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Director
Donna Koehler holding flowers and trying to hold back the
tears following the Mount Pulaski High School Drama Club's
performance of "The Addams Family Musical" on Saturday
night. On the right is Koehler's daughter Sydney, a senior
in the production. |
The
Addams Family: The MPHS Drama Club production a huge hit
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[April 17, 2015]
MOUNT
PULAKSI - Director Donna Koehler has guided the Mount Pulaski High
School Drama Club for the past 13 years. With this year's
performance of "The Addams Family Musical" on Saturday night, she
once again was very proud of her cast and crew.
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"I've known these particular kids for many years, so
it was extremely rewarding to experience their growth on stage and
their joy and excitement as they successfully performed four shows
this past weekend," said Koehler. "I especially enjoyed the music.
The songs are catchy and it was fun teaching the kids to dance.
There were ten seniors on The Addams Family Musical cast and crew
and our saying was, "Take the stage and leave a legacy." What a
legacy these seniors will leave. From Elizabeth Allen's stunning
portrayal of Morticia to Samantha McCarty and Hannah Riedle
fabulously splitting the role of Wednesday at different productions,
these senior girls did not miss a mark.
Not to be outdone, the senior boys included Brady Walsh as a
phenomenally funny Uncle Fester and Clayton Lindley as a perfectly
portrayed Lucas Beineke.
Squeeze in fellow seniors Julia Beccue as Pugsley and Brady
Coppinger as Mal Beineke, and it was easy to understand why the
audience was nonstop laughter and applause all evening.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2015/Apr/14/images/ads/current/gives_you_more_bch_040314.png)
Sydney Koehler, a Movie Star Ancestor, and Molly Williams, a
Medieval Lady Ancestor, rounded out the senior supporting cast
members.
Moving on to a stellar class of juniors, these kids have a bright
future ahead. First off, Max Coppinger played the lead role of Gomez
and this young man was sensational. Simply put, he nailed it. His
voice, his demeanor, his accent and his body language all made for
an impeccable Gomez.
Junior Elizabeth Siebert also made for a marvelous Morticia, a role
she shared as well with Elizabeth Allen.
Another junior in the production was Miranda Hilliard as Alice
Beineke. Where has this girl been? She was outstanding on stage and
another example of how Koehler perfectly cast each and every student
in this production.
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![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2015/Apr/14/images/ads/current/graue_preowned_033015.png) The final junior in the performance was Lizzie
Ford, who danced away all evening as a Flight Attendant
Ancestor.
Other notable roles included that of Grandma, shared hilariously
by sophomores Eli Olson and T.J. Benhart.
The role of Lurch was also portrayed by a sophomore, Josh Dyer.
This kid managed to never crack a smile all evening and simply
lurk about the stage in that ever famous creepy Addams way.
Speaking of creepy, one cannot fail to mention Cousin Itt.
Freshman Shay Inselmann flawlessly portrayed Cousin Itt.
Many other sophomores and freshmen rounded out the production in
various roles. It's pretty easy to say based on the crowd's
reaction and the word of mouth around town, that The Addams
Family Musical was a huge hit. From the opening number "When
You're an Addams" to Uncle Fester's famous line at the end, "To
the moon, Alice" this entire cast entertained a captivated
audience of all ages.
Indeed these very talented young people of Mount Pulaski High
School took the stage for four performances and most certainly
left not only a legacy but also many lasting memories of a
fantastic run of shows.
[Teena Lowery]
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