Local Teens Present 'The Addams Family' This Weekend

BETHEL, CT — Teens from Bethel, Danbury, Redding, Brookfield, Bridgewater, and New Milford will all be featured in a production of "The Addams Family" at Bethel High School on October 26, 27 and 28. The musical comedy features the ghoulish antics of Charles Addams' beloved family from cartoons, television, and movies as they interact with the "normal" world.

The production is being produced by the Bethel Parks and Recreation Commission and era productions.

Director Anthony DePoto and music director Erin Volpintesta are excited to see their teen cast tackle these iconic characters. DePoto teaches at Western Connecticut and runs innerACT Theatre, which travels to schools to provide theater programs. He says, "The Addams Family is the perfect show to get you into the Halloween spirit!"

This is the fourth teen production from the collaboration between Bethel Parks and Rec and era. The two groups came together in the fall of 2017. DePoto and Volpintesta approached Eileen Earle and Bethel Parks and Rec because they wanted to continue the momentum they developed doing theatrical productions when Volpintesta owned SparkArts. They both wanted to continue offering theater for children and teens in Bethel, and noticed that the Parks and Rec department did not have a theater program.

The program attracts kids between ages 13 and 18 from throughout the area. DePoto notes that along with Bethel residents, there are . The goals for the program are to have fun, of course, he says, but also to learn to work together as a collaborative theatrical group. "They are not just kids, they are students," he explains, "and I cast what is best for each student so he or she can learn and grow."

"The Addams Family A Musical Comedy" will be performed on Friday, Oct. 26 and Saturday Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. and Sunday Oct. 28 at 2 p.m. at Bethel High School, 300 Whittlesey Drive, Bethel. Tickets are $15 ($12 for seniors) and can be purchased at the door or online.