Fun, macabre ‘Addams Family’ hitting Ocoee High School stage

They’re creepy, and they’re kooky, mysterious and spooky, they’re altogether ooky — they’re the cast of Ocoee High School’s “The Addams Family.” And they will be hitting the stage this week.

Enjoy a fun musical with the quirky and macabre Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, Pugsley, Lurch and the other zany characters from the television series and films — taking place in Ocoee’s newly renovated theater space with an improved theater department, said instructional coach Xan Kahn. Her husband, Kris Kahn, is the theater teacher and director, and the two have collaborated to bring this show to the school.

Xan Kahn said she is excited to bring such a large cast to the stage.

“This is one of the largest productions Ocoee has produced in a long time,” she said. “So many students are getting to perform in a show for the very first time. We have about … 40 cast members and another 20 crew members and another 30 to 40 band members, so about 100 involved in the production.”

Kris Kahn selected the show in the fall after he spent some time getting to know the students, learning the culture of the campus, and learning what would be the best show for showing off their skill set and what would garner interest, Xan Kahn said.

Kris Kahn was at Cypress Creek High School for 13 years until he was asked to come to Ocoee “to breathe some life into it,” Xan Kahn said.

“He’s pretty much starting from scratch,” she said. “And we’ve recently been approved to be a technical school magnet. It’s just trying to get the enrollment in to choose to come here and choose to become part of the program. We’re seeing that pay off.”

This production marks the debut of Ocoee High School’s newly renovated theater and the new and improved theater department. As a result of these enhancements, Ocoee High will be opening its 2025-26 school year with a Technical Theatre Arts Academy, partnering with companies such as Walt Disney World Live Entertainment, Universal Studios, The Sewing Studio and AEO FX Makeup for mentorships, workshops and exclusive apprenticeship opportunities.

The thespians were treated to a guest visitor recently when Rachel Potter went to the school to give the cast a pep talk and discuss her experiences as a professional Broadway performer. Potter has played two roles on Broadway: Wednesday from “The Addams Family Musical” and Glinda from “Wicked.” 

Kris Kahn’s background is in professional theater and performed at Walt Disney World for 20 years before switching careers and teaching full time. He and Potter worked together in the early 2000s at Disney, so he reached out to her, and she agreed to visit Ocoee High.

The partnerships also have allowed for makeup special-effects training from AEO and student training and set work from Walt Disney World Live Entertainment.

“We do have a costuming and makeup class,” Xan Kahn said. “We’re one of the only high schools in Orange County that offer that.”

This also is one of the largest sets Ocoee has built in several years.

“It’s a very physically imposing set with multiple levels, and I do know there will be some kind of dragon monster,” she said.

“(Audiences) can expect that it’s very fantastical, it’s a lot of fun,” Xan Kahn said. “There’s some really great costumes and really beautiful lighting design, because we have a new lighting system. A lot of productions we had on-off lights, and now we can change colors.”

“The show is quirky, and we think the students will relate to it understanding differences and family dynamic,” she said. “Plus, they’ll find it funny and fun.”

In “The Addams Family Musical,” Wednesday falls in love with a “normal” boy, leading to funny chaos as the two families meet. With catchy songs and eccentric characters, the musical celebrates the importance of family and embracing one’s uniqueness.

Giancarlos Delgado, a junior, plays Gomez, the patriarch of the Addams family, and he said he is looking forward to experiencing the finished product.

“This show is an absolutely wonderful show, and while it is so physically and vocally demanding, when we put it all together it is nothing other than fun,” he said. “Getting to just watch this group of friends and family put this show on is so enjoyable, and I’m looking forward to audiences getting to watch this beautiful cast.”

He wanted to be Gomez because of the character’s quick wit, and he relished the chance to grow as a performer with the list of challenging songs.

Armani Bennett, also a junior, hits the stage as Morticia and is ready to get into costume and bring the character to life.

“She embodies femininity and dominance, making her an intriguing character to portray,” Bennett said. “I wanted to tackle Morticia, because she’s unlike any character I’ve played before, both personality-wise and vocally. I’ve always delved into soprano characters, but with her, I get to sing more in my lower register, which is cool.”

