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A CurtainUp Review
The Addams Family
Bebe Neuwirth and Nathan Lane
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Ingeniously designed and cleverly mounted by Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch, Charles Addams' determinedly depressed anti-family are hilariously consistent as they "Move Toward The Darkness." The sadly static plot: A squeaky-clean family descends on them when Wednesday (a strangely perky and contagiously dynamic Krysta Rodriguez) falls for a, gasp, normal boy.
Though it initially promises to explore Wednesday's ambivalence about sacrificing her crazy clan for supposed respectability, the tail-chasing second act instead centers on the amorous mid-life crises of Gomez (Nathan Lane, effortlessly emoting his sweet shtick and rubber faces, here with a hokey Spanish accent) and afraid-to-age Morticia (Bebe Neuwirth, morbidly morphing Katharine Hepburn into Gloria Swanson). All of which makes essential the comic support of Kevin Chamberlin's impish Uncle Fester, picturesquely in love with the moon, and Jackie Hoffman's grandmother from somewhere.
Andrew Lippa's score features terrific tangos for the horny Addams parents and a gradually endearing vaudeville ballad, "Let's Not Talk About Anything Else But Love," but the show's standout attraction is the directors' ingeniously cartoon-like haunted mansion in Central Park, its pop-up surprises and gut-wrenching props acting up even more than the go-for-broke, Broadway-bound ensemble. Twisted to please, this comfort musical should hope that (forgettable) familiarity doesn't breed contempt.
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The Addams Family
book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa Choreography by Sergio Trujillo Directed and designed by Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch Cast: Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth as Gomez and Morticia Adams; Terrence Mann and Carolee Carmello as Mal and Alice Beineke, Kevin Chamberlin (Uncle Fester), Jackie Hoffman (Grandmama), Zachary James (Lurch), Adam Riegler (Pugsley), Krysta Rodriguez (Wednesday), Wesley Taylor (Lucas Beineke). Ensemble: Merwin Foard, Jim Borstelmann, Erick Buckley, Colin Cunliffe, Rachel de Benedet, Valerie Fagan, Matthew Gumley, Fred Inkley, Morgan James, Clark Johnsen, Barrett Martin, Jessica Lea Patty, Liz Ramos, Samantha Sturm, Charlie Sutton, and Alena Watters. Lighting: Natasha Katz Sound: Acme Sound Partners Puppetry: Basil Twist (puppetry) Special Effects: Gregory Meeh Hair and Wig Design: Tom Watson Angelina Avallone (Make-up Designer) Music direction: Mary-Mitchell Campbell Orchestration: Larry Hochman Special Effects: Greg Meeh Fight direction: Rick Sordelet Ford Center for the Performing Arts Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph Stm /xguxFI www.BroadwayinChicago.com From 11/13/09; closing1/10/10 t Tickets: $28-$105 Reviewed by Larry Bommer Musical numbers (which may change on way to Broadway): Clandango, Let's Not Talk About Anything Else But Love, Pulled, Passionate and True, One Normal Night, Let's Not Talk About Anything Else But Love 2, At Seven, What If, Full Disclosure, Waiting, Full Disclosure (Part 2), Second Banana, Happy/Sad, Crazier Than You, The Moon and Me, Let's Not Talk About Anything Else But Love 3, Teach Me How to Tango, The Swordfight/Tango, In the Arms, Move Toward the Darkness |
Easy-on-the budget super gift for yourself and your musical loving friends. Tons of gorgeous pictures.
Leonard Maltin's 2007 Movie Guide
At This Theater
Leonard Maltin's 2005 Movie Guide
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