Harvard-Westlake stages Addams Family musical

The Addams Family musical opened on Nov. 14 at the Saperstein Theatre on Harvard-Westlake’s middle school campus. Each fall, the performing arts program stages a major musical production, with the cast dedicating nearly a year to rehearsals and preparation. This year, Performing Arts Director Fredreka Irvine took a bold step by exploring a style unlike previous productions.

“I thought it would be a good fit for the people I knew would audition,” Irvine said. “I also noticed that The Addams Family is really popular, and it seemed like a perfect show to stage after Halloween. We wanted to do something fun and different this year.”

The production featured 27 students in grades seven through nine at Harvard-Westlake. They collaborated since the start of the school year, rehearsing, choreographing, and designing costumes and makeup to bring the iconic Addams family to life.

“It’s a show I’ll always remember — it’s truly one of the greatest I’ve seen,” said audience member Mr. Wilson on opening night. “Everyone is going to be talking about this.”

The performers embraced the unique opportunity this musical presented.

“The theme of The Addams Family was amazing. There were so many twists, and the sets and lighting were incredible,” said Pierce Moore ’28, who played Pugsley. “The past musicals were great, but The Addams Family is superior.”

After months of hard work by 62 individuals, including the stagecraft team, the musical concluded its final performance Nov. 17 at the Saperstein Theatre. Friends and family of the cast brought flowers to celebrate the production’s successful finale. Even after three captivating performances, the audience was reluctant to leave, savoring the emotional impact of the show.

The Performing Arts Department is already preparing for next fall’s musical.