‘Addams Family’ with surprises at Petaluma High School

The Petaluma High School drama department will present ‘The Addams Family’ with a modern twist.|

Petaluma High School’s drama department has been preparing for its spring performance for months. The modern twist on The Addams Family Musical is directed by Fidaa Shaheen with musical director Lynda Smith. It opens April 27 at 7 p.m., with performances on April 28, April 29, May 4, May 5 and May 6.

The musical is unique in that Shaheen chose to adapt the script to add several characters and take out or replace some of the songs.

“It’s about the Addams Family that we all know and love, but there are some additional wonderful characters and some unexpected surprises that will make everybody happy,” said Shaheen.

“(The audience) is going to enjoy the dancing and the sets,” said Smith. “The sets are going to be great and the choreography is going to be really, really fun.”

One specific highlight is a song in which two characters engage in a tango. Smith said an orchestra from the PHS band will punctuate the performance, and add to the excitement. There will be 10 musicians, including the exciting addition of someone on the xylophone and bongos.

This is only the second show at PHS for both the director and the musical director. However, both have rich backgrounds in musical theater. Shaheen directed more than 10 shows at McNear Elementary School and Smith has worked on numerous productions in Los Angeles, and currently is the choir accompanist at the school. The two are PHS alumni, and they participated in shows as students so the school’s drama department is close to their hearts.

Senior Lana Spring is acting in her last show for Petaluma High, and is “really happy we’re doing such a fun show like the Addams Family with such a great cast.” She portrays Morticia, whom she described as more animated than the character in the ’60s TV show. Daughter Wednesday is played by junior Laura Sandoval, and her new love interest and member of a completely “normal” family, Lucas, is played by junior Cody Evans.

Tickets are $7 for students and $10 for the general public and will be sold at the door starting at 6:30 p.m. Proceeds go the school to support the drama department in its future endeavors.

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