Open Forum

  • 1.  The Addams Family Musical

    Posted 01-30-2015 10:26
    I'd like to talk with someone who has produced The Addams Family and was successful with reducing the orchestration. 

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    Sonja Brown, Theatre Teacher
    Phoenix High School
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  • 2.  RE: The Addams Family Musical

    Posted 01-31-2015 14:26
    I am producing this show right now and I am also interested in this and any other info that might help with how you implemented some of the special effects; ie the tassel?? ------------------------------ Kristin Duerr Director of drama Notre dame academy Los Angeles CA ------------------------------
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  • 3.  RE: The Addams Family Musical

    Posted 02-01-2015 09:56

    We did THE ADDAMS FAMILY this fall and had a lot of fun with it - although there are a number of challenges with the special effects.

     For the Tassel, I basically used a remote control car. (built the tassel on top of it). As a concept it works - maybe not quite as easy as it sounds. As I understand it - in the Broadway and touring production, it was even easier. Because the tassel 'ran off' in front of the main drape (the SL half of it) it was actually done by hand - it 'fell to the floor' and was attached to a piece of metal that a crew member just slid off SL from behind the main drape. (of course, this doesn't work for the curtain call bit - but our remote control car did)

    For It - I was trying to use the remote control car concept as well, but that didn't work. We ended up just building It and putting it on wheels and had it 'pulled' across the stage.

    For the Hand at intermission - that was simply done with a crew member's hand reaching out.

    The other challenges I think were the crossbow shooting the apple - which we rigged with an arrow on a rat trap behind the tree. (that probably doesn't really help explain it). The script has the option for this.

    The last challenge we had was Fester going to the moon. I must admit, we had some ideas but ran out of time and never really solved this one. I have heard a number of ideas and we ended up going very basic, but not something I was really satisfied with.

    Good luck - my recommedation - don't let these 'little things' go - they are important for the show and may take a little extra time and creativity.

     That being said - have fun with the show. I think they have really fixed a number of 2nd act problems with this version. It's really a better show now.

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    Mark Zortman
    PA Chapter Director
    Central York HS, PA
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: The Addams Family Musical

    Posted 02-02-2015 10:42

    I came across a prop company that has a good collection of ADDAMS FAMILY props, including the runaway tassel and they do ship. It is Prop Rentals NY. Here is the tassel, and like Mark said, as on Broadway, it is very simply controlled by a crew person running with it behind the house curtain, http://proprentalsny.com/props/view/id/3225/name/Addams-Family-Large-Gold-Runaway-Tassel.They also have a mini-Uncle Fester that can be used to go to the moon and quite a few other props.

    I recently attended a high school production that used excellent projections from a company called Broadway Motion Design.

    Regarding the orchestration, I have looked closely at it and there is not a simple way to reduce the orchestration without diminishing Larry Hochman's brilliant orchestration. That being said, my best advice is to use the players that you have and hope for the best.

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    Jim Hoare

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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: The Addams Family Musical

    Posted 02-01-2015 16:55

    We did The Addams Family this fall - in black and white- and it was selected to perform at The Kansas Thespian Conference in January. It was a great adventure! Music wise- our budget was limited thus we used a piano and electric percussion set. The percussion set did all special effect sounds, multiple instruments, and was amazing. We did the tassel using a metal attachment that fit under/behind the curtain and worked well. The crew member acted as a puppeteer. Our tech crew were all in black morph suits, so Fester dancing with the moon was done with a crew holding/moving/dancing the moon- a lit from within moon night light about 12 inches in diameter. The moon changing from moon to Fester we did with gobo effects. My husband, an artist and theatre director, made the two slides so Fester's face looked amazing.

    Have a great adventure with this show. My students enjoyed it so much!

     


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    Jennifer Morgan-Beuchat

    Director of Theatre

    Jefferson County North

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    Original Message