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From left, Ironton High School students Londyn Haney, as Wednesday Addams, and Landon Deere, as Lucas Beineke, rehearse for “The Addams Family Musical: Young at Heart,” which will run this weekend at the school. (Heath Harrison | The Ironton Tribune)

Mason Wheeler portrays Gomez in “The Addams Family Musical: Young at Heart,” which will run this weekend at Ironton High School.

Tara Parnell, as Alice Beineke, and Natalie Carter, as Morticia Addams, rehearse for “The Addams Family Musical: Young at Heart,” which will run this weekend at Ironton High School. (Heath Harrison | Ironton Tribune)

Nellie Malone, as Pugsley Addams, and Landon Deere, as Lucas Beineke, rehearse for “The Addams Family Musical: Young at Heart,” which will run this weekend at Ironton High School. (Heath Harrison | Ironton Tribune)

Londyn Haney, as Wednesday Addams, rehearses for “The Addams Family Musical: Young at Heart,” which will run this weekend at Ironton High School. (Heath Harrison | Ironton Tribune)

Luca Silva, as Lurch; Natalie Carter, as Morticia Addams; and Mason Wheeler, as Gomez Addams, rehearse for “The Addams Family Musical: Young at Heart,” which will run this weekend at Ironton High School. (Heath Harrison | Ironton Tribune)

Wyatt Brown portrays Uncle Fester in “The Addams Family Musical: Young at Heart,” which will run this weekend at Ironton High School.

Londyn Haney, as Wednesday Addams, and Mason Wheeler, as Gomez Addams, rehearse for “The Addams Family Musical: Young at Heart,” which will run this weekend at Ironton High School. (Heath Harrison | Ironton Tribune)

‘Addams Family’ set for weekend at IHS

It’s been two months of hard work and now cast members are ready for the big show at Ironton High School.

“The Addams Family Musical: Young at Heart” will run through Sunday in the auditorium at the school.

With a cast of 18, the musical comedy, helmed by first time drama director Thaddeus Stambaugh, features the macabre family of characters from cartoonist Charles Addams and tells the story of daughter Wednesday falling in love with a man from an ordinary family.

Stambaugh said the cast is comprised entirely of Ironton High School students, along with one student from the middle school.

Some are returning from last year’s production of Annie Jr., while many are newcomers.

“For some, it’s their first production, but I guarantee you would never guess that,” Stambaugh said. 

He said the cast is “packed with talent” and praised their progress to the production date.

“They have been working past the two months to get the production up and going,” he said. “And they’ve come leaps and bounds.”

Playing the lead role of Wednesday is Londyn Haney, while Wednesday’s love interest, Lucas Beineke, is portrayed by Landon Deer.

Rounding out the leads are Natalie Carter and Mason Wheeler, as parents Morticia and Gomez, and Wyatt Brown, as Uncle Fester.

“It’s been a rush, Deer said, when asked about the work they have put into the show. “We did not have as much prep time as last year.”

Carter also noted their abbreviated schedule.

“Coming from the kids who have done it in years past, it’s definitely a shock, just because we’re not used to such a quick production,” she said. “We’re typically cast in October and start in January. And then were done with the show by now. But it’s been fun.”

They all had praise for their director for his leadership.

“I think, even though it’s been quick, Thaddeus has done a great job,” Wheeler said. “He got the reins really late and he’s turned it around.”

“We’re all very thankful for Thaddeus,” Carter said. “He’s done a great job.”

While Haney, Carter and Deer have done productions at the school before, Wheeler said it was a new experience for him.

“This is my first time doing this, and he’s done a really good job helping everyone along,” he said. “I haven’t had a bad experience with him yet.”

The cast was asked what the audience can expect from the show.

“A lot of comedy,” Deer said.

While Wheeler and Carter said the story also take many unexpected turns.

Haney said they have “a great cast.”

“There are very talented people in this cast who have worked very hard,” she said. “It’s been an awesome experience.”

Wheeler noted the scope of the production.

“From an audience standpoint, it’s probably one of the more impressive shows, in terms of songs,” he said.

And Carter said the audience will “definitely be entertained.”
“I don’t think there will be anyone in the audience bored while watching it,” she said. “For sure. It stays upbeat.”

The show is set for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 3 p.m. on Sunday. Doors open one hour prior to showtime. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and the show runs about an hour and a half, Stambaugh said.

Doors open one hour prior to showtime. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and the show runs about an hour and a half, Stambaugh said.

“It’s a heartwarming show,” he said. “It is filled with humor and touching moments. And it’s a reminder for everyone to be true to themselves.”

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