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Valley Youth Theatre presents a scary good October with 2 fall premiers

Based on the popular book series by Joe Troiano, Spookley the Square Pumpkin: The Musical follows a square pumpkin trying to fit into a round-pumpkin world. (File Photos/DigitalFreePress)
Valley Youth Theatre offers Addams Family and Spookley the Square Pumpkin
Staff Reports | Digital Free Press

Valley Youth Theatre has something for every ghoul and little pumpkin this October as it celebrates spooky season with two different musicals: The Addams Family and Spookley the Square Pumpkin: The Musical.

Wednesday, Morticia, Gomez, Pugsley and the entire mysterious, spooky and all together ookey clan come to life on stage in The Addams Family musical opening Friday, Oct. 13, and running through Oct. 29 at the Herberger Theater Center’s Stage West on Monroe and 3rd Street in downtown Phoenix.

Based on the characters created by Charles Addams, The Addams Family follows our favorite frightening family during a night when secrets are disclosed, relationships are tested, and the family must face up to the one horrible thing they’ve managed to avoid for generations: change.

With a cast of young people under 20, Director Mark Stoddard is excited for audiences to see the overwhelming amount of talent the cast brings to the Broadway show.

Looking for tickets? Go HERE.

“These talented young people tackle some broad characters, challenging music, and difficult choreography,” Mr. Stoddard said in a prepared statement. “Audiences will see the pure passion this cast has for performing.”

Norine Lindeman, a 17-year-old student from Litchfield Park plays one of the Addams ancestors. “From the first black-and-white TV show to Wednesday on Netflix, I always wished I was a part of their family — and now I am,” said Norine.

Valley Youth Theatre presents The Addams Family and Spookley the Square Pumpkin

Plus, back by popular demand, Spookley the Square Pumpkin opens on Oct. 6 and runs through Oct. 29 at Valley Youth Theatre on First Street and Fillmore in downtown Phoenix.

Based on the popular book series by Joe Troiano, Spookley the Square Pumpkin: The Musical follows a square pumpkin trying to fit into a round-pumpkin world – trying to show everyone on Holiday Hill farm that anyone can be ‘pick of the patch.’

According to VYT’s Executive Producer, Bobb Cooper, Spookley is the perfect theatre performance for younger children who may not be able to sit through a Broadway show.

“We wanted to bring Spookley back because it is such a joy to see children experiencing their first theatre performance. It’s colorful, bright, and has a wonderful message about acceptance,” he said. “It’s perfect for the whole family!”

Mr. Cooper went on to explain that the cast of Spookley has had to learn an additional performance skill – puppetry!
“The puppets add a magical twist to the performance. It’s such a fun addition to the story that our audience will love!” he said.

Along with its public shows, Valley Youth Theatre will host both in person and virtual school field trips, as well as VYT’s Literacy and The Arts program, the award-winning program that gives students from Title 1 schools a page-to-stage experience by combining in-school learning with the experience of live theatre. Books related to the production and accompanying study guides are provided to the children free-of-charge prior to seeing the show.

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