Durango High School Troupe 1096 actors in Cast Spooky rehearse a scene of their new play, “The Addams Family,” on Tuesday in the school’s auditorium. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)

Jerry McBride

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Durango High School Troupe 1096 actors in Cast Spooky rehearse a scene of their new play, “The Addams Family,” on Tuesday in the school’s auditorium. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)

Jerry McBride

The student thespians of Durango High School Troupe 1096 are getting ready to take the stage this Halloween season with their production of “The Addams Family.”

And, as with just about all of Troupe 1096’s shows, there’s a very good chance this one will sell out – tickets are on sale now, so waiting is not advised.

Durango High School Troupe 1096 actors from left, Mayla Mouret, 17, as Morticia, Katelyn Bowie, 16, as Wednesday, and Lucas Spaeder, 17, as Gomez, rehearse a scene of the new play “The Aadams Family” on Tuesday at DHS. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)

Jerry McBride

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Durango High School Troupe 1096 actors from left, Mayla Mouret, 17, as Morticia, Katelyn Bowie, 16, as Wednesday, and Lucas Spaeder, 17, as Gomez, rehearse a scene of the new play “The Aadams Family” on Tuesday at DHS. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)

Jerry McBride

“The Addams Family” is a comedy about the eccentric goth family we’ve all grown up with. This time, 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. And if that wasn’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.

Director Ben Mattson said “Addams Family” was selected as a way to showcase the talent in this year’s troupe and a way for families to get out and enjoy time at the theater.

“We wanted to find a show that was appropriate for family audiences. ‘Addams Family Musical’ is a wonderful production full of familiar but exciting characters for high schoolers to play and for audiences to enjoy,” he said. “At its heart, ‘Addams Family’ tells a story of trust, love and integrity. It’s a hilarious and kooky romp that is perfect for the Halloween season and suitable for families.”

For this production, which will run Oct. 29 to Nov. 13, there will be two casts – the Creepy and the Spooky. And getting the troupe back in the theater has given the student actors and crew a chance to stretch their creative muscles, Mattson said.

From left, Lilia Reynolds, 17, as Morticia, Samme Newcomer, 17, as Wednesday, and Julian Colby, 17, as Gomez, rehearse Tuesday at Durango High School. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)

Jerry McBride

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From left, Lilia Reynolds, 17, as Morticia, Samme Newcomer, 17, as Wednesday, and Julian Colby, 17, as Gomez, rehearse Tuesday at Durango High School. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)

Jerry McBride

“It has been awesome to get back in the swing of things, and this production has been so much fun to work on,” he said. “The show brings some fun technical challenges that the students have solved in wildly creative ways. We’ve been able to upgrade some of our tech, including our lights, so we’re very excited to incorporate some lighting effects.”

Tickets are $15 and seats can be selected online at troupe1096.weebly.com. Because we’re still feeling the effects of the pandemic, the troupe’s ticketing system will put two empty seats between each party, so audience members can order tickets in groups however big they want, and the system will ensure that groups are socially distanced. Audiences are also required to mask up for the show.

And for the troupe members, who saw their last two theater seasons interrupted because of COVID-19, getting back on stage has been a blast, Mattson said.

“The kids are absolutely loving having the program running again,” he said. “The troupe has always felt like a family, and coming out of the shutdown the bond has just increased exponentially. It’s been awesome creating art together again.”

katie@durangoherald.com

katie@durangoherald.com