For the first time in Sunny Hills history, the theater program has staged three productions in a school year – the latest being the musical comedy, “The Addams Family,” which debuts tonight, April 4.
“I am trying to build the program up to doing three productions a year,” English and theater teacher Christian Penuelas said. “It’s pretty standard for most high school theater programs.”
Though Penuelas is in his third year at Sunny Hills, he said previous drama teachers here have usually produced one major production in the fall semester and one in the spring.
With a cast of 50 students including the tech and makeup team, “The Addams Family” features music and lyrics by composer Andrew Lippa from 2010 and is scripted by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. This adaptation has nothing to do with the 1960s black and white TV series of the same name; instead, it’s based on the original gag cartoon made by Charles Addams in 1938, according to Theatrical Rights Worldwide.
But the classic finger-snapping opening of the TV series will make an appearance at the beginning of the performance, while audiences familiar with “The Addams Family” should look out for an Easter egg near the end, Penuelas said.
The production’s plot centers on the only Addams family daughter, Wednesday (played by senior Lara Martinez), who announces to her eccentric family members that she has decided to marry a man named Lucas Beineke, played by senior Derek Thomson, he said.
“This play is about Wednesday Addams falling in love with a ‘normal’ person, and her parents, Gomez and Morticia, trying to cope with the family changes,” Penuelas said. “The musical has themes of being yourself and not trying to change yourself to be liked by other people.”
The drama teacher said he chose to direct this play because of its positive message and how entertaining it is.
“The kids are excited about it, and I think it’s a good show that will get the school excited,” Penuelas said.
Besides today, April 4, at 7 p.m., the more than two-hour production will run at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 5, and Thursday-Saturday, April 11-13. The last day on the 13th, an additional 1 p.m. showing has been added.
Penuelas said he decided to skip staging a performance on Saturday, April 6, because that’s also the same day as the school’s prom in Long Beach.
“I did not want to interfere with prom, and there are several students who are in the musical that are attending prom,” the theater teacher said. “Prom is an important high school experience, so I didn’t want to take that away from these students.”
Currently in the period two Theatre 3 class, Martinez said she is excited to be a part of the show as this is one of her dream roles.
“I feel very honored that I can be a part of the ‘Addams Family,’” she said. “I think it is a great opportunity for myself as an actress to explore and grow my acting capabilities.”
Thomson, who joined second period Theatre Tech this school year, said this is his first time playing a major role.
“I feel a little special; I have lines and that’s cool,” he said. “I’m excited for the show because it’s all coming together, and we’re getting costumes soon.”
Since this is the last major production of the school year for the theater department, Penuelas offered this one final thought for those who opt to come to watch the performance: “I want students to come away with an unforgettable high school experience.”
Tickets for the 7 p.m. musical, “The Addams Family,” are on sale at www.shhstheater.com. General admission costs $15, while a ticket bought with an Associated Student Body Gold Card is $12. “Platform fees” apply to each purchase and are $2.30 with general admission and $2.18 with a Gold Card.
