GNA High School – Thursday afternoon, March 12, 2020, the GNA Players put on a rendition of The Addams Family. The dress rehearsal turned surprise show went on amidst cancellation of the Friday and Saturday performances in light of public health concerns.

Just days ago, The GNA Insider had the opportunity of meeting with some of our cast for an interview.

Gabe Jenceleski – Gomez Addams

What is your favorite part about the character you’re playing?

Definitely the genuine nature of Gomez Addams. He just wants his whole family to feel happy, at any cost!

Since this is a musical, what is your favorite song in the show?

“Full Disclosure” hands down; it’s just outright hilarious the whole time. Between characters arguing, and fighting for position in each verse, to my own moments, it’s got a moment for everyone.

If you perform any song, what is your favorite and why?

“Not Today” has been my favorite to sing on my own, because I get to involve the whole audience in my lyrics!

How long have you been involved with the GNA Players or any theatre?

I’ve been involved for five shows; since 2016.

What is your favorite part about working on the show?

Watching it all come together in the end – a perfect reflection of all the hard work everyone devoted.

What does being on stage mean to you?

It means showcasing my own effort in my acting, and making the audience be a part of an experience more involving than a movie.

What do you have to say to anybody looking to come see the show?

Enjoy the creepy, cooky, mysterious and spooky, and enjoy the show!

Alicia Pacheco – Morticia Addams

What is your favorite part about the character you’re playing?

Honestly, I think it’s the whole attitude of Morticia Addams. It’s exciting to me, plus, being a mother figure has always been apart of me.

Since this is a musical, what is your favorite song in the show?

I am stuck between “Full Disclosure” and “Crazier Than You.”

If you perform any song, what is your favorite and why?

I perform two solo songs, but I love “Secrets” the best, because I find it funny how Morticia truly believes that Gomez doesn’t keep anything from her, even though he does.

How long have you been involved with the GNA Players or any theatre?

I have been with the GNA Players since my freshman year.

What is your favorite part about working on the show?

My favorite part will always be the bonds you make with a bunch of crazy people!

What does being on stage mean to you?

Being on stage means I become a whole new person, whether it’s singing a song or literally being a different person!

What do you have to say to anybody looking to come see the show?

Enjoy, you are definitely in for a spooky and cooky surprise!

Maura Jenceleski – Wednesday Addams

What is your favorite part about the character you’re playing?

I think my favorite part is that I’m playing a role I grew up watching. Wednesday Addams was always my favorite character from the movies, so it only felt fitting to audition for the great role. Not to mention, working with my close friends is an absolutely wonderful experience. 

Since this is a musical, what is your favorite song in the show?

My favorite song by far has to be “Happy/Sad.” It’s a sentimental song between two entertaining characters that really shows the more emotional side of the Addams family.

If you perform any song, what is your favorite and why?

I perform quite a few songs as Wednesday, but my favorite that I sing would be “Pulled.” I get to dig deep and get a little crazy with the acting. It’s my first time singing for an audience so it’s super exciting, yet nerve racking.

How long have you been involved with the GNA Players or any theatre?

I have been involved with the GNA Players since my 7th grade year. I started out with working on set and being a part of stage crew, but this year I’ve been rewarded with the honor of performing with the ensemble and cast. 

What is your favorite part about working on the show?

My favorite part about working on the show is being a part of this huge family. All of the cast and stage crew are super close in real life, so coming together to create such a wonderful and seamless show is enjoyable and rewarding. 

What does being on stage mean to you?

Being on stage to me means being able to step into the shoes of a role nobody else could fill. When you get your part, you were chosen for a reason, and you work so hard on putting in every ounce of yourself to make it look flawless. For 2 shows a night you get to test your talents and enjoy the people you’re performing with. 

What do you have to say to anybody looking to come see the show?

I say to sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. The entire cast and crew have worked really hard to bring this all together for the audience, and we couldn’t have pulled it off without your support. Thank you!

Daniel Shevchenko – Pugsley Addams

What is your favorite part about the character you’re playing?

As Pugsley Addams, I play the role of a young boy with intense bitterness over his sister’s upcoming abandonment of him. This is one of few excuses I ever receive to express my inner demons, and I am glad to be able to play such an emotionally charged role.

Since this is a musical, what is your favorite song in the show?

“The Moon and Me,” sung by Fester Addams, is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful songs in the play—because of both its content per se and Sean Wolfe’s fantastic musical talent.

If you perform any song, what is your favorite and why?

Solo, I only perform one major song (“What If”); however, overall, I daresay that the finale (also known as “Move Towards the Darkness”) is the best song of those in which I participate, owing to its low undertones and its dark and philosophical content.

How long have you been involved with the GNA Players or any theatre?

This is my fourth year with the GNA Players; my first performance was the troupe was in my eighth-grade year, taking part in the show Godspell.

What is your favorite part about working on the show?

Taking part in a commitment of such a scale and significance – several hours’ worth of rehearsal every week, with plentiful opportunities for participants’ individual expressions of humor and personality – infallibly brings me far closer to my fellow co-actors than almost any school course or other extracurricular activity ever could; without this show (and the others which preceded it), my group of acquaintances would undoubtedly be far more narrow and mundane than it is presently.

