Is anyone familiar with the Addams family? Apparently, they're creepy and they're kooky, mysterious and spooky, they're altogether ooky, and they're coming to Penn Manor High School (PMHS).

For this year's spring musical, PMHS Thespian Troupe 274 will perform "The Addams Family - School Edition," which will be the first musical performed in the high school's new Ranck Auditorium. Inspired by the black-and-white television show, "The Addams Family - School Edition" revolves around Wednesday Addams, who has grown up and fallen in love with a "normal" man, Lucas Beineke, who has never met her family. Having kept her love life a secret, Wednesday finally decides to let the two families meet before she and Lucas get married. The show is filled with shenanigans, romance, antics, and hilarious moments suitable for people of all ages.

"We have a lot of talent and for two years, we haven't gotten to use it to the extent that we should have been able to, so I wanted to choose something with a huge lead cast where we could showcase all of the talent we have," stated musical director and choral ensemble teacher Lauren Ciemiewicz.

Principal cast members are Kaleb Kabakjian as Gomez Addams, Grace Fafel as Morticia Addams, Colin Rost as Uncle Fester, Elizabeth Lebo as Wednesday Addams, Amber Floyd as Grandma Addams, Ava Wolfersberger as Pugsley Addams, Maximillian Ponton as Lurch, David Ferre as Mal Beineke, Emily Witmer as Alice Beineke, and Jordan Smith as Lucas Beineke. More than 20 students make up the rest of the cast.

This will be the first musical Ciemiewicz has directed. "It was a lot for me to try to take this on, as (the students) all know, but it's been such a fun experience for me and they've just been amazing students to work with," commented Ciemiewicz.

"We had a director who, unfortunately, had to step down, so we were left with this gap in our program, and if it wasn't filled, we weren't going to have a production," explained Elizabeth. "Mrs. C. stepped up and is sacrificing her time and her personal life for us to have this opportunity. We are so thankful."

"Having a music teacher direct the show is super helpful," said Kaleb. "She shows us how the music ties into the scenes and the themes. It's just a lot of good insight."

Live showings of PMHS' "The Addams Family - School Edition" will take place at Penn Manor High School, 100 E. Cottage Ave., Millersville, at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 10, and 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 11, and Saturday, March 12, with a matinee showing at 2 p.m. on March 12. Tickets can be purchased at the box office before the performances or in advance at https://pennmanor.seatyourself.biz. Thursday's show will be the only performance free to senior citizens with a Comet Classic card. To learn more about the Comet Classic Program, visit http://www.pennmanor.net/comet-classic-card/.

This year, PMHS is celebrating 50 years of staging musicals. "We are hoping that many alumni will come back to visit us," noted spring musical producer Melissa Mintzer. "Sort of a family reunion at the 'The Addams Family.'"

Those with questions about accessibility or parking or concerns regarding social distancing may call the PMHS box office at 717-872-9520, ext. 1958. For more information, search for "Penn Manor Theatre" on Facebook or @pmtheatre on Instagram.