The Chaminade Players Open THE ADDAMS FAMILY Tonight

The Chaminade Players, the award-winning drama troupe at Chaminade College Preparatory High School, present THE ADDAMS FAMILY MUSICAL, opening tonight, March 4, in the Tutor Family Center for the Performing Arts on the West Hills campus at 7500 Chaminade Ave.

"THE ADDAMS FAMILY MUSICAL has something for everyone - comedy, drama, romance even an ensemble of walking dead!" says Yvette Lawrence Bishop, director of drama and performing arts. "It has been such a joy rediscovering the lovable Addams clan and bringing them into the 21st century. This company is perfection and the show is a must-see."

The production runs March 4, 5, 11 and 12, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. Matinee performances take place March 6 and 13, 2016 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students and may be purchased online at www.chaminadeplayers.org.

Helmed by an all-star creative team, THE ADDAMS FAMILY features an original story, and it's every father's nightmare, says Bishop, a Broadway veteran best known for playing Belle in the longstanding Los Angeles company of DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. With Bishop directing the musical, other creative team members include choreographer Bill Burns; music director Dan Redfeld; Ovation Award-winning set designer Jeff McLaughlin, and technical director Mike Davis.

"We are incredibly blessed and proud to bring together these resources on the Chaminade West Hills campus to empower our students to create art of the highest caliber," Bishop added.

With book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, THE ADDAMS FAMILY is based on characters created by Charles Addams.

"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," Bishop says. "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."

THE ADDAMS FAMILY comes on the heels of The Chaminade Players' successful 2015 season, during which they won "Best Musical," (DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST), "Best Supporting Actor" (Gaston) and "Best Supporting Actress" (Mrs. Potts) at the Jerry Herman Awards for Los Angeles-area high school musical theatre at The Pantages in Hollywood. Additionally, Brianna Bryan (Class of 2015) was selected to compete in New York City at the Jimmy Awards, the national high school musical theatre competition.

Chaminade College Preparatory High School is a Catholic school in the Marianist tradition. For more information, visit www.chaminade.org.