Local Theatre a Family Affair

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AIKEN, SC (09/23/2018) Several University of South Carolina Aiken students took center stage, helping launch the Aiken Community Theatre's 67th season.

ACT kicked off the season with The Addams Family, A Musical, which featured three Pacers: Carlee McClary, Courtney Poda and Mo Pruiett.

McClary played the part of Amelia Addams, a deceased airline hostess who is a member of the Addams family. She is a senior theatre major and has had roles in several ACT productions, including Auntie Mame and the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

The leading role of Wednesday Addams was played by Poda. This senior sociology major is also active in the theatre department on campus.

Pruiett, a veteran performer at ACT, played Pugsley Addams. He is a senior history major with a theatre minor. He played the lead in the community theatre's production of Peter Pan last season.

Directed by Kyle Seconi and Steven McKinney, the musical is based on the 1964 television show by the same name. Viewers may recall that "they're creepy and they're cooky, mysterious and spooky; they're altogether ooky, the Addams Family."

In the production on the ACT stage, daughter, Wednesday Addams, grew up and fell in love with a young man who comes from a much different background than hers. During an introductory family dinner when both sides come to the table, sparks truly fly after a special potion brings out the best and worst in members of the families. The themes of love, "normal" family dynamics, and forgiveness resound throughout the show.