The moment you walk into the auditorium, you can feel it — that mix of excitement, nerves and “this is our big weekend” energy that only a high school production can deliver.

The lights dim, the curtain rises and suddenly you’re dropped straight into the wonderfully weird world of “The Addams Family.”

Wednesday is in love, Gomez is panicking, Morticia is suspicious and the whole Addams clan is preparing for a dinner that absolutely, positively will not go smoothly. And honestly? Watching it all unravel is half the fun.

What makes the show such a blast isn’t just the jokes or the costumes — though both land big. It’s the students. They throw themselves into these characters with a kind of fearless enthusiasm that makes the whole thing feel alive. You can see the work they’ve put in: the timing, the choreography, the confidence that grows with every scene. It’s messy in the charming way only high school theater can be, and that’s exactly why it works.

Submitted photo
Mifflin County High School seniors Aiden Tooley, left, and Luke Kintzel were cast in the roles of Lurch and Uncle Fester.

By the final bow, the crowd is cheering like they just watched a Broadway finale. It’s joyful, it’s goofy, it’s heartfelt — everything a school musical should be.

If you want something fun, local and full of spirit this weekend, “The Addams Family” is your ticket.

Show times are 6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.

Bingo benefits

• Benefit bingo in Burnham, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Burnham Lion’s Club, 403 First Ave., Burnham. Doors open at 11 a.m. and bingo starts at 1 p.m. Rip and Chinese auction tickets will be sold, and food and drinks will be available, The cost for a package is $35 in advance, $40 at the door.

Submitted photo
Sophomore Anna Miller was stone cold like Morticia in the Addams Family.

• Bingo Benefit 4 Latisha Marie, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Brookmere Winery Barn, 5369 Route 655, Belleville. Doors open at 11 a.m., with bingo games from noon to 4 p.m. $30 per ticket. 20 games and door prize entry. Yeti, Kate Spade, Stanley and more prizes. To purchase tickets visit Bingo Benefit for Latisha on Facebook. Also available for purchase: additional bingo books, raffle tickets, 50/50, rip tickets and food, beverages and wine and spirits.

• Benefit Bingo for Blake, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, East Waterford Fire Co., 9607 Route 75 South, East Waterford. Tickets cost $25. Doors and kitchen open at noon and bingo starts at 1 p.m. Help support 4-year-old Blake and his family during their time of need. On Jan. 26, Blake underwent surgery to remove tumors and the family is waiting for results of pathology. They have a long road ahead and with travel and time off work it’s tough so let’s help them by easing some of the financial burden.

Dinner fundraisers

• Soup and bake sale in Port Royal, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Turbett Grange, 12561 Route 333 East, Port Royal. Warm up your weekend with homemade soup and sweet treats. They have quarts of chicken corn soup and ham and bean soup, plus a variety of baked goods and goodies.

• Spaghetti dinner fundraiser in Middleburg, noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Walking Free Clubhouse, 8183 Route 522, Middleburg. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $5 for ages 5 to 12, and free for ages 4 and under. Proceeds support Walking Free Clubhouse. To purchase tickets, call (570) 975-5595.

• Soup, salad and baked goods dinner, noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, hosted by Juniata County Foster and Adopt Family Support Group at First Baptist Church, 23964 Route 35 North, Mifflintown. Soups include broccoli cheddar, chicken corn noodle, chili, creamy sausage and ham and bean; salad with lettuce, vegetable toppings, croutons, cheese and dressing; and baked goods with sourdough bread, wheat bread, corn muffins, dinner rolls and cookies, cakes and bars. Gluten free options will be available. Donations based pricing. Proceeds go directly for ongoing support of our local foster and adoptive families and children. For more information, call or text (717) 250-3401.

• Spaghetti dinner fundraiser in McAlisterville, 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, hosted by Juniata County Helping Hands, McAlisterville Community Building, 115 School St., McAlisterville. Menu includes spaghetti with meatballs, salad, applesauce, roll and dessert. Eat-in or takeout. Cost is by donation with proceeds benefiting Matt and Tammy Book Family and Abby Kreitzer Family as well as families affected by recent fires. This fundraiser is dedicated to supporting local families who are facing unexpected medical and tragic emergencies.

Winter art camp

Lost Creek Mennonite Church, 2682 Long Road, Mifflintown, is holding a winter art camp from

10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Six classes to choose from at $20 per class.

Open house at Dream Center Mifflin County

Dream Center Mifflin County will have an open house from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday at its facility at 204 First Ave., Burnham. Sign up for free classes in job skills, budgeting and computer skills.

Live entertainment

• Derek Heidel, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Hungry Run Wine Bar and Bistro, 10042 Route 522 South, Lewistown;

• Whiskey Sour Redemption, 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Seven Mountains Wine Cellars, 324 Decker Valley Road, Spring Mills;

• David Pulizzi, 2 to

5 p.m. Saturday, Shy Bear Brewing, 35 Meadowbrook Lane, Lewistown;

• Rapid Run, 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Hungry Run Distillery, 10 Ridens Road, Lewistown;

• Ryan Carter Band,

4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Shy Bear Brewing, 35 Meadowbrook Lane, Lewistown.

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Have an event coming up? Email the details to events@lewistownsentinel.com by 5 p.m. Tuesday the week of the event.