Chicagoians...who is seeing the first preview of ADDAMS FAMILY tonight??- Page 4

[Toowylde]

Posted: 11/14/09 at 7:20pm

I too am surprised that the previous post-er didn't recall the great use of the theme, with snapping (and audience clap-along) in the middle of the first act.

I am also, however, surprised that "WhoCanITurnTo" didn't notice the use of the theme at the very beginning of the overture - it's the first melodic element before it moves into the tango melody.

[KirbyCat]

Posted: 11/14/09 at 8:05pm

Question about the overture- Was it a classic style of an overture that has currently gone out of style, or was is the usual 30 second overture that has been used by many shows lately?
Another question-what did the curtain look like?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/14/09 at 8:15pm

The curtain questions was already addressed. I believe someone said it was just a standard red house curtain

[KirbyCat]

Posted: 11/14/09 at 8:18pm

Oh, I apologize, I did not realize that! Thank you!

[AndAllThatJazz22]

Posted: 11/14/09 at 8:51pm

So Bebe does get to showcase some of her dancing? Suh-weet!

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 11/14/09 at 9:04pm

So looking forward to seeing this over a very packed theatre week in August 2010.

[jessica0414]

Posted: 11/14/09 at 9:57pm

ahh! I absolutely cannot wait to see this, we're going on December 13th and I am stoked! Thanks for all your reviews, everyone!

[emo_geek]

Posted: 11/14/09 at 10:32pm

I am so sad the did not out of town in LA

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 11/15/09 at 12:10am

Does anyone know for sure about student tickets yet?? I already have tickets for opening night but now I can't wait! I might try to see it tomorrow!!!

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 11/15/09 at 12:19am

"I too am surprised that the previous post-er didn't recall the great use of the theme, with snapping (and audience clap-along) in the middle of the first act."

I was sitting in the partial view box seats, so I could not see that moment in the middle of the first act. I could just see the door falling. I guess that's why it wasn't memorable for me.

Student tickets (what I got) are available when the box office opens for $25. They're in the box seats. From my seat, I could only see middle stage to downstage. I missed the stuff that happened upstage. I'm going again on 12/12 (with full view tickets) so I was ok with it.

[bwayguy22089]

Posted: 11/15/09 at 12:44am

I too am curious about the Overture.

[KirbyCat]

Posted: 11/15/09 at 1:06am

Oh I'm so glad to hear it was an old school overture! I've been dying for some show to finally break this terrible trend of 30 second overtures!

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 11/15/09 at 1:30am

I really liked Pirate Queen's original long overture, but they ended up cutting it...and all the other things I truly loved....though I guess I was the only one who loved them... wahhh wahhh.

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 11/15/09 at 3:21pm

found this cool picture of rehearsals:
http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/.a/6a00d8341c58f853ef0120a6a25488970b-pi

[KirbyCat]

Posted: 11/15/09 at 5:20pm

Wow! Is Nathan's mustache really real?

[Dolly_Levi]

Posted: 11/15/09 at 5:24pm

Great reh pic.
Thanks for sharing, jai.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 11/15/09 at 5:27pm

I have my tickets for March and must admit that I'm looking forward to this than any new musical this season. Hope they'll beef up Grandmamma's part for Jackie!

That being said, however, if this is the amount of comment and response that this show has engendered on the basis of the first out-of-town preview, I HOPE and PRAY that by the time it gets to NYC, it won't be anti-climactic.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/15/09 at 5:28pm

The last time I was in the theater was for a theater group I was with. It was still a catering facility for the hotel next door & it had horrible things hanging from the ceiling.

It was called the Hotel Bismark way back than.

[Queen of the Night]

Posted: 11/15/09 at 5:55pm

"Wait, wait, wait... I'm pretty sure I'm just having a weird dream now and this isn't really happening, but did you really just say that Terrence Mann sings a song about being raped by a giant squid? MY JAW IS ACTUALLY TOUCHING THE FLOOR."

Actually, I wouldn't say his character gets raped...more like a one night stand (that he doesn't really get the option of saying no to, but he's drunk enough at that point not to quibble) and it leaves him being more sympathetic to his wife in the end. Plus it gives him the opportunity to actually really SING, and OMG does he ever! I was soooooo pleased to hear him let loose with that gorgeous baritone of his. prior to the big solo he really doesn't sing that much at all.

My husband and I drove from Ohio this weekend to see the show and we saw the 2nd preview last night. It was hilarious! So worth the money and the drive! I wouldn't mind going to NY in the spring to see it again after it opens on Bway. I will agree with the poster who said that Terrence Mann's character's confession to a hurtful intention at the end does seem a little underdeveloped, and this is primariy due to the fact that when it is brought up earlier in the show it comes out in a section where too much other dialogue is going on and it is not done very cohesively so that it is a bit lost on the audience. I think maybe they need to isolate him onstage for that moment to make it clear what he is talking about and what he is doing.

The casting is perfect. Bebe's dancing is wonderful and it is so tailored to her character (not to mention her dress), it's exactly the way you would imagine Morticia would dance. Nathan Lane never does anything badly and he throws himself entirely in the role of Gomez, down to growing a real mustache for the shows (they said that this morning on the local radio in Chicago) and the Spanish grandee accent. He's hysterical, moves well and can be very touching and sympathetic at times like the song "Happy/Sad"--the "Daddy's little girl is growing up moment" with Wednesday. Carolee Carmello steals the show slowly, starting out a bit goofy as the mousy wife who talks like a Hallmark card and slowly turning into the unhappy affection-starved woman, a perfect parallel to Morticia who worries that she is getting old and passe'.

The kids are a decent bunch, each playing the appropriate part in the story, although Lucas does seem to be a bit of a cipher--kind of the bland romantic character (not the actor's fault at all, he's very good in the role--it's just that the show is chock full of extremely big "characters" and he pales in comparison to some of them). The Lucas and Wednesday number is great with an interesting twist, and Krysta Rodriguez shows some serious pipes in her opening number, "Pulled". (I found that song kind of reminded me of "Loathing" from Wicked)

Cousin Itt and Thing make brief cameos and a homage to the TV shows' opening and theme song is cleverly worked in. Jackie Hoffman's part really isn't big enough to truly let her shine, but she does get to bring down the house with the best one-liner in the show (at the performance I was at, the show actually stopped for almost two minutes at that joke beacuse people were still laughing). Kevin Chamberlin is so perfect as Uncle Fester--not only does he look the part, but he even has the quirky voice to match! His song about being in love (I won't spoil the joke by saying who with, but I will say it's the last thing you'd imagine) is a hoot!

All in all, this has serious Tony contender written all over it. The finale dragged a bit and the first act was a little long (an hour and a half), but I suspect some nips and tucks will take care of that. Although I hope they don't cut any of the songs. I don't think that there was an ineffective song in the score. So it was definitely worth seeing! Looking forward to it making a big splash on Broadway!

Updated On: 11/15/09 at 05:55 PM

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 11/15/09 at 7:29pm

Went to todays matinee! got student rush, missed some stuff because of sightlines but definitely the way to go if you're a student and short on cash.

Don't feel like going into detail at the moment, but loved the show. Had fun, and can't thing of much, if anything I would cut. Strong book, score, performances, choreography, costumes. Great way to start previews!!

[ACL2006]

Posted: 11/15/09 at 9:44pm

I was hoping Jessica Lea Patty would u/s Morticia.

[wsmillett]

Posted: 11/16/09 at 6:08pm

This sounds wonderful, I can't wait to see it.

How family friendly is it? I have some younger siblings who want to go, but the "squid" song makes it sound questionable for them.

What do you think?

[delucad15]

Posted: 11/16/09 at 8:57pm

question about the love between wednesday and lucas. Is it passionate or the complete opposite? and could someone explain lucas's character, does he have any good songs or anything?

[blaxx]

Posted: 11/16/09 at 9:00pm

This Jessica Lea Patty must have great genes to be the understudy for performers of such different ages!

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 11/17/09 at 1:48am

wsmillet: I would worry less about the squid song unless the kids pick up on innuendo, though I think they would understand what it's about, but they use foul language quite a few times. Especially Jackie Hoffman. Overrall the show has quite a few sexual moments and bad language moments. I'd rate it at least PG-13.

Possible Spoiler (answer to dulacad's question): Wesley Taylor's character (Lucas) is in love with Wednesday and vice versa. They have two duets. It's the real deal, not a one way crush or puppy love. Very cool part of the show in my opinion.

blaxx: I thought the same thing! How does one get that lucky!?