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.
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......
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.
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.
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.
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?"
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.
"TO LOVE ANOTHER PERSON IS TO SEE THE FACE OF GOD"- LES MISERABLES---
"THERE'S A SPECIAL KIND OF PEOPLE KNOWN AS SHOW PEOPLE... WE'RE BORN EVERY NIGHT AT HALF HOUR CALL!"--- CURTAINS
"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).
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.
Jealous? I ain't jealous. I can take on these fellas whateva.