In 1950, a young man named Charles Seller was struck by a train, losing one of his legs. His family and friends came together to put on a variety show named Talent Time to aid in his medical costs. This started a tradition in Bloomfield, NJ, that has lasted for more than 70 years. Each summer our members, who are in their mid teens to early thirties, produce and perform a musical in which all profits go towards someone in the area with high medical bills. This year The Charles Seller Foundation’s Talent Time Players present The Addams Family to benefit Gigi Marrero of Bloomfield.

This year's beneficiary is 5 year old Genesis “Gigi” Marrero of Bloomfield. Gigi was born with a rare brain condition called Holoprosencephaly. Her condition manifests in a way similar to cerebral palsy, affecting her ability to talk and walk. Her entire life has been filled with doctor’s appointments, research studies, therapy, and IFSP/IEP meetings. Gigi’s mother, Lisa, describes her as her “miracle baby”. Despite her struggles that come with having Holoprosencephaly, Gigi preserves in every challenge that is presented to her. Known to be an incredibly happy, silly girl, she loves going to school and learning every day.

The Addams Family, a comical feast, with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, that embraces the wackiness in every family, features an original story and it’s every father’s nightmare: 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.

The Charles Seller Foundation and Talent Time production of The Addams Family is produced by Elle Rose Fraser and directed by Andy Scott, with musical direction by Lisa MacVicar. The Addams Family will be performed at the Bloomfield High School Auditorium, located at 160 Broad Street in Bloomfield, with performances on August 5th, 6th, 7th*, 13th and 14th*. (*denotes a 2pm and 8pm performance.) All performances will follow updated COVID-19 Guidelines.

Tickets are available online for $12.00 General Admission. Tickets will also be available for $15.00 General Admission or $12.00 for students and seniors at the door. Advanced online ticket purchase is strongly recommended.

*This performance includes water based particle effects and flashing lights that may not be suitable for all audiences, especially photo-sensitive viewers.*

Community members who wish to donate will find information on the foundation’s website, http://thecharlessellerfoundation.com/

For more information contact the Charles Seller Foundation at:

Website: http://thecharlessellerfoundation.com/

Email: thecharlessellerfoundation@gmail.com

Facebook: The Charles Seller Foundation

Instagram: @thecharlessellerfoundation

Twitter: @CSFTweets