The Addams Family

BAOS YOUTH           

THE ADDAMS FAMILY 

The Addams Family Musical is a delightfully macabre and entertaining musical that brings everyone's favourite creepy and kooky family to life on stage. With catchy tunes, witty dialogue, and a cast of eccentric characters, this musical adaptation successfully captures the essence of Charles Addams' original cartoons and the TV series. The story revolves around the impending visit of Wednesday Addams' "normal" boyfriend, Lucas Beineke, and his conservative parents, Alice and Mal, to the Addams family mansion. Wednesday is apprehensive about the meeting, fearing that their unusual lifestyle will scare off the Beinekes and ruin her chances for happiness. To complicate matters further, Wednesday has confided in her father Gomez that she and Lucas plan to marry, which leads Gomez into a state of secrecy, that eventually threatens to unravel the harmony of his marriage to his wife Morticia and the entire Addams household.

From the moment the curtain rises, we were transported to the eerie world of the Addams family. Gravestones and the family Crypt set in front of a lavish curtain. The set design showcased the gloomy yet grand Addams mansion, a staircase up to a second level provided variety and plenty of spots for the ancestors to hide away observing the action. Other scenes set in front of a variety of curtains, the star curtain was particularly effective. The lighting effects add a haunting ambiance, complementing the dark atmosphere of the story. You did seem to save some of your best effects for the very end of numbers! There are a few moments where the transitions between scenes could be smoother, creating a more seamless flow between scenes. Using the cast for the set up for the family dinner worked particularly well, maybe using them more throughout would have assisted with the flow of scenes. The Sound was well cued, occasionally the orchestra did overpower the vocals a little.

The Choreographers coped well with the range of dance styles in this musical from Ballet to Latin to the multiple suggestions from Gomes in “When You’re an Addams”.  It was well structured and pitched at the right level for the group. We particularly enjoyed the Tango sequence “Live Before We Die” and Fester’s ballet skills in “The Moon and Me” were a highlight.

The musical numbers in The Addams Family blend a variety of styles, ranging from lively and upbeat songs to emotionally charged ballads. The Musical Director did a great job with the often-tricky harmonies in the score.

The costumes were great throughout, all in keeping and especially for the ancestors, a wide variety of genres and decades, not an easy job. A little pet peeve of mine is making sure the makeup is blended all the way down the neck, there were a few white faces and normal coloured necks. Properties were generally very good, though you did probably need something more on the dinner table, even for the end of the meal!

In reviewing the principal characters: Gomez Addams and Morticia Addams, were both exceptional, with great characterisations and vocals, portrayed with charm and wit, and their duets and comedic exchanges worked so well. Wednesday Addams has a voice beyond her years, “Pulled” was stunning, just maybe try for more variations in your dynamics in the dialogue. Pugsley portrayed the annoying younger brother endearingly and with some lovely characterisation. Uncle Fester was a joy, with his eccentric antics and quirks. Grandma also had some lovely physical characterisations getting some great laughs from the audience. Mal Beineke I really enjoyed the dance movements as your character began to unleash his inner rock star. Alice Beineke some great vocals, and a fabulous transformation in “Full Disclosure” Wednesday’s “Normal” Boyfriend Lucas interpreted this role really well. His voice blended beautifully with Wednesday. Lurch, a difficult character to play, managed well with your deadpan reactions and grunts.

The ensemble all had their own individual characters from various times in history, and all had their own little quirks and distinct personalities, that they all maintained well throughout, haunting the mansion, and contributing to the musical numbers with their lively performances. There were some exceptional performers in the ensemble, that I kept being drawn to throughout, some to watch out for in the future.

Congratulations to everyone involved on a great performance.

 

PLEAS    NOTE:

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what he sees at the performance in question.  The reviewer may have received information in advance of the performance, and it is inevitable that his assessment will be effected by that knowledge.

The N.O.D.A. Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular the performance viewed.  It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques used during the performance observed.  Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other performances, and are only made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre.

It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and encouraged you to greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer will prove helpful in improving future productions.

 

 

 

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