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03/20/2019 09:41 AMFor the past several months, The Morgan School Music Department has been busy preparing for its spring production of The Addams Family. Those efforts will culminate with four shows of the production to be held from Thursday, March 28 through Sunday, March 31.
“We have a really good reputation with people who have seen our productions,” said Director John Lampe. “They know they’ll be watching kids who are very professional and treat it like a professional gig.”
The students auditioned for roles in December and not only are responsible for learning their roles, but also for raising money for the program through a patron drive, a program drive, and ticket sales. While the school pays Lampe’s salary and allows use of the auditorium, the students raise the rest of the money needed in order to put on the play.
“We’re very fortunate to have support from the town,” said Lampe. “People tend to be generous for our drive and we do pretty well on tickets, so we’re able to make ends meet.”
There are more than 30 students in the cast with the 10 principal roles double-cast. Lampe noted that double-casting not only gives more students the opportunity to be in the spotlight, but it also gives them a backup plan should an actor not be able to perform on a given night. When the students who are double-cast are not playing their principal role, they are part of the ensemble.
“They have to know their parts as well as all of the ensemble dances and it helps them appreciate everything that goes on around them,” said Lampe. “It’s twice as much work to be in a principal role and it’s twice as much work for me, but the kids make it worth it. A lot of people will come to see it twice because they want to see both casts.”
Lampe’s efforts to showcase different talents go beyond high school. For years now, he has opened up the production to interested students from the Abraham Pierson School and Jared Eliot Middle School, allowing younger aspiring actors and actresses to share the stage with the high school performers.
“I’m a firm believer that it should be open to all ages and it’s about people working together and being supportive of each other,” said Lampe. “It’s great for the younger kids to work with high school kids. When they come in when they’re young, they’re in awe of them and it’s a real thrill for them. All of the schools should be working together to grow together. Isn’t that what education is all about?”
Lampe has worked with hundreds of students throughout his career as he has been the director of the program since 1986. Since that time, he has worked alongside choreographer Diana Harris. He also works with his wife Elaine, who manages the publicity, finances, and ticket sales, and Ray Harris, the band director, who supervises the technical aspects of lighting and sound. There is also a crew of about 25 students.
“Diana and I can read each other’s minds, which makes for a very comfortable work atmosphere,” said Lampe. “With my wife handling her part, it lets me do what I do best.”
The production is complemented by a full, semi-professional orchestra. There are several parent volunteers who have helped Lampe from the time their children were with the program and, though their children have since graduated, they continue to contribute. Laura Bencivengo supervises the costumes and Cheryl Waterbury helps Elaine Lampe with ticketing. Shannon Robinson, the media specialist at Morgan, also helps.
With the high school being just a few years old, this is just the third production Lampe is directing in the new auditorium. He has enjoyed the larger space as well as the updated technology with the lighting and sound.
“Aesthetically it’s a very beautiful auditorium and one of the real blessings, everything is brand new and up to date,” said Lampe. “It’s a pretty big auditorium with 500 seats. We close off the balcony and try to fill downstairs—that’s a lot of seats to fill.”
Lampe is hoping to fill as many seats as possible. According to the synopsis, “The Addams Family 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, Wednesday 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.”
“This show is really light and good-natured and people will really enjoy it—even if they’re not into musicals, it’s a good one to see because it was made for laughs,” said Lampe. “The kids get to be silly and have some fun with it. Come out and support us. These kids deserve the support of the whole town because they really work hard and this is a program you want to see thrive.”
The Addams Family will be performed at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 28, Friday, March 29, and Saturday, March 30. There will be a matinée at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 31. Tickets are $15 and available by calling 860-663-0470. Tickets will also be available at the door.