The Good, the Bad and the Ugly behind the making of The Addams Family

[averagebwaynut]

Posted: 10/5/11 at 1:55am

I expect a sizeable amount of snark in response but I, for one, as a fan of the show and a fan of reading about the behind-the-scenes of the theatrical process in general, found this a thoroughly interesting and (what seems at least to me to be) a refreshingly honest (warts and all) read.

I'm now even more excited to see the tour when it comes to Boston or DC (not sure which I'll decide to check out) -- sounds like they've done some excellent work.


EXCLUSIVE: Singing New Tunes, The Addams Family Gets Major Makeover for National Tour

Updated On: 10/5/11 at 01:55 AM

[thismyshow]

Posted: 10/5/11 at 2:31am

It actually kind of annoyed me, its them pretty much admitting they put a mediocre product on broadway......and jesus the overhaul for the tour, 3 songs cut and i think if I counted right 5 new songs.... they have no right to advertise this as direct from broadway because its not......

[brettarnett]

Posted: 10/5/11 at 3:48am

What an interesting article, I wish there were more articles this detailed and specific about Broadway.

[wonkit]

Posted: 10/5/11 at 11:42am

The revised version sounds so superior to the Broadway version!

[GottaHaveAGimmick]

Posted: 10/5/11 at 11:45am

Perhaps they should call it: "The Addams Family-Reimagined" for the tour. I understand that the creative team wanted to improve what they saw as an unfinished project. But then, should they have gone to Broadway in the first place?
I can just imagine the poor audience member who sees the tour and buys the cast CD, which will be nothing like the show they just saw.
Obviously, the team at "Billy Elliot" tried to make later changes as well,but to increase the bottom line. We see how well that worked out.
In the past, the 1st national tour tries to faithfully recreate the Broadway production to give those outside NY a taste of what they could see in NY. In this case, not so much.

[h6p8gv]

Posted: 10/5/11 at 11:56am

Can someone please post the tour song list?

[trentsketch]

Posted: 10/5/11 at 12:00pm

They should call it Charles Addams' The Addams Family and see if they can get the special kind of media blitz that only Sondheim can cause.

Posted: 10/5/11 at 12:11pm

I recall in my student days always being taught that each performance was another chance to "perfect" your show. It's nice to see that ethos still lives.

[1SillsFan]

Posted: 10/5/11 at 1:41pm

Here is the Song List from the New Orleans Playbill:

Act 1:
Overture
When You're an Addams - Company
Trapped - Gomez
Pulled - Wednesday & Pugsley
One Normal Night - Company
But Love - Fester & Ancestors
Secrets - Morticia, Alice & Female Ancestors
What If - Pugsley
Full Disclosure - Company
Waiting - Alice
Full Disclosure, Part 2 - Company

Act 2:
Entr'acte
Just Around the Corner - Morticia & Ancestors
The Moon and Me - Fester & Female Ancestors
Happy / Sad - Gomez
Crazier than You - Wednesday & Lucas, Mal & Alice
Not Today - Gomez
Let's Live Before We Die - Gomez & Morticia
Tango de Amour - Morticia, Gomez & Company
Move Toward the Darkness - Company

The Show is a LOT of fun! Douglas is really in his element and having a grand time.

Highly recommended for entire family!

[darquegk]

Posted: 10/5/11 at 2:25pm

The song "But Love" in Act One. Is that a reinterpolation of Fester's production number from the try outs?

[1SillsFan]

Posted: 10/5/11 at 2:48pm

I have not seen the Original NY version of the show, so I can't answer this. What was the original number like?

[uncamark]

Posted: 10/5/11 at 3:27pm

I found the article interesting, but a critic in Chicago for Time Out in a tweet called the article "fawning" and "sycophantic." I didn't see that in the article--what did this guy want--"this show sucks and why is it touring?"

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 10/5/11 at 6:23pm

Looks like the first act, in particular, has been totally overhauled. Not a bad idea. I saw the show in previews and thought it was sorta fun (thanks to the cast) but totally unfocused. And the score is lousy. I love the Addams Family and they deserve a better show than what went up on Broadway. I don't know how much better it can get without a totally different composer, but I wish it well. It's nice to see such an effort made.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 10/6/11 at 5:07pm

Sounds good to me As a die-hard fan of the show, I hope to catch the revised version on tour


https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photo-Flash-First-Look-at-THE-ADDAMS-FAMILY-National-Tour-20111004

Updated On: 10/6/11 at 05:07 PM

[E.Davis]

Posted: 10/6/11 at 7:11pm

I hope the expanded Grandma's stage time or part. Still stinks she does not get her own song.

[henryt]

Posted: 10/6/11 at 8:28pm

"In the past, the 1st national tour tries to faithfully recreate the Broadway production to give those outside NY a taste of what they could see in NY. In this case, not so much."

In this day and age, when a tour is no longer a guaranteed financial investment, it is fiscally irresponsible of a producer if they do not do everything they can to make the show as good as it can be. If there are obvious problems with the Broadway production, there is no reason NOT to fix them. I applaud Oken, Zaks, and the rest of the team for realizing that the show could be improved, and then implementing those improvements. Better late than never! This rings true especially because shows now often make far more money AFTER their Broadway run than during (through professional and amateur licensing, international productions, etc).

[OhTossums2]

Posted: 10/10/11 at 8:42pm

E.Davis, I agree.
These changes should improve the quality of the show greatly, but I just love Grandma Addam's character! I sure hope she gets more room to grow.