to making this an excellent show. Although I think I have a long way to go, this was a very fun and exciting experience to learn and enjoy theatre!
I just imagine that I am performing in a ballet show and really try to get into character. Since dance is something I use to “escape reality”, I try to become a completely different person, and I usually forget about being nervous or worrying about things like that!
Sanjna Giri Ancestor
Elaine Ni Ancestor
Irene Hong Ancestor and Dance Core
Beth Tan Ancestor and Dance Core
If you could travel back in time, would you still audition for the play? If I could travel back in time, I would definitely still audition for the play. It has been such a fun experience to be part of something so weird and lively, and I’ve learned so much simply by performing alongside everyone. Even with the long rehearsals, it has all been worth it for the laughs, the chaos, and the memories.
Tips for warming up before rehearsal?
Do you think peer support is necessary for the play? Why?
What’s your favorite part of the show to perform as a Dance Core, and why? My favourite part of the show to perform as the Dance Core is “Secrets”, where Morticia tells Alice that the Addams family does not keep any secrets. This song is a moderate tempo song with elements of light jazz, so it was really fun to choreograph it. The choreo in this is performed by only the dance cores, and the rhythmic beat of the song makes it really interesting for me to perform.
I would say always come prepared and don’t sit around doing nothing. Practice the dances by doing a small run-through and focusing on your weaker sections. Another important thing is to do vocal warm-ups to ensure that you don’t strain your voice while singing. Finally, make sure you practise singing and dancing at the same time so that you know you can manage both during the show!
Yes, I think peer support is essential for the play. A theatre performance is a team effort, not something one person can complete alone. When actors support each other, they communicate better, understand each other’s timing, and perform more naturally on stage. Peer support also helps build confidence. If someone feels nervous or forgets a line, their teammates can help them stay calm. With this support, the entire performance becomes smoother and more enjoyable for both the actors and the audience.
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Naomi Lam Ancestor and Dance Core
Tanvi Chaturvedi Ancestor
Sophie Naidu Ancestor
Rhea Patel Ancestor
What do you enjoy about working in a team?
What’s one thing you hope the audience notices about the Ancestors’ presence that they might not catch right away? One thing I hope the audience notices is that they are not just background characters or ghosts but they subtly influence the things on stage such as their reactions, movements and a silent support mirror the emotions of the living
What is your impression of the Addams Family and their home?
What are 2 things you want to say to your audience?
I think that the Addams Family may be a bit unconventional with their odd traditions such as the game, the family members themselves and their quirky traits such as Pugsley loving to be tortured by Wednesday and…Fester. However, I feel that they’re quite endearing as they all still care for each other, showing deep love towards each other. Their home reflects their personality, with it being eerie, gothic and filled with odd objects such as potions, a lone detached eyeball and many more bizarre knick-knacks. Yet their strong family bond causes the house itself to feel warm and lively.
I really enjoy getting a taste of different people’s perspectives when you work in a team, especially for this show. When you have a team to work with, there’s so many points of input and I find it really fun to come up with choreography with everyone’s different ideas because no one’s ideas will be exactly the same. It’s so amazing to see all the ideas come together to form the final product and I find it really rewarding.
Welcome, mortals, to our delightfully dark family gathering - we’re dying to have you here! (pun intended) Sit back, relax and don’t be afraid to laugh…or scream - we promise you’ll have a hauntingly good time!
addams family, almost like a memory guiding them.
Zoe Emilianou Ancestor
Gabby Tay Ancestor and Dance Core
What time period is your ancestor from, and how did they die?
If you had to describe your Ancestor’s personality in three words, what would they be, and how do you show that physically? My character’s name is Barbarella Bombastica. She is bombastic, bodacious, beguiling. It shall be shown through my iconic duck face, fabulous strut. I aim to inspire a bombastic energy within the crowd!
My ancestor is a widow from the Victorian era, she died tragically from the dyes and chemicals in the mourning veils she wore for her various husbands who died from “mysterious” circumstances. Still, she parties flamboyantly in death, welcoming the newly dead to the Addams family crypt.
behind the scenes highlights
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