Marisa Andoni-Savas is eager to hit the stage next week and present her version of Morticia Addams in the Pioneer Theatre Guild’s presentation of ‘The Addams Family – School Edition’ on Nov. 9-12 at Pioneer High School. And those familiar with the old TV show are very familiar with Morticia – or are they?
“She is an intriguing and confident, but mysterious woman,” says Andoni-Savas of the family’s reserved matriarch and wife of Gomez Addams. “It has been so much fun unpacking and embodying her character.”
The Addams Family franchise was created by American Charles Addams in 1933 and the TV show lasted only two seasons (1964-66) but attracted a cult following. Carolyn Jones (TV show), Anjelica Huston and Catherine Zeta-Jones have all played the role of Morticia.
The 2010 musical reimagination of The Addams Family brings familiar characters to life in a new light and features a cast of 40 dedicated AAPS students.
Andoni-Savas doesn’t want to “give it all away,” but says there’s “a little something for everyone” in their production. “Audiences can expect to be genuinely entertained with big dance numbers, intrigue, humor, and plot twists all wrapped into one spooky, cooky performance — true to the Addams Family,” she says.
A senior, Andoni-Savas has loved putting the play together with an “amazing” cast, crew and production team.
“It’s the community and the relationships that really draw me towards musical theater,” she says. “I’m so lucky to have a theater group that is truly a big family.”
Speaking of family, Marisa is the daughter of Alexia Andoni and Sue Ann Savas, and has been busy during her four years of high school. She is a member of the Service Club, Ecology Club, National Honor Society, Co-Marketing Manager for Pioneer Theatre Guild, Staff Manager and journalist for The Communicator (Community High School’s online and print magazine). So, yeah, she has a pretty busy schedule.
She started her theatre career at a very young age.
“My first show was when I was 5 years old in a production of ‘Oliver!’ and I was finally old enough to join my older brother in a show,” she says. “I have since performed in over 15 musicals and loved every moment.” More recently, she was Virginia in “Oklahoma!,” Jack’s Mother in “Into The Woods,” and the Leading Player in “Pippin.”
Andoni-Savas says she plans on studying musical theatre after high school.
But for now, she’s still “unpacking and embodying” Morticia.
“Morticia is the hand that is puppeteering the family,” she says. “Traditionally, men are the head of a family, but I love that Morticia is secretly the neck that turns the head in their household. The challenging, yet completely enjoyable, part about Morticia is that she never uses her arms, everything happens in her voice, eyes, and hips. I’ve had a grand time figuring out Morticia and her mysterious nature.”
Pioneer Theatre Guild presents ‘The Adams Family – School Edition’ Nov. 9-12
