PITTSBURG, Kan. — With only 12 rehearsals under their belt, the cast for “The Addams Family” is set to perform the kooky and spooky musical this weekend.  

Showtimes for the quirky musical are 7 p.m. Feb. 19, 20 and 21 with a 2 p.m. matinee performance Sunday, Feb. 22. The production will be presented by Triple Threat Threeactrics. Tickets can be purchased at pittks.org/memorial/. 

“The Addams Family” plot centers around Wednesday Addams falling in love with a “normal” boy and inviting his parents to meet her family. This musical comedy features a cast of 45 people with more than 30 ensemble members playing Addams’ ancestors.  

Director and Owner of Triple Threat Threeactrics Breana Clark said this was one of the biggest casts that her company has directed.  

“Working with this amount of people is a challenge, trying to find places for everyone on stage, but also making everyone feel like they have their own moment,” she said.  

Finding enough white and gray costumes for all time periods was also a challenge, she said, along with choreography for so many people.  

After their “Legally Blonde” production, Clark said she wanted to showcase talents from people of all ages in the community.  

“I wanted something that could be an all-ages show, but I wanted something that the leads were not teenagers,” she said, “because coming off of “Legally Blonde” we had really already focused on that demographic.” So, I wanted to provide opportunities to people who were a little bit older who wanted to play parts. And I liked the idea that families could come to the show and watch and enjoy.” 

Pittsburg State University Sophomore Javen Woolsey, who plays Uncle Fester, shaved his head for the role rather than wear a bald cap as a commitment to his character. Woolsey said “The Addams Family” was a show he loved and saw the Broadway production when it toured.  

“This was definitely a dream role for me,” “So I’m very happy I get to do it.”  

Kylee VanHorn, of Webb City, who plays an ancestor, said it's been a hectic two weeks with driving to and from rehearsals after work, but she wanted to be in “The Addams Family” because she loves anything that is spooky. She also wanted to act under Clark’s direction as she believes anything Clark touches turns to gold.  

“It’s phenomenal how this comes together in two weeks,” she said. “I do a lot of theater, and nobody does this in this area. This is fantastic. You would think we spent months on this.” 

The group had two fewer rehearsals than normal because of the snow and Valentine’s Day.  

Ben Bolinger, who has also acted in Clark’s productions in the past, is the assistant director. Choreography was managed by Liz Smith and Sofia Zacharias. Anna Ozbun and Ally Rose are the stage managers. Set construction was completed by Dale Clark, Jeff Martin and Cole Ingerson. Sound was handled by Kyle Newby and Jaxx Polomsky.  

Many of the people lend their talents in multiple ways during the productions, Clark said.  

“That’s truly something I love about the Triple Threat process is that we have had people in the show that have directed, musical directed and otherwise, and choreographed and there’s a place for everybody if they want to come have fun with us,” she said.  

Triple Threat Threeactrics will announce their new show season, which will begin in the summer, within the next few weeks.  

This reporting is made possible, in part, by the Support Local Journalism Project Fund. Learn more at: southeastkansas.org/Localnews.