'The Addams Family' can still be a Broadway hit  but it's no snap". - Chicago Tribune

Posted: 12/17/09 at 2:44pm

Very interesting blog posted by Chris from the Chicago Theatre Blog. He also mentions all the hits and flops of Chicago tryouts and mentions the new Cirq and how it's not selling!!
Chicago Theatre Blog

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/17/09 at 3:26pm

I must have seen Movin' Out late in the tryout run because when I revisited the show during its national tour, it was virtually identical to the performance I saw in Chicago during the tryout, though it was sadly missing the sparkling personality of the late Mark Arvin.

Posted: 12/17/09 at 3:39pm

Chris does a great job- but one thing I'd have added to his columns is that audiences seem to really like Addams Family. There's been a real clamor for tickets and the audience has reacted very positively, even if they say that it was only so-so.

While I have not seen Cirque, I have also not heard one peep of praise about it.

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 12/17/09 at 3:51pm

great article. Thanks for posting!

[Fosse76]

Posted: 12/17/09 at 5:14pm

First, the decade ends NEXT year. This is what happens, I guess, when people don't take arithmetic in elementary school. Second, that puts Aida in the last decade. Math isn't that hard, really it isn't.

Posted: 12/17/09 at 6:22pm

Oh christ that tired argument again? It ends when I say it ends. 2000 to 2009 is the decade. 2010 to 2019 is the next decade. I am just glad I will be long dead by the time jerks start whining that that the century doesn't end till 12/31/2100.

[BrianS]

Posted: 12/17/09 at 11:27pm

Joe, I've had two different friends see that Cirque show who aren't snarky people. Both have been a part of shows during the developmental process when the shows haven't quite found their feet and yet both of them seemed to describe Banana Shpeel (sp?) as "insulting, flailing, and completely lost in its intention."

As for Addams, they both said that talking to friends in the cast, the creatives know that they have a pretty good show that isn't anywhere near a home run yet and they seem to be ready to really re-examine its problem areas before the transfer. I hope they get there. The book needs to be strong enough that it still works when you take Nathan and Jackie out of the equation.

[Gavin Rehfeldt]

Posted: 12/18/09 at 3:54pm

I sincerely hope that Addams Family can get it together. Thanks for sharing this article.

[raggballad2]

Posted: 12/19/09 at 10:11am

So I saw the show again last night, and since I saw it in previews, changes have been made to make the family more "Addamsy." I still don't like how Gomez adds the "I go too far" after his jokes, but I enjoyed the show more this time than the last.

Choreography was changed, dialogue was changed, and some songs were changed (I don't know if these were changed by opening. I saw it first on 11/27). They changed some stuff in "Clandango" (the questions), and"Second Banana" is shorter and Bebe has more dancing than when I saw it last. The Ancestors also don't sing in it like they did before with the "join the portrait" part. I enjoyed "In the Arms" a lot more than I did last time, but then it seemed to me that the Beinkes had a much stronger resolution to their conflict than the Addamses (which I think should be fixed). It's a thought I had while watching the show last night, but I think the Ancestors should play a smaller role in the Swordfight and completely get out of the Tango scene. I feel like its Gomez's and Morticia's moment, and they really need one to themselves. The show still ends on a low note after building up so much in Act I.

Overall, again, I really really enjoyed the show, and while it still needs work, I can't wait to see it again. The audience also enjoyed it, and I overheard quite a few people say "I like it, but it's not all there yet."

BTW, they announced that they're recording an album in April on their official Facebook fan page. Updated On: 12/19/09 at 10:11 AM

Posted: 12/19/09 at 6:51pm

I think if they focus more on the Addamses they have a hit- especially as long as that cast stays.

[lakezurich]

Posted: 12/19/09 at 7:00pm

Yes, there needs to be more of a focus on the Addamses. There was that one scene in "Pulled" with Wednesday torturing Pugsley, but, I wanted more of that.

[njohn]

Posted: 12/21/09 at 6:08pm

Any show reviews about the changes? I hope they're changes that add to the show.

[averagebwaynut]

Posted: 12/21/09 at 10:59pm

My friend saw the show on Sunday and we compared notes. Sounds like they haven't made changes since Opening Night there, which doesn't particularly surprise me. After such a long rehearsal and preview process, wouldn't be shocked to imagine that everyone went off to get a little time away from the show, have some meetings, regroup, get some perspective and perhaps we'll see some changes during the last week of performances in Chicago. I'm going to try and see it over the final weekend via a buddy who is a student and can get me a rush ticket. Plus, they still have about 2 months between the final performance in Chicago and the first in NYC to work on it.

[Gavin Rehfeldt]

Posted: 12/22/09 at 2:00pm

I'm starting to think I'd like to see this again, but maybe I should get In The Heights in first.

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 12/22/09 at 2:37pm

"and perhaps we'll see some changes during the last week of performances in Chicago."

I'm pretty sure the show is frozen in Chicago since the official opening night already happened, so don't expect any (big) changes in a few weeks.

[BKLYN369]

Posted: 12/24/09 at 10:58pm

i just saw the show last night and i have to say i was very impressed. there are many holes in the plot that need to be filled and i agree, they need to add more "addamsy" traits to the family. the show didn't end on a high note sadly. to me, it seemed like at the end, they ran out of time and told the cast to just stand there. aside from these things, it was very very entertaining. the cast was fantastic of course. bebe and nathan had awesome chemistry. to me, the outstanding performer was Krysta Rodriguez. she was phenominal! all the cast came to the stage door as well, except for Nathan Lane. Security said he leaves the theater "through a secret door." Overall i thoroughlly enjoyed the show! hopefully it does well after the transfer!!