Hello & welcome back to Monstrous Musicals. Let me ask you a question, what do you think of when you hear The Addams Family? The theme, Gomez, Lurch, Cousin Itt, Thing. All good answers but what about a musical. Yes, a musical. The Addams Family was adapted for The Great White Way back in 2010 and in 2011, I saw the touring production of The Addams Family at The Kennedy Center. This musical is interesting, not so much in it's story because that is riddled with cliches but I feel that this show just goes to prove that not everything can work on Broadway. Is this show bad? No, the music is okay and that is what we will be focusing on today but the plot feels like something out of a sitcom and is nothing special. Now I know what you may be thinking, The Addams Family is known for comedy. Yes, that is true but when you do a comedic musical, you really have to it out of the park and it is in my opinion comedy musicals are harder to get into. I mentioned the plot, let's briefly touch on that for a moment. To sum up, eldest Addams Wednesday is in love with a boy, Lucas who is normal. And we follow the exploits of these families meeting and learning that things are not always prefect. You have to learn to trust each other to relationships to last. See this isn't a bad idea and I do like the idea of including Gomez keeping his daughter's secret form Morticia but that is such old thing to do in stories. The character that comes out best in this show is perhaps Uncle Fester, who serves as the Greek Chorus/Narrator of the show breaking the fourth wall and talking directly to the audience. With this long introduction out of the way, let's begin.
Not to much to say on this one other then that, of course they were going to include the theme song. It's one of the most iconic theme songs out there and to not include this in your stage adaption of The Addams Family would be dumb.
Overture
Here again, not to much to say but I would like to talk about something from this show. The show's composer, Andrew Lippa tried to find a music score to match that of the characters. Gomez has Flamenco score, while Fester's is vaudevillian and Wednesday's is more of a contemporary pop. And that is a decision that I truthfully like because it gives something unique to each of the characters.
When Your'e Addams
Our first song of the show, here we hear The Addams at their graveyard as they celebrate what it is to be an Addams. As all dead, living and undecided Addams come together to celebrate this special night. By the way, I should mention that really the only two known stars in the original run were Nathan Lane as Gomez and Bebe Neuwirth as Morticia. And I normally hate complaints about well known actors being too distracting in the role but I kinda feel the need to touch upon that with Nathan Lane. As mentioned, I saw this at The Kennedy Center and it was a touring production, so of course they did not have Lane and Neuwirth come back and do their roles on the touring production. And the Gomez, I had was great because I bought into his performance. Of course, it may have helped that it was the first show I ever saw that actor in. Now as for Lane, I don't hear Gomez Addams. I don't know what they could have done to make this better because Lane isn't the first big name actor to take on this role as in Addams Family Values, Gomez was played by Tim Curry and let's not forget Raul Julia before him. He does get the sentimental loving father and husband side down pat but there is just something about Lane that felt amiss in this role but I can't place my finger on it. Also, I understand why they chose to promote Lane and Neuwirth as the big stars of this show, even though the main character is Wednesday. That's another thing, that kinda bugs me about this show. Particularly, it's promotion. It tried to ride off the name of The Addams Family without telling us anything about the plot. So, that left me wondering, "Are you an adaption of the sitcom, the movies, the cartoons from The New Yorker? What are you?" In the end, it turned out that it was an original story that took inspiration from many of the adaptions that came before it but mostly relied on the original cartoon strip. And I didn't know this until after the fact. It seemed as though, this show thought The Addams Family name would get people in the door and that'd be it. Well, it has but this show is not a critic's darling. It was panned left and right, when it made it's debut and I can understand that. I truthfully can. Do I think this show is bad? I'd just say forgettable. Ah, well.
Pulled
I must admit that this song is... okay. It's not bad but there is nothing special about this number. Let's go back to what I mentioned earlier about composer, Andrew Lippa wanted to give Wednesday (originally played by Krysta Rodriguez) , a pop like score. And I get that but that is the problem, it feels too Hairspray and not enough Addams. It is a good contrast to how Wednesday usually acts and I like how she is torturing Pugsley (originally played by Adam Riegler) while singing as that is in character for The Addams Family. So, this isn't bad. it's there.
Where Did We Go Wrong?
God, I hate this. One of the most annoying things, I hate in stories, where a child is growing up and falling in love, is when the parents question themselves and doubt whether or not they are good parents. I just want to yell "DID YOU EVER THINK THAT IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU?!?!?!?" And oh, it's supposed to be funny because they are singing about stuff that normal people would find weird. No, it's not! This is one of the worst showtunes, I've ever heard. Everything about it, just grates on my last nerve. And Lane was even less convincing as Gomez in this number. Here's an idea for future stage adaptions and shows in general, cast someone that fits the part and not someone who'll bring in the tickets. A little integrity for your show, could've a long way. Look, Gomez has been portrayed many different ways such as with an accent to go along with his namesake. And here's an idea, he had A Flamenco score, and Flamenco is Spanish. Why not cast a Spanish actor to play him? That could've accommodated the score and it would've probably worked better then Nathan Lane playing Nathan Lane pretending that he is playing Gomez Addams. I'm sorry but I really feel that this was a miscast on all fronts.
One Normal Night
Be still, my little musical heart. We have a good song. An honest to goodness good song. It's funny and while the Wednesday and Lucas's bit with their families are cliche, they work. Save for the character of Alice, who speaks in rhyme. That was annoying! And the bit with Uncle Fester and the ancestors is more along the lines of what I expect when I hear of an Addams Family musical. Don't get to used to me saying nice things in this review.
