#BehindtheCurtain: Get to Know AJ Gange

The torture of waiting for opening weekend of The Addams Family is finally over, much to the chagrin of Pugsley Addams! As we get ready for our first performance tomorrow, it is a joy to introduce SDMT’s favorite mischievous miscreant! Playing the role of young Pugsley is the incredibly talented AJ Gange, who is making his SDMT debut. As the youngest member of the Addams clan, AJ continues to inspire us with his professionalism and poise alongside his adult co-stars. His Pugsley is a beautiful mix of childish deviance and tender emotion, which is sure to bring a tear or two to audience members! He isn’t just a skilled performer though. Off the stage, AJ is a talented musician, playing several instruments, a committed boy scout, avid chess player, and jiu jitsu student. We’re so thrilled to have AJ as part of the SDMT Family, and we can’t wait to see where life takes him, both in performing and beyond. This week, we sat down with him to ask him some of our burning questions, so keep reading below to hear his answers. Then after you finish, make sure to get your tickets for The Addams Family, running until October 29th, because his performance is certainly not one to miss!

 

What inspired you to get into musical theatre?

I saw my first musical theatre show when I was eight. My school went on a field trip to see Beauty and the Beast at a local youth theater, and from then on I knew that I wanted to perform in a show. I auditioned and was cast in a role in the company’s next show, The Lion King, and I have been doing musical theatre ever since!

Does The Addams Family have any special meaning to you? If you could tell the audience anything about this show, what would it be?

The Addams Family is my first show at SDMT and my first show with a professional cast, a milestone that I will always be proud of. If I could tell the audience anything, I would tell them about how Wednesday’s crossbow in the show is actually fully operational (don’t worry- the arrows are rubber so no one gets hurt!).

Who is your Broadway idol?

My Broadway idol is Lin-Manuel Miranda, because of his ability to take his talent, refine it, and work hard to show it to the world!

As one of the youngest members of our cast, how has it been working on this production so far?

It has been a ton of fun! All of the adults were extremely welcoming and nice, and it is a blast to be working with them. I never felt out-of-place, even if they are a lot older than me.

What is your favorite scene or number in The Addams Family?

My favorite number in The Addams Family is “Crazier than You” which is sung by Lucas, Wednesday, Mal, and Alice. I love how each harmony fits into place, like pieces of a puzzle, and I was wowed by these amazing performers.

This show centers around a wild and wonderful family and all their crazy antics. Do you have any funny or wild family stories you’d like to share… full disclosure!

I was playing wiffleball with my dad when I was four years old, with my mom watching. My dad pitched the ball to me and I swung the bat, and I connected…driving the ball right into a very sensitive part of my dad’s anatomy! Not realizing what I had done, I joyfully ran around the bases with my mom laughing in the background… Full Disclosure!

What is a dream role or dream show to be in for you?

One cool role I’d like to be is one of the leads in 13 The Musical, or Evan Hansen in Dear Evan Hansen.

The Addams clan is a rather spooky bunch, and this show will be happening right
before Halloween. What’s your favorite spooky Halloween memory?

I was trick-or-treating once when I was very young. I walked towards the porch of a house and I was surprised by an Annabelle doll standing there with a human head lying on the ground. I did not get much sleep that night!

If you could invite one member of the Addams family to meet your own family, who would you want to bring for dinner?

I would bring Uncle Fester. He is a very strange, yet cheerful member of the Addams family, whom I would love to have over for dinner. I love his spirit!

 

 

The Addams Family Creative Team:
Director: Carlos Mendoza
Choreographer: Aaron Pomeroy
Music Director: Richard Dueñez Morrison

CLICK HERE to buy tickets!