Halloween morning, visual and performing arts teachers came to school dressed as various members of the infamous Addams family. This was more than merely a creative group costume; it was also the announcement of the “The Addams Family” as this year’s spring musical production. “Choosing the musical was two months long and a team process,” drama teacher Jeanne Jelnick said. “We came up with all sorts of possibilities until we landed where we landed, and right now, we’re really happy about it.”

Following over a month of preparing for auditions, the final cast list was announced after school on Dec. 3.Gomez Addams will be played by junior Nishad Francis, Morticia Addams by junior Anar Bhatt, Wednesday Addams by sophomore Rachel Abalos, Uncle Fester by junior Hannah Siekmann, Grandma by junior Aliyah Davis, Pugsley Addams by freshman Liam Fricker, Lurch by junior Nick Sanchez, Alice Beineke by sophomore Ariana Wu, Mal Beineke by sophomore Andrei Szczedrin and Lucas Beineke by sophomore Ian Aros.

“Casting for a musical is different from casting for a work of dramatic art like the fall play,” Jelnick said. “It’s complicated, it’s hard, and it’s heartbreaking, because we love all our kids so much. But it’s also life. We’re helping them learn.”