Stage Magic: Dark Comedy, Family Ties & the Spotlight

In a world where most families gather around the dinner table to discuss school, sports, or weekend plans, the Arthurs family of Santa Barbara takes a different stage – literally. At the heart of their world is Stage Left Productions, a thriving local theater company they founded 25 years ago to share their passion for storytelling, music, and community performance. And this summer, they’re tackling a show that feels – uncannily – like art imitating life: The Addams Family musical.

“I will admit we are altogether kooky!” says Director Shana Lynch Arthurs. Of course, this is said during our frenetic interview while she is trying to unlock backstage doors, move set pieces, and load up countless costumes and props: “It is always a mad rush this last week… but somehow it all comes together,” she says with a grin.

On the surface, it’s easy to laugh at the absurdities of the Addams clan: a gothic, ghostly family of outcasts whose idea of fun includes torturing each other and dining with the dead. But under the spooky lighting and macabre humor lies a narrative all too familiar to the Arthurs family: love, legacy, loyalty, and the beautiful chaos of keeping a family together – especially when everyone is going in different directions.

A Theater Family, Center Stage

For the Arthurs family – led by director and co-founder Shana & producer, Dave Arthurs – Stage Left Productions is more than a creative outlet. It’s a lifestyle. For 25 years they have been putting on performances every summer in Santa Barbara, along with their co-founder and beloved choreographic director, Steven Lovelace. Their children, Cosi (20) and Beckett (17) are talented performers in their own rights and are helping to lead the nearly 80 campers and junior counselors to put on this production. For example, on the day of our interview, Cosi was unloading snacks from the back of her car, while brother Beckett was signing in campers and directing them where to go for rehearsal that day. Trying to get everyone in the same place at the same time is nearly impossible. 

Cosi shares, “With two casts of nearly 30 performers in each… there are a lot of moving parts! We might have one group learning choreography for the opening number, while another is practicing songs or running lines. Then we also have campers who are learning the technical side of theater and are working on costumes, lights, sets, and props.”

Over the years, Stage Left Productions has become a cultural mainstay for many young performers in Santa Barbara. For four intense weeks, campers come together for auditions, and then learn songs, dances and dialogue. Along the way, they play theater games, work on improvisation, and practice their craft – which culminates in this weekend’s performances, shared by two casts. Other shows over the decades have included The Little Mermaid, Shrek, Footloose, The Music Man, and The Wizard of Oz.

“It’s not just about putting on a good show,” says Shana, “It’s about building something together. Many of the kids and counselors have been with us for the past five to 10 years. We have so many sweet traditions like our ice cream social at the beginning of camp and a beach party at the end. These are events that our campers and their families love to be part of and so it does feel like a close-knit community… once you join you are part of the Stage Left Family!”

When the Arthurs family chose The Addams Family for this season, it felt like a no-brainer. “The songs in this show are dynamic,” Shana shares: “Plus, many of our counselors, including my own kids, were in The Addams Family that was done by Director Shannon Saleh at San Marcos High School three years ago. So you could say we have a lot of experience with the show!” They also try to mix things up. “We try to pick shows that will appeal to our campers (ages 10-17 years old), and also that have songs and dances that will showcase the incredible talent we have in our community,” explains Shana. “Also, The Addams Family just did a national tour, so lots of our campers were familiar with the music. It’s great when we can do a show that everyone is really excited about and can rally behind!”

When the Addams Meet the Arthurs

It is fun to look at the Arthurs and see if there are any parallels between them and the fictitious Addams crew. At the head of the Addams family is Gomez Addams, a devoted father torn between the traditions of his eccentric family and the desires of his daughter, Wednesday, who has fallen in love with a “normal” boy. “These characters live large, love hard, and are completely unafraid to be who they are,” says Dave Arthurs, who is the behind-the-scenes guru for the production. He might not be into death like Gomez Addams… but you see his devotion to his family as he handles all the behind-the-scenes business matters that go into a show… at the same time coming to the theater with a blender to whip up milkshakes for all the volunteers who come on the weekends to help with final production needs. 

Or Morticia, the fiercely elegant matriarch trying to hold everything together as her family teeters on the edge of change. Enter Shana: who, as the director, is practically living at the theater every day trying to manage campers, counselors, and all the details that go into putting on a major musical. 

Indeed, in many ways, the Arthurs see themselves in the Addams. While Cosi (who is a rising Junior at Texas State University and Beckett is a rising Senior at San Marcos) aren’t exactly Wednesday and Pugsley with their blonde hair and blue eyes… they certainly work alongside their parents and help get a new generation excited about musical theater. “We really do enjoy being together,” says Beckett, “Most families like to go to the beach and be in the sun during July – but I guess we are like the Addams family since we prefer to be inside a cold dark theater!”

And of course, we can’t forget Uncle Fester. Shana shares, “We have our own Uncle Fester in Steven! He has been part of all this from the start and many of our campers grew up taking classes with him at Peabody Charter school. He is so loved by everyone!”

Yes, just like the Addams family, the Arthurs are happiest when they’re on stage – sharing their quirks, traditions, and love with an audience. “We’re loud, theatrical, and probably a little spooky during tech week,” jokes Cosi, “But at the end of the day, my family has been running Stage Left since before Beckett and I were born, so it’s awesome to be part of a longstanding history in our community.”

The Magic of Stage Left

What makes Stage Left Productions special isn’t just the high-caliber performances (though they have plenty). It’s the palpable sense of community, of tradition being handed down like a treasured script, of children growing up in the glow of stage lights, learning to project their voices and their values.

Through The Addams Family musical, the Arthurs are reminding Santa Barbara that family – whether blood or chosen, strait-laced or strange – is worth celebrating. And that theater, with all its drama and delight, is one of the most powerful mirrors we have.

“We all want to be accepted for who we are,” says Shana. “And if a spooky, wacky family like the Addams can find love and understanding – so can we.”

The Addams Family, presented by Stage Left Productions, is this weekend only: Saturday and Sunday, July 26-27. Both days the shows are at 2 pm and 7 pm at San Marcos High School. Tickets can be purchased at the door with cash or Venmo. Free parking at San Marcos High School. 

For more information visit www.stageleftsb.com