Casting Call: 'The Addams Family'

They're creepy and they're kooky, mysterious and spooky: Kelsey Theatre will hold auditions for "The Addams Family," the musical based on the classic TV show.

The Addams family, led by the elegantly gaunt and seemingly undead Morticia and her ever-devoted husband Gomez, is in turmoil. Their daughter Wednesday, now 18, finds herself falling in love, a sensation unsettling both for her and her family of endearing misfits. When the teen invites her new boyfriend, Lucas Beineke, over with his “normal” family to get better acquainted with the Addams household, comic chaos, including everything from an amorous giant squid to mixed-up potions to a scorching tango, ensues.

Auditionees should prepare one complete song from musical theatre with sheet music in the correct key. an accompanist will be provided. Actors will be asked to learn and perform a brief dance combination at the auditions, which will occur from 7-10 p.m. November 30 and December 3. Callbacks will be held as necessary. Audition appointments, although not required, are strongly recommended.Auditions will be held in the communications building adjacent to the theater.

Gomez Addams (male baritone)	he family patriarch, an adult man of uncertain age with an untraceable, vaguely Spanish accent. He is passionate and emotional, given to impulsive behaviors and theatrical pronouncements. He is propelled forward by constant curiosity and - ironically - love of life.
Morticia Addams (alto/mezzo)	Far more reserved and less demonstrative than her husband Gomez, but no less passionate for that. She always gives the impression that she is waiting to strike, yet is a warm and loving wife and mother, in her own way. The actor cast in this role must have a strong low range and be an exceptional dancer. Morticia is almost definitely not a vampire.
Wednesday Addams (early 20s, belter)	Gomez and Morticia's daughter, now in her early twenties and as homicidal as ever. Her stone face and stern demeanor hide an endless supply of rage and loathing, but in other ways she's not at all a typical post-adolescent. The actor cast in this role a very strong high belt.
Pugsley Addams (8-12, unchanged voice)	Wednesday's brother, a cheerfully destructive boy of around 10. Adores his sister unconditionally. Wants to ensure he won't lose her to her new boyfriend, so he takes matters into his own hands.
Uncle Fester (tenor)	A very strange duck.
Grandma (alto)	From the perspective of "normal" society, Grandma is definitely the strangest member of the Addams Family. She's a fully functioning witch, with a bench of potions and a very dodgy history; but she is also the most tuned-in and self-aware.
Lurch (bass)	The Addams' loyal servant, his work ethic unaffected by the fact that he is probably dead. A mostly silent role, this part requires a skilled physical comedian able to get laughs without words or facial expressions.
Lucas Beineke (early 20s, tenor)	The nervous, twitchy, Midwestern "Normal" whom Wednesday has fallen hopelessly in love with. Neither a risk taker or a man of action, or at least not so far.
Mal Beineke (baritone)	Lucas' father, an uptight and stubborn Ohioan who has never spent longer than thirty seconds outside of his comfort zone. Considers himself a reasonable man.
Alice Beineke (female, mezzo soprano)	Lucas' mother, who writes greeting card poetry for a living. A model mother and wife; bubbly and sweet, with inexhaustible patience and a genuine belief that everything will work out for the best. Also concealing a borderline psychopathic supply of anger and frustration, but she'll probably never say anything about that. Right?
The Ancestors (all)	The spirits of Addams' past, a motley crew of the dead and mostly dead. Some solo singing. Extensive harmony singing and strong dancing required.

Two or three rehearsals are expected in December; rehearsals will begin in earnest after New Year's and run three to four times per week until the show's opening. The show will run at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays February 26-March 6. The show, produced by Playful Theatre Productions, will be directed by Frank Ferrara and musically directed by Shannon Ferrara and Michael Gilch.

The recommended method of scheduling audition appointments is signing up online; alternately they can be made by calling (609)439-6596. Kelsey Theatre is located on the Mercer County Community College campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor.