The Addams Family In St Kilda

On the 17th of June, the 2016 Graduating Music Theatre Company of Federation University Australia’s Arts Academy are bringing back The Addams Family. Based on the iconic characters by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams, Melbourne will be presented with a fun filled musical from the creators of the Jersey Boys, Marshall Brickman and Rick Ellice. With music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa
 and directed and choreographed by David Wynen, we are sure to see the Addam’s family come back to life!

Sophie Smythe, who plays grandma in the musical, gave us an insight into what we can expect from the musical.

What are the differences between the original Addams Family characters and your characters in the musical?
The Addams Family characters first appeared in Charles Addams cartoons for The New Yorker in 1938, but were not given names and clear identities until the television series in 1964. Our characters in the musical are derived from the original cartoons, though there are parallels to the television series and movies. The characters are familiar, but they’re in a whole new situation — Wednesday is now a teenager and has fallen in love with a “normal” boy who must ultimately meet the family. The two families meet, chaos ensues, and of course, it wouldn’t be a musical if there weren’t some singing and dancing thrown in for good measure.

Where did the idea to bring back The Addams Family and turn it into a musical come from?
The Addams Family characters have been around for nearly eighty years, so it was only a matter of time before they were turned into a hit Broadway musical. I think there will always be a fascination with these people who are bent towards the darkness yet live lives similar to those who embrace the light. Since the last Addams Family movie in 1993, the characters have been kept in the dark, so a musical comedy was the perfect way to introduce them to a new generation.

Where has the music and soundtrack inspiration come from?
The music and lyrics are written by Andrew Lippa, a contemporary music theatre composer also known for Big Fish, John & Jen, The Wild Party, and A Little Princess. For Lippa, the original theme song (written by Vic Muzzy for the 1964 television series) was the obvious starting point. He then wrote music of a similar style that would lead on from that theme but also bring it into the music theatre realm. The characters all have a specific style of music: Gomez has Latin-style music, Morticia sounds a bit like a gypsy, Fester has a retro vaudeville flavour, and Wednesday has more contemporary music — yet the music still works together, much like the family. A lot of the show is a pastiche and steals quotes and musical styles from other shows as a way of piecing together its own identity within the stylistic constructs set up by Lippa. Intellectually, it’s a fun guessing game for musical theatre nerds, but also has a number of tunes you’ll leave humming.

Did you and the cast watch The Addam’s Family growing up?
For a lot of us, The Addams Family was just before our generation. However, we are encouraged to research as much source material as we can to gain inspiration for our own interpretations. It’s been a rewarding journey surrounding us with these much-loved characters and embracing their darkness.

What are some of your favourite musicals?
My top six musicals are Hamilton, Wicked, Parade, Little Shop of Horrors, Fun Home, and Into the Woods — an eclectic bunch! But right now I am loving Waitress and Tuck Everlasting (and of course The Addams Family!).

What can audiences expect from The Addams Family musical?
The Addams Family is the characters you know and love in a new light. There’s a lot of great music and (hopefully!) a lot of laughs – but it also has a big heart. Ultimately, it’s a story about love, family, and acceptance, of challenging what’s normal, and celebrating our unique differences.

The Addams Family
Theatre Works, 14 Acland Street, St Kilda
Friday June 17 – Saturday June 25
theatreworks.org.au/whatson/event/?id=290