Hi Maggie,
An overview, synopsis, author info, songs, casting information and orchestral info can also be found at
http://www.theatricalrights.com/addams-family. You can click on the green "Resources" button to find a prop list and costume information.
Here are a few notes that I have from the first few amateur productions:
Song #16C INTO THE MOON AND ME and Song #17 THE MOON AND ME
Page 86 - 87 is a perfect example of a great place to use all of the female dead ancestors in a sweet chorus number. On page 87 it says, "FESTER dances with the MOON and the STARS." I've seen this done in front of a black traveler curtain (although a black scrim would have been better). With nighttime lighting (pale and darker blue gel) on FESTER and the female ANCESTORS in front of a dark curtain (or behind a black scrim), rather than flying FESTER to the MOON, use the ANCESTORS to bring the MOON and some stars to FESTER. The number is FESTER'S romantic fantasy, so choreograph it as if it's on the earth in reality, but in the heavens in FESTER'S mind. One production created a large moon mask for one dancer dressed in black, and keeping her facing downstage (SOUTH PARK - style) she actually danced with FESTER, having FESTER do all of the turns. Be creative with it.
Here are a few ways that directors have approached the Uncle Fester flying to the moon scene (Song #23 FINALE: MOVE TOWARD THE DARKNESS):
1. Page 115: FESTER appears, wearing a leather flight helmet and goggles. He has a rocket strapped to his back. Some groups have made a prop rocket, similar to the ACME rocket that the Roadrunner wore in the cartoons, which attaches with straps like a backpack to FESTER. When FESTER asks, PUGSLEY lights the rocket. This can be done by a gesture upstage of the rocket however you want. But no one needs to see any flame or smoke. One director told me that he tried to create a rocket that could shoot off some smoke, but that it became too problematic. So he used only sound effects. I know of at least one prop company that is building something,
www.proprentalsny.com.
2. Page 116: FESTER exits, his rocket sputtering. THEN ROCKET IGNITION! GOMEZ, points out to the sky, as FESTER flies off. One production had FESTER run up the aisle and out of the theatre. As he reached the door a sound effect of a rocket was heard as every cast member was directed to move downstage a bit and look in exactly the same place following FESTER up into the sky towards the moon (wide eyes following FESTER from the lower right hand side of the rear wall to the upper left hand side - there is music to cover this). From here there have been a few different approaches taken:
a. As the cast and music followed FESTER to space, the actor playing FESTER ran backstage and up a small staircase placed under the hanging moon upstage and above (and masked by) the entire cast. The cast kept looking at FESTER to the upper left hand side of the back wall, but the audience actually saw FESTER and the MOON behind the cast.
b. One group made a small doll of FESTER and his rocket (about 12 inches long) that they pulled with fishing line and pulleys across the cyc towards the MOON, which was very funny.
c. A more recent group used projections, projecting a small FESTER moving towards the MOON and then having the MOON smile.
If you are not able to have FESTER run up the aisle, you could have him run offstage. You can always use the dead ancestors to help with this as well - helping/escorting FESTER to the MOON. Fortunately it is a lighthearted musical comedy, so sweet and whimsical works well whatever you choose to do.
If you decide to do the show and come up with another creative way of approaching the scene, let me know and I'll add it to the list.
Hopefully a few of the people who have directed the show will weigh in as well.
Finally, there will be a workshop about directing THE ADDAMS FAMILY (and BIG FISH) at the Thespian Festival and the EdTA National Conference in Cincinnati.
Thanks!
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Jim Hoare
Director of Licensing
TRW
New York NY
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-08-2014 06:23
From: Maggie Ward
Subject: Addams family
Has anyone produced this musical? If so, what were the significant challenges? Was there enough for the chorus to do? Would you recommend it?
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Maggie Ward
Columbia MD
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