JUNE
17 2022
THE ADDAMS FAMILY IS COMING TO GOWANDA “Define normal,” declares Grandmama when a grown-up Wednesday Addams pleads with her creepy and kooky family to have just one normal night.
the production as a “starter egg” to help move theater productions forward on the Hollywood Theater’s stage. The energy and chemistry between the cast is apparent. “It is a pleasure to work with the entire cast and crew. It’s a huge family honestly. Everyone is so talented and it’s great to take inspiration from them,” says Wray. Wesley describes the cast as “wonderful people who have developed a wonderful chemistry. I think they will surprise people with this show.”
Your night will be anything but normal at an upcoming performance of The Addams Family. Produced by Springville Center for the Arts, this macabre musical will be the first fullscale theater production to grace the stage of the Historic Hollywood Theater in Gowanda since its reopening last year. The Addams Family revolves around a mature Wednesday who is about to marry into a conservative, “normal” family. A show about love, family, honesty and growing up, Addams serves as an exploration of the clash between families of different backgrounds. This dark comedy will entertain children and adults alike with its macabre yet light-hearted musical numbers and visually appealing set and costume design.
familiar with the spooky family will know. When asked about her experience as Morticia, actor Isa Wray described it as “absolutely amazing. Morticia is such a “The cast is doing a really fun character. It’s so cool to good job tackling the chal- play someone so sassy.” lenging songs,” notes Music Director Doris Jones. The The show is directed by musical numbers, accompa- retired Orchard Park High nied by a full pit band, are School Principal Don Wesupbeat with a rocky vibe. ley, who began his career “The music is infectious,” teaching English and theshe asserts. ater in Gowanda Central Schools. An associate memThe characters are equal- ber of the Stage Directors ly infectious, as anyone and Choreographers Society
and an avid student of acting and directing technique, he has served as an acting coach for plays and musicals at local high schools and for individual actors on request. In retirement he played Jacey Squires in The Music Man and directed The Wiz at Gowanda Central before directing The Drawer Boy, Annie, and The Music Man at Springville Center for the Arts.
it closed for renovations. Since reopening in 2021, the Theater has hosted films, recitals, and special events, but nothing like The Addams Family. The Hollywood Theater is listed on both the New York State and National Register of Historic Places.
“The interesting thing about the Hollywood Theater- the one thing that hasn’t been brought back The Hollywood Theater to full capacity is the stage. opened in 1926 and had a That’s the last part of its solid run until 1992, when return to splendor. What
Performances of The Addams Family will run July 1st, 2nd and 3rd at the Historic Hollywood Theater, located on Main Street in the Village of Gowanda. Tickets are available for sale at SpringvilleArts.org or by calling Springville Center for the Arts at we’re doing for this show is (716)592-9038. we’re bringing in our own lighting, sound, and special effects,” explains Wesley, who is also funding the musical as his gift to the Hol ly wo o d Theater and Spring ville Center for the Arts. He views