Morticia
Okay, musical, you are winning me over. Maybe you can turn yourself around and finally, you give me a song that sells me on Nathan Lane as Gomez. Only took three songs. Better late then never. This song is cute and this does capture the love that Gomez has for his life in that twisted and bizarre way, that only an Addams knows how to love. So, maybe there is hope for this musical to turn itself around just yet. Don't disappoint me.
What If?
What's this? Three good songs in a row! Perhaps, there is hope yet. This is such an adorable song of Pugsley singing about how he doesn't want to lose his big sister because he fears all the good times will go away. Being a little brother myself, I can totally relate to what he is going through.
Full Disclosure
Well, I knew the streak of good songs couldn't last. I get that this song is supposed to be a "fun" song but I just feel like that there is too much going on and I am not a fan of when songs are cut in half. Yeah, there is another part of this song. It's not a reprise, it a Pt. 2. Because as you heard, the song wasn't finished.
Waiting
Here, we go. This is more like it. We get into Alice (originally played by Carolee Carmello), who reveals that her marriage is on the rocks. I think I've realized what it is about this show. When they do songs, that are emotional, they are pretty good but when it comes to fun, they seem to miss the mark.
Full Disclosure Pt. 2
And now, we go back to the bad. Okay, the big secret that was kept was finally revealed. Wednesday and Lucas are getting married. But here's the issue, all throughout the play, they try to set up tension between the two families and as you can see here, it comes off as forced.
Just Around The Corner
Okay, this song is just disturbing and I get that it fits The Addams Family but there is just something unsettling yet entertainingly funny about listening to Morticia sing about death and I like how the tone contrasts the subject matter as the song sounds rather happy, and here we are listening to someone sing about death. This song is seriously growing on me. The best way to sum it up is "Play It Again!"
The Moon and Me
Great, another dud This song is just so boring. It's sweet but it's just so forgettable. Y'know the more I listen to this and think about Fester's relationship, I can't help but to think of The Princess and the Frog. Specifically, Ray and how this similar idea was executed much better with Ma Belle Evangeline. Ah, well.
Happy/Sad
For all of the ragging, I've done on Nathan Lane, I can't deny that this is such a beautiful song. The title is so perfect because it is about letting go and letting your children grow up and how the parents are both excited at the prospect of a new life for their child but at the same time, they will always see them as the little kids, they once were and how it is hard to let them go. It's like wearing a mask of happiness to hide the tears. This is one of the most beautiful songs from any show, I've ever heard. If there were more songs of this caliber, I wouldn't be so hard on the music of this play. Of course, the next number is my favorite song from this show.
Crazier Then You
I can't pinpoint what is about this song but I LOVE this song. This is the one fun song in this play that truly works. Wednesday and Lucas (originally played by Wesley Taylor) prove their love for one another. I mean he let's Wednesday shoot an apple off his with her crossbow blindfolded. This is a sweet song, showing that these two were meant to be.
I'm not going to call this song bad and I feel bad for not talking about Mal, (originally played by Terrence Mann) but he is a grade A jerk that shows no respect to his wife. And expects to be somewhat of a trophy wife and as you can hear in this song, he has bottled up his emotions and Gomez and Fester are trying to get him to open up and realize that love isn't a bad thing. This song serves it's purpose.
Let's Not Talk About Anything Else But Love (Reprise)
Not too much say on this reprise other then they just added in Granmama (originally played by Jackie Hoffman) and that's it to this number.
In The Arms
This song is bizarrely sweet and that works for The Addams Family. Y'know I don't recall if this was still part of the show, when I saw it. If it wasn't, that's a shame. Who knew facing a squid would help one to rekindle the love, they had for their partner.
Live Before We Die
This is a sweet song showcasing how much love Gomez and Morticia have for one another and that no matter what, they'll be there for each other. As any couple truly in love would be.
Tango de Amor
A different piece as it is mostly instrumental and that's okay because is just background music to see Gomez and Mortitca tango to. It's a very exciting piece in that regard and I get a lot of cool vivid images going through my head while listening to this number.
Move Toward The Darkness
Our final song of the show and I think the big thing from this number is that Lurch (originally played by Zachary James) sings out loud for the first time and James' has a very soothing and enjoyable voice. I'll admit that I like the joke of Lurch being able to perfectly sing. And in my opinion, this is a great song to close out on. It bring the cast together wonderfully for one final performance. Oh, by the way Fester does get to the moon and stays there.
Favorite/Least Favorite
My favorite, this time was easy to pick. I have to give it to "Crazier Then You". Now "Happy/Sad" is a strong contender for 2nd place, Crazier Then You is just a fun and sweet little number. Picking Least Favorite, this week. Yeah, that was tough because there are a lot of bad songs in this show but I have to go with "Where Did We Go Wrong?" because as I said, when talking about it, I hate it when parents think that they have failed their children in these types of stories. It comes off as a little selfish to me.
My Final Thoughts
Perhaps I was too hard on this show in the beginning of this review. Do I think this show is bad? No, there are aspects of it that I like and some of the music is good but at the same time, I can understand why this show didn't do very well with critics. There is truthfully nothing there that makes this play stand out and the songs are a mixed bag. Some are good and others are just downright terrible. I'm not complaining about this being an adaption as my three favorite plays, Newsies, Wicked, & The Lion King are also adaptions but I just feel that this show is a good example of "Just because you can do it, doesn't mean you should do it". Ah well, not every musical can be a home run. Join me next week as I take a look at a 2006 short film that was adapted from an off Broadway production as we get ready to go to Prom. Not just any Prom but a....
Zombie Prom
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