By Naomi Tsuang
Staff Writer
Juliana Rosenfeld is a senior at Mira Costa and she plays the Grandma in “The Addams Family.” The grandmother’s craziness acts as comedic relief. Rosenfeld has been in six plays at Mira Costa and she also participates in Comedy Sportz and plays Manhattan Beach Youth Basketball.
“I can’t wait to see people’s reactions because we’ve all worked really hard,” Rosenfeld said. “It’s going to be awesome to get applauses and to have a big audience react to us.”
Senior Miranda Baldo plays the lead role of Morticia Addams in “The Addams Family.” Morticia Addams is the mother and head of the Addams family. “The Addams Family” will be Baldo’s seventh production and she is also the manager of Comedy Sportz.
“I think that my favorite thing about being part of the Drama Department is being able to express myself through different characters and being accepted by everyone for doing that,” Baldo said. “It’s hard to find people that allow you to be yourself by doing things like getting on stage and playing characters. We all support each other which is very cool.”
Senior Chris Aniello plays Uncle Fester in “The Addams Family” in his first play at Mira Costa. Uncle Fester is the awkward but sweet glue of the family that brings everyone together. Although Aniello is not part of the Drama Department, he auditioned for the role. Aniello is also involved in the Reading Partners Club.
“What’s really unique about this play is that there’s a lot of group numbers,” Aniello said. “The cast is meant to be a family and there’s a lot of really high energy scenes and the costumes I think everyone will be really excited to see.”
Senior Rachel Kay plays Pugsley Addams, the chubby, innocent brother of Wednesday Addams in the musical. Pugsley constantly causes trouble for Wednesday in order to keep her away from the boy she wants to marry. “The Addams Family” is Kay’s eighth production at Costa and besides Drama, Kay is involved in the Associated Student Body and Comedy Sportz.
“I can’t wait for everyone to come and experience what we’ve been working on because the show is so unique and hilarious,” Kay said. “Getting that energy from the audience and hearing their reactions to the craziness that is going on stage will be really exciting.”
Senior Maddy Huggins plays Alice Beineke in “The Addams Family.” Alice is a woman who has spent her entire life supporting her husband and son, but her husband’s lack of love for her frustrates her. Throughout the musical, her frustration increases and she becomes a strong, independent woman. Huggins has been in all eight productions at Costa since her freshman year and is a member of Choir, National Honor Society and the equestrian team.
“I’m really excited for people to see all of the hard work that we’ve put in,” Huggins said. “The set looks amazing and it was completely built by tech students and the tech director. It’s a hilarious show and our dances look amazing. I think that visually it is a wonderful show and it’s going to be really nostalgic for people who know ‘The Addams Family’ well so I’m excited for them to take a dip into the past.”
Senior Duncan Bardeau plays the lead role of Gomez Addams in his third production at Mira Costa. Gomez Addams is the loving father in “The Addams Family.” Throughout the play, Gomez keeps the peace in his family, but is stuck between keeping a secret and being honest with his wife. Bardeau participates in Costa’s Comedy Sportz team and is on the varsity volleyball team.
“I’m excited for people to see what we’ve been working on for the past four months, to share a really fun experience with us and to just have fun with us,” Bardeau said.
Sophomore Noah Geller plays the lead role of Lucas Beineke in the musical for his fourth production. Lucas is one of the few normal characters, but throughout the play he breaks out of his shell and realizes that he is crazier than he originally thought. In addition to Drama, Geller dances outside of school at Fifth Row Center Performing Arts.
“The show in particular I think is going to be pretty impressive technically because there’s a lot of really interesting costumes and makeup and great special effects that I think will be really exciting to see,” Geller said.
Connor Tree is a junior at Mira Costa and “The Addams Family” is his seventh production at Costa. Tree plays Malcolm Beineke, who is the father of Lucas Beineke. Over the years, Malcolm has become grouchy and mean because life has been harsh to him, but throughout the play he learns to be himself again. Tree has been a member of Drama for three years and partakes in hobbies such as singing, acting and writing which have helped him to excel in Drama.
“I’m excited for people to see the magic of the show,” Tree said. “It’s a lot of singing, a lot of acting and a lot of special effects and I think that they’ll be really amazed by how much work has gone into it because that’s the best part about it.”
Senior Calyssa Frankel plays the lead role of Wednesday Addams in “The Addams Family.” Wednesday is the daughter in the family and she is usually portrayed as very stern and unemotional, but throughout the musical she transitions to a person with emotions and feelings. Frankel has been in five plays at Mira Costa and is the Co-President of Vocal Ensemble.
“It was really difficult at first [to play Wednesday] because I’m a very expressive and outwardly emotional person,” Frankel said. “I really had to focus on showing my emotions without physically showing my emotions which is really hard to do. But, being on stage makes me feel like everything that I’ve done to this point is worth it.”
Antonio Sellitto is a junior who plays Lurch in “The Addams Family.” Lurch is the butler for the Addams family who takes care of everyone. Sellitto is also in choir and in Mira Costa Muscle.
“I’ve been working a lot on just getting my mindset into Lurch,” Sellitto said. “I’m a very smiley person and Lurch is very solemn and he doesn’t talk at all. For me, it’s just getting myself in that mindset of what would he do in certain situations.”
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