THE ADDAMS FAMILY: Who's Directing this Thing?
THE ADDAMS FAMILY: Who's Directing this Thing?
PiraguaGuy2
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/10/08
#1THE ADDAMS FAMILY: Who's Directing this Thing?
Posted: 2/7/10 at 3:23pm
With Crouch and McDermott screwing the pooch on the Chicago production, Jerry Zaks was called in to help out, completely relinquishing his directorial duties on the Feinstein/Edna production. I think it was assumed that they would remain as the primary directors with Zaks as an uncredited "show doctor".
But with the musical now set to fly to New York in a matter of weeks, we haven't heard anything. Even the ABC listing in the Times today didn't credit a director. Are Crouch and McDermott still on the show with Zaks as an uncredited "show doctor", or is Zaks helming the whole production now?
Formerly SirNotAppearing - Joined 3/08
#2THE ADDAMS FAMILY: Who's Directing this Thing?
Posted: 2/7/10 at 4:02pmPosting because I'm incredibly curious about this. Unfortunately, I have no answers.
#2THE ADDAMS FAMILY: Who's Directing this Thing?
Posted: 2/7/10 at 4:08pmI'm sure once things get more finalized on their end, and when their PR people have an approved plan, that press announcements will be made.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
#3THE ADDAMS FAMILY: Who's Directing this Thing?
Posted: 2/7/10 at 4:11pm
As of December
"Director-designers Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch (Shockheaded Peter) are still with the production, according to the Times, with Zaks taking a creative consultant credit. Producer Stuart Oken told the publication that Zaks will be at the helm of the musical with Broadway newcomers McDermott and Crouch providing input."
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/135550-Producers-Hire-Jerry-Zaks-to-Oversee-Changes-to-Addams-Family-Musical
#4THE ADDAMS FAMILY: Who's Directing this Thing?
Posted: 2/7/10 at 4:15pm
As it left Chicago, Crouch and McDermott still held the title of directors, and Zaks was brought in as creative consultant. However, producers have basically said that Zaks is in charge of the significant changes expected, with Crouch and McDemott "having meaningful input."
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=980DEFDE1E39F93AA15751C1A96F9C8B63&scp=1&sq=addams+family&st=nyt
#5THE ADDAMS FAMILY: Who's Directing this Thing?
Posted: 2/7/10 at 4:31pm
"Meaningful"...
That's a euphemism for "Will someone please get those two idiots out of my rehearsal?"
#6THE ADDAMS FAMILY: Who's Directing this Thing?
Posted: 2/7/10 at 4:42pmWhether credited or not, I'd say it's a pretty safe bet that Jerry Zaks is calling the shots at this point.
#7THE ADDAMS FAMILY: Who's Directing this Thing?
Posted: 2/7/10 at 6:07pm
I wouldn't expect to see any more announcements about this because why draw any more attention to it. As LJay and RaggBallad posted above, they've said all they need/want to say. Now the show will simply need to speak for itself -- exactly how much each person contributed to the finished product we may never know for certain.
One note, though: PiraguaGuy mentions the ABC listings in The New York Times. I went to look and other than Nathan and Bebe (who are above title), no one is credited -- no authors, no director, no choreographer -- so I don't read anything in particular into that except they were saving money on a cheaper ABC listing.
"No matter how much you want the part, never let 'em see you sweat." -- Old Dry Idea commercial
massofmen
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/10/04
#8THE ADDAMS FAMILY: Who's Directing this Thing?
Posted: 2/7/10 at 10:33pmbiggest bust this season? I have a feeling...
Dollypop
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#9THE ADDAMS FAMILY: Who's Directing this Thing?
Posted: 2/7/10 at 10:38pm
I read somewhere that Nathan Lane has been taking the reins lately.
Don't know what's going on.
"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)
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