The Iberia Performing Arts League will be debuting a new production featuring familiar characters in a new story with “The Addams Family Musical.”

The show opens this Friday and comes from a musical comedy that premiered on Broadway in 2010 starring Nathan Lane as Gomez and Bebe Neuwirth as Morticia. The show features Wednesday Addams falling in love and has her normal boyfriend’s family attend dinner with the eccentric Addams clan.

“People love these characters but it’s an original story,” director of the show Mitch Prudhomme said.

One of the highlights of the IPAL production has been the sheer amount of people involved with the project. About 62 people auditioned for the musical, which was one of the largest auditions IPAL has ever received, Prudhomme said.

“We have a cast of 38, which is pretty good for a non-kids show,” he added.

The cast includes Nick Best, who previously performed in the IPAL production of “Catch Me If You Can” in a serious role. Prudhomme said Gomez was a perfect fit for Best’s personality.

“It’s really a 180 from his role in ‘Catch Me If You Can,’” Prudhomme said. “He’s just a big goofball, so it’s like this role was written for him.”

Timmie Melancon, an IPAL board member who is playing the role of Grandma Addams, said the talent for this production has been amazing.

“There’s some new faces on the stage, I think that’s important to the old theater people to see the talent grow and spread out so you don’t have the same people,” Melancon said.

Melancon added the play has been very fun to take part in, and her character has become a personal favorite.

“She’s quirky, she’s naughty, she gets to say some potty words,” Melancon said. “My grandkids are coming so I have to make sure it’s family friendly.”

“The Addams Family Musical” premieres Aug. 30 and will run until Sept. 8. To purchase tickets or get more information, go to www.ipaltheater.com.