What does being on stage mean to you?

To me, participation in anything on a stage is nothing short of a way of expressing my joy in singing, acting, etc. to other people en masse. It is a way to make myself seen and heard at will in a manner which does feel overly hefty or encumbering to me.

What do you have to say to anybody looking to come see the show?

Be on guard for any sharp humor and approach the show’s true meaning from a philosophical – rather than blunt – perspective.

Sean Wolfe – Fester Addams

What is your favorite part about the character you’re playing?

My favorite part about playing Uncle Fester is how goofy the character is, it’s been a lot of fun seeing just what I can do with him.

Since this is a musical, what is your favorite song in the show?

My favorite song would have to be “Full Disclosure.” There’s so much going on and it’s consistently been a blast to work on.

If you perform any song, what is your favorite and why?

I love performing “The Moon and Me.” It’s such a sweet and silly song simultaneously.

How long have you been involved with the GNA Players or any theatre?

This is my first time participating in a show.

What is your favorite part about working on the show?

My favorite part is getting to see everything come together, and see all the work we’ve put in pay off.

What does being on stage mean to you?

Being on stage means getting to express myself.

What do you have to say to anybody looking to come see the show?

You absolutely should, it’s going to be a blast. Not that I’m biased or anything.

Rachel Polifka – Grandma

What is your favorite part about the character you’re playing?

My favorite part about the character I’m playing is that Grandma is so funny.

Since this is a musical, what is your favorite song in the show?

My favorite song would probably be, the opening number “When You’re an Addams”.

If you perform any song, what is your favorite and why?

Still “When You’re an Addams” just because it’s a real fun song to perform.

How long have you been involved with the GNA Players or any theatre?

I have been with the GNA Players since my eighth grade year, so this is my third play for the school; but, I have also done shows outside of the school for theater at the grove.

What is your favorite part about working on the show?

My favorite part about working on the show is getting to spend time with the other cast members, we’re like a big family.

What does being on stage mean to you?

Being on stage for me is the time to put all my problems and worries behind me and just have fun. 

What do you have to say to anybody looking to come see the show?

It’s going to be a really fun and crazy show, and I can’t wait to see you all there!

Kyler Bednar – Lurch

What is your favorite part about the character you’re playing?

My favorite part of my character, Lurch, is that all of my dialogue is all grunts.

Since this is a musical, what is your favorite song in the show?

My favorite song in the show has to be “Trapped.” 

If you perform any song, what is your favorite and why?

“Move Toward the Darkness” because I actually sing.

How long have you been involved with the GNA Players or any theatre?

I’ve been involved with the GNA Players since 2018.

What is your favorite part about working on the show?

The best part of doing stuff like this is getting to know the cast and crew. It’s always a lot of fun to get to know everybody in the small amount of time you get to spend with them.

What does being on stage mean to you?

Being on stage allows me to give joy to people watching my performances, which is the main goal of an entertainer.

What do you have to say to anybody looking to come see the show?

We all feel like this is going to be a really good show. Come on and see it if you want to have some laughs.

Ben Bugdonovitch – Lucas Beineke

What is your favorite part about the character you’re playing?

The character I play, Lucas, isn’t actually in any other adaptations of “The Addams Family,” which I think is pretty rad. But my favorite part, I think, is getting to play someone who has to act pretty normal, but is actually a little crazier than he cares to admit at first. I think that’s a fun character.

Since this is a musical, what is your favorite song in the show?

Even though I don’t actually have anything to do with this song, I think “Pulled” is definitely my favorite. It’s fun, funny, and a song I knew before I even knew there was an Addams Family musical, oddly enough.

If you perform any song, what is your favorite and why?

My favorite song that I am in, is definitely “Crazier Than You.” Again, it’s a really fun song to listen to and perform, I think, and an important one for several of the characters in the show.

How long have you been involved with the GNA Players or any theatre?

I’ve been a part of the shows with the GNA Players since I was in 8th grade, and plan to participate in any way I can throughout High School. I was also a part of the drama club for 3 years back in middle school.

What is your favorite part about working on the show?

I think my favorite part about working on the show, on any of the shows I’ve been in, is really the fun memories you create as you’re working to put it all together. Not to mention the amazing feeling you get once it’s all done.

What does being on stage mean to you?

Being on stage, for me, is an incredible chance to grow, not to mention it’s fun. Back when I first did it, and I was beyond nervous, and flustered, I wasn’t sure if it was something I could enjoy. But I stuck with it, and even now, two years later, not only do I think it’s incredibly enjoyable, but I feel a lot more confident with being out there performing, or being in front of an audience in general.

What do you have to say to anybody looking to come see the show?

If you’re looking or planning to come see us, thank you! I hope you enjoy it, bring some friends, your family. It’s cheap, a couple of hours, you support the school and this program, and I think it’s a really fun show that I hope you enjoy!

Headshots courtesy of Mr. Mark Rutkowski.