For those lucky enough to have secured an audition for The Addams family, I thought I would put together information gathered from around the internet to make preparation for this relatively unknown show a little easier.

Overview:

The musical is based on the characters originally created by cartoonist Charles Addams for The New Yorker in the 1930’s. The first adaption of the characters, a rather macabre family unit, was for television from 1964 to 1966, despite its brief life this original season has been heavily replayed ever since.

It was just the beginning for the characters as they have since appeared in everything from movies, animation, variety shows and further TV series. It was only a matter of time before they became a musical.

I’ve included a short synopsis:

When Wednesday falls in love with a “normal” boy and invites him and his parents over for dinner, things change for the Addams family and no one seems to know quite what to do about it.

From: broadwaymusicalhome.com

The Addams Family features an original story. It’s every parent’s nightmare. Your little girl has suddenly become a young woman, and what’s worse, has fallen deliriously in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family. Yes, Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has a “normal” boyfriend, and for parents Gomez and Morticia, it’s a shocking development that turns the Addams house upside down when they are forced to host a dinner for the young man and his parents. The production features all the favourite characters – Uncle Fester, Grandma, Pugsley, Lurch, and the Beineke Family of Mal, Alice and Lucas.

The Addams Family features a book by Jersey Boys co-writers Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa. The production is directed and designed (sets and costumes) by Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch, with creative consultation by Jerry Zaks and choreography by Sergio Trujillo.

From: addamsfamilythemusical.com.au

A much more comprehensive synopsis, as well as a lot of other information, can be found on the Wikipedia page.

Information:

Composer and Lyricist: Andrew Lippa
Librettist: Marshall Brickman, Rick Elice
Book: Rick Elice

It was nominated for two Tonys in 2010:

• Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical, Kevin Chamberlin
• Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) written for theatre, Andrew Lippa

 

Timing:

The show is due to open at the Capital Theatre, Sydney in March 2013.

The first round of auditions for principals are scheduled to take place in early October, kicking off in Melbourne. – Submissions for these auditions closed on August 24th, 2011

The ensemble casting is due to take place in June, 2012. – Details of the submission process still to come.

 

Production Team:

At this point we believe the production team to be:

• Director: Jerry Zaks
• Choreographer: