Review of "The Addams Family" 11/28 (May Contain Spoilers! Proceed With Ca

I am currently in Chicago for the Thanksgiving holiday and was able to get tickets. I thought I would share what I thought of the show. Please note that
First off, I should start off by saying that this is the first show I can remember seeing without any prior knowledge of the plot or music. It was interesting experiencing it for the first time in the theater. AT intermission, I couldn't wait to see what happened next!
The first thing I would like to say is that the cast was great! They all fit into their characters and performed well. While all performed wonderfully, two stood out with me. I saw a standby for Gomez, Merwin Foard, who was excellent. He portrayed the character, who could easily have been overdone, with the perfect mix of comedy and seriousness. His character can go from comedic, high energy songs to more serious, somber songs with believability. The next is Kevin Chamberlin as Uncle Fester. He had a excellent performance. He WAS the silly, quirky Uncle Fester and, more-so then the other characters, was the spitting image of Uncle Fester from previous portrayals. The narration role his character played throughout the show was a great part of the show and helped to draw you in. I think without his narration, the show would be lacking something I couldn't quite describe.
The story itself, while a typical one (boy and girl from two different families who struggle to get along) was very creative and portrayed in a way that made it fresh and original. The music was great and catchy. Lots of different songs. Fast paced and catchy, comedic, romantic. The show doesn't have just one type. One thing that surprised me was that they didn't use the theme song, which would have been a easy way to appeal to the show's popularity and draw you into their world. They do use snatches and variations of it without the lyrics at points.
One last thing I wanted to mention was the pre-show announcement. They have the typical amusement park ride-like announcement, but it is followed by the sound of phones ringing and camera shutters clicking, and then you hear Lurch's groan.
All said, on a more personal note, it was a great,silly show and I would recommend it. I had a great time. I even got an autograph from Jackie Hoffman! I have never stage-doored before and just want to commend her for being so patient and generous with me while I was kind of stupid and star-struck.
Well, that is it for this review. It's my first here, so any feedback would be welcome. Also, if you have any questions about the show, I would be more then happy to answer them!

Updated On: 11/28/09 at 11:10 PM

Updated On: 5/2/12 at 12:54 AM

What about the pictures that showed Bebe rehearsing what looked like a tap number? Sad if it was cut

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Ah, okay. Thanks

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Maybe he was home for Thanksgiving....

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I was also in a box! The front row of the stage left box :)

I think that they could easily cut two of the "Let's Not Talk About Anything Else But Love" reprises. And the closing to the first act was pretty mild. At least Uncle Fester announces that it's not way to end a first act, but I wanted a bigger number than Full Disclosure.

I guess the Tango/Sword fight was added because it was a common theme in the cartoon and maybe it was because I had the standby for Gomez but I don't see how that number could earn a standing ovation even with Lane. In my opinion, that whole song should be cut unless they want to make it higher energy. I was bored by how lackluster the second act was.

From the start I didn't understand why it was about Wednesday but it held my attention throughout the entire first act. Then when the second act started I feel like only 1/3 of the whole thing was about her and the rest went off on strange tangents that I felt were just fillers.

I could see that. And there's not really an eleven o'clock number. You don't walk out humming any of the score except for all of the reprises that get shoved down your throat "Let's Not Talk About Anything Else But Love", I felt like I was at an Andrew Lloyd Weber show with that repetition.

Not sure about videos, but I know they had posters and t-shirts. Sorry, I didn't look hard enough

Updated On: 5/2/12 at 03:21 PM

For merch, they had a poster for $15, shirts with Wednesday, Uncle Fester, Morticia, the family portrait, and one that has some words on it for $25-30. They also had magnet sets, mugs, a deck of cards with the a character in the middle instead of clubs or hearts, and umbrella, a sweater, notepad, and Charles Addams prints for $90.

I can't wait for the CD and some clips from the show..(btw I was last row stage right box!) I agree that "Happy/Sad" might work better towards the end of the show as opposed to the beginning of Act II. And Jackie Hoffman needs to be onstage more. (Her line about texting and her full disclosure were hilarious!)

Yes- Gomez's song with Wednesday would be better moved toward the ending- it was beautiful.

And speaking of Beautiful- That SET! The tree, the moon, the New York Skyline. That was one of the most beautiful stage pictures I've ever seen.

There are tentacles on stage. I think they'll stay there :)

When I saw the show Bebe lifted her skirt during the tango/sword fight, broadway112. Is that what you mean? I just felt the scene was lazy and poorly choreographed. Then again, I didn't see Nathan Lane and Merwyn may not have had practiced the dance.

and maybe spoiler, but they really come out, all over the stage. But they don't come into the audience like in Little Shop or anything.

And I felt the same way about the swordfight as THDavis...it felt lazy. I watched Bebe's face for a good chunk of the scene since the actual fighting wasn't really interesting, and she looked bored fighting.