Can a girl named after a day of the week by her "weird" parents find happiness with a boy from a, supposedly, normal family? Upper Perkiomen's Drama Club answers that question with its presentation of "The Addams Family" which focuses on the Addams family's relationship with Wednesday's fiancé, Lucas (Joey Sperring), and his family.

Closing out the first act as the dinner scene featuring "The Game" led by Gomez as he walks atop the dinner table where the Addams Family and Beinke's meet together as comlete families for the first time.

            In the musical comedy, appropriately opening on Wednesday, March 11 with the Gold Card performance, the characters work their way through ups and downs while learning lessons about unconditional love. The proposed marriage pits Wednesday's parents, Gomez (Sean Lao) and Morticia (Maggie Wambold), against the Beinekes,

Members of the Addams Family, Grandma (Mikayle  Broom), Morticia (Maggie Wambold), Wednesday (Abby Bowers), Lurch (Parker Borchett), Gomes (Sean Lao), Pugsley (Micah Derr), and Fester (Ethan  Ranstead.

cynical Mal (Justin Mizerny) and repressed Alice (Delaney Williamson).

            "With Wednesday, especially in her song 'Pulled,' she's kind of caught between two worlds," explained Abby Bowers, the actress playing Wednesday. "She's balancing what she's always known, the darkness and macabre sense of humor she was born with, while also being introduced to a more 'cutesy' world."

            "She wants to have her fiancé meet her family because family is very important to her," veteran director Alicia Austin said. "But she's also very worried, as her family is not what is perceived to be normal. Lucas, her fiancé, is also very nervous because his family is not normal as well.

            "There are some very poignant scenes. There are some very funny scenes," Austin said. "There is a reckoning between these families and who they are to each other."

            Mizerny, the Cowardly Lion in last year's production of "The Wizard of Oz," 

The Beineke family arrives in the area of the Addams Family house and views a map searching for its location.

 noted Mal's metamorphosis in the play.
            "Mal is a skeptic of all the really strange things going on. More than anyone else, you really see him come out of his shell throughout the show and start to embrace the strange connection that each Addams family member has with one another," Mizerny said.

            Speaking of strange, Uncle Fester, played by Ethan Ranstead, turns out to have a pivotal role.

"Fester is kind of the matchmaker and playmaker of the show," said Ranstead, who can identify with his character.

            "I really like being weird on stage. It's fun to step outside of what you're normally comfortable doing. Sometimes I act dumb or strange around my friends, and they tell me to stop, but this is a chance to bring that energy in a way that fits — because that's who Fester is."

            The actors and actresses have embraced the comedic elements of the production.
            "I always enjoy roles where I can make people laugh," said Lao, who did just that as the Scarecrow in "The Wizard of Oz."

            Bowers, who played Glinda last year, noted the flexibility of comedy. "I can exaggerate myself a bit more, and I have more freedom. I'm not afraid to make a fool of myself in comedic roles."

            "I love being in a show that's funny. I think it makes the experience so much better when the audience is laughing, and I'm excited to hear those reactions," Wambold said.

            Austin knows comedy can be difficult, but it can work to the cast's advantage.

             "I think kids in high school are very willing and open to emote. Doing a drama is sometimes tricky because they don't have the life experience to back it up," she said.

            Several of the thespians prepared by watching the movies and shows, as well as performances by other high schools.

            "I didn't want to accidentally copy what other Wednesdays have done," Bowers said.

            "I've also watched other high school productions on YouTube, listened to the songs, and watched Broadway actresses who've played Morticia," said Wambold, a senior who is in her first production since sixth grade.

            After spending time studying the shows, Lao explained, "I'm trying my best not to be a carbon copy of another iteration. I wouldn't deliver lines exactly the way another school or actor played them. I want it to feel like my own version of Gomez."

            Mizerny's Mal is not a universal Addams Family character. "I tried to stick to the script and mold the character into my own version," he said.

            Austin lauded the work of her behind-the-scenes crew, including Student Director Caroline Yaroschak, who gives Austin constant feedback, helps as a stage manager, and works with understudies.

            "It's a really cool role because I get to work with both the cast and crew and be involved in so many aspects of the production," said Yaroschak, a senior, who played the role of Aunt Em in "The Wizard of Oz."           

            "I like the leadership aspect of this role, but I also love the creativity of acting. I might prefer acting a little more, but this has been such a cool new experience that I think I could grow to love it just as much."

            Preparing the play for production has been a bonding experience complemented by four "rookie" seniors and the energy of the freshmen cast and crew members.

            "The freshmen bring a lot of great energy," Ranstead said. "I'd even say they've kind of revived the drama club."

            "Everyone interacts well, and we've all become pretty good friends. It's been a great process working with such talented people," said Mizerny.

            Austin is assisted by co-director Colby Phillips, musical director Nolan Benner, choreographers Jennifer Dancy and Alyssa Gamboa, from Studios on Main, and technical director Matt Austin.

            Public performances will be held on Friday and Saturday nights, March 13 and 14, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 15, at 2 p.m. Center seating costs $12 and general admission is $10.

            Tickets are available at 24782.recitalticketing.com. Subject to availability, tickets will be sold at the door for each performance.

            The Gold Card show is scheduled for 1 p.m. on March 11. The understudies will have a chance to perform their roles for family in a closed production on Monday, March 16.

            "I think this kind of has a little bit of everything in it," Austin said. "It's family fun for everyone."