February 24, 2016
Story and photos by Joe Vinduska
Barton Community College’s music department will present “The Addams Family: A New Musical Comedy” at 7:30 p.m. March 4 and 5 and at 2 p.m. March 6 in the Fine Arts Auditorium.
The show is being directed by Barton’s Director of Chorale Activities Vern Fryberger. He has participated in 47 musicals over a span of 35 years.
According to Fryberger, the musical “features an original story, and it’s every father’s nightmare. Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family. A man her parents have never met. And if that weren’t upsetting enough, she confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before — keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s ‘normal’ boyfriend and his parents.”
Holly Lueth of Hoisington plays the Dead Queen in the production and said the production is enjoyable for all ages.
“If you grew up in in my era and you watched the original ‘Addams Family’ it was such a neat show back then and so it brings back a lot of memories, it’s comfortable and it’s something we grew up with,” she said. “For the younger kids, it’s just a really neat show. The staging, the lighting, the tech parts are great and the scenery is amazing. Also, for any kid that would be interested in going into theater, participating in the music or being in the pit it’s an opportunity to see what that’s like. It’s just pure enjoyment. It’s such a fun musical.”
Lueth said the vibe between the cast, crew and directors has made it a fun experience for her.
“They’re all great,” she said. “Vern is a technician when it comes to the music and if he hears something we’re not doing right he revisits it and he has a really good sense of putting the principles with the chorus because we need them and they need us. We’re a unit. Sharon Sturgis (Stage Director and Choreographer) is very light and upbeat and it makes working for them a pleasure.”
Tasha Deiser of Salina said it’s been interesting working on such an iconic show.
“It’s a remake of such a classic,” she said. “It’s interesting to see it all in color and to see how the music and dancing all mix together.”
Deiser plays Wednesday Addams who is known for her famous stone-cold stare.
“It’s hard to keep a straight face all the time,” she said. “It’s really difficult.”
Tickets are $10. All seats are reserved and are available online at addamsfamily.bartonccc.edu. There will be limited general admission tickets available at the door, but those wishing to see the show are encouraged to order reserve tickets. Any patron needing ticket assistance can call the box office at (620) 786-1150.
The show is being underwritten by The Great Bend Tribune and Brad and Sarah Shirer. Show sponsors include: Becker Tire and Treading, Farmer’s Bank and Trust, First Kansas Bank, Bill King and Marmie’s.
The musical is based off of characters created by Charles Addams and the book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa.
For questions, contact Vern Fryberger at fybergerv@bartonccc.edu or (620) 792-9395.