Bennett’s favorite song is “Just Around the Coroner,” because she gets the chance to be cheeky.

 “It’s one of few scenes where I get to step out of being stoic,” she said. “With this song, the audience is her confidant because she’s struggling with her husband lying to her and her daughter getting married, yet she finds comfort in what she loves — death.”

Pugsley is played by freshman Malherbre Thermidor, and he’s looking forward to playing the comedic role and getting a lot of laughs out of the audience.

“He’s definitely a character that lets me go about playing him how I want,” he said.

His favorite song is “Pulled.”

“I love the second half where it’s all fun and upbeat, and the screaming is so fun to do,” Thermidor said.

Sophomore Noah Zulkifli plays Wednesday.

“I’m most looking forward to performing the songs,” he said. “Wednesday has been, by far, one of the most, if not the most, vocally challenging role I’ve ever done, and I’m thrilled to be able to put my skills to the test and perform her songs.”

He said the character is unlike any he’s played before but it suits him best.

He’s looking forward to hearing the songs “Secrets,” “Trapped” and “One Normal Night.”

CAST AND CREW

• Giancarlos Delgado: Gomez Addams

• Armani Bennett: Morticia Addams

• Colby Salvatore: Uncle Fester

• Eryana Collier: Grandma

• Noah Zulkifli: Wednesday Addams

• Malherbre Thermidor: Pugsley Addams

• Jonathan Medacier: Lurch

• David Thompson: Mal Beineke

• Haylen Casey: Alice Beineke

• Micah Staples: Lucas Beineke

• The Addams Ancestors are played by Amani Aguirresaenz, Justena Armstead, Bresaia Brewer, William Bulgin, Madison Caputo, Tahina Cajuste, Hayden Chesteine, Noen Cotes, Sophia Covey, Najee Crespo, Yaliza Diaz, Molly Dunagan, Neyemie Franck, Jade Gains, Daniela Garricks, Abby Horvath, Elyanna Irizarry, Jayda Lucien, Kersline Lully, Preston Marquez, Raegan Martin, Peyton-Ashley Method, Amaris Rodriguez, Marianna Rodriguez, Alessandra Roque and Khloe Strickland.

• Kris Kahn: Director and head of sound

• Nate Caldwell: Musical director and chorus conductor

• Abdianys Paul: Choreographer

• Marianna Rodriguez and Alessandra Roque: Dance captains

• Emily Marsden: Stage manager

• Jayci Massey and Lillyann Cothern: Assistant stage managers

• Audrey Walker and Marley Hazzard: Sound technicians

• Mari Wright: Head of lights

• Barbie Thompson: Head of props

• Lorna Saint Hilaire: Props assistant

• Stormé Jones: Head of wardrobe

• Rihana Campbell: Head of makeup

• Greg Roberts: Head of run crew

• In the run crew are Madison Simmons, Xander Dewitt, Daina Cales-Morales, Troy Walding Jr., Armondo Hernandez, Mia Muguia and Mikayla Joseph.

• Xan Kahn and Molly Dunagan: Publicity

• Lauren Tannen: Pianist

• Jennifer Brown-Rolle and Bernard Hendricks: Orchestra directors

• Performing in the orchestra are Liyana Marc, Aliya Kishun, Christ-Nerlain Bredy, Veda Anderson, Marcus Occess, Ja’Mari Taylor, Antwon Pouncy, Jasiah Sonnier, Jonathan Pierre Louis, Priyanka Mills, Tristan Jean-Louis, Isabella Gerena, Cheyenne West-Legildy, Hannah Cain, Bethany Adams, Riley Jones, Christian Finley, Georgie Greene, Essynce Carmona, Omari Shaw, Tanner De La Cruz, Jesus Alvarado, Madison Johnson, Fedeline Norzelus, Quincy Thebaud, Jason Hernandez-Ortega, Amy Huynh, Kevon Tulloch, Marcus Jiao, Andy Pierre-Louis and David De Souza.

• Glen DiGirolamo: Graphic design

• Haley Hostetter: Scenic design artist

• Isabella Baez, Isabella Porto and Camili Paiva: Scenic artists