Nazareth Academy drama and speech teacher Kim White is in her element as students rehearse “The Addams Family” around her in a school hallway.
“When I was young, I would practice being Morticia,” White laughed. “I would stand in front of the mirror and snap my fingers.”
With Nazareth’s fall production always being the weekend before Halloween, the timing is perfect for “The Addams Family” to be performed at the La Grange Park school, White said.
“It’s a great show for the Halloween season,” said White, director of the production. “I think the audience will love the ghoulish theme and the fun of it.”
The premise of the musical is that Wednesday Addams has grown up and falls in love with a young man from a respectable family. She implores her family “to act normal” as her boyfriend and his parents visit for dinner, White said. Ancestors emerge from the family crypt this same night for their annual celebration of continuity and won’t go back in until “true love blooms.”
White said she had a chance to see a professional production of the musical this summer and the light bulb went off over her head about having Nazareth students perform the work.
“From the first number, it was like ‘We need to see if this is available and bring it here to do,'” White said.
Even with her arm in a sling from a series of health issues over the last six weeks, White, in her 26th year at the school, brings enthusiasm, excitement and humor to the practice. She joined in the school’s Pajama Day Oct. 15 by wearing Wonder Woman PJ’s, complete with a hooded crown.
“It’s kind of like the flu,” she told cast members about pre-show jitters and anxiety. “It’s better not knowing what’s coming. I want to let you know there are going to be days you feel frustrated. Just hang in there.”
The show has a dual cast, with each set of performers doing half of the six performances, including performances for peers and younger students.
While cast members love performing and most would be happy doing all six shows, there are benefits to the split casting.
“You are able to get a break and you can watch what someone else does with that role,” said Angela Calabria, a senior from Darien who plays Morticia.
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Oak Brook resident Camille Theriault, a senior, can talk regularly with the other Nazareth student performing the role of Wednesday, being as it her sister, Ana.
“Ana brings a little more anger to the character,” Camille said.”We are able to share the stage and I think people are going to enjoy the show. It’s really fun.”
Calabria, who plans to go into performing arts in college, said residents should attend.
“It is an incredible cast.” she said. “We do the play extremely well and it is nice timing with Halloween coming up.”
Kyle Norbut, a senior from LaGrange Highlands, is juggling his role as Gomez in the Nazareth play with school work and being part of an Illinois High School Theatre Festival production of “Rent,” which will be performed in January.
“I am handling it, so far,” Norbut smiled.
His plans are to head to New York or California for college as he pursues performing arts.
A key to nailing the role of Gomez, he said, is using an accent that works.
“Right now, it is a combination of Spanish and Count Dracula,” Norbut said.
Kevin Beese is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
It’s showtime
What: ‘The Addams Family’
When: 7 p.m. Oct. 22 to 24 and 2 p.m. Oct. 25
Where: Romano Family Theatre at Nazareth Academy, 1209 W. Ogden Ave., La Grange Park
Tickets: All seats are $15, can be reserved by calling 708-387-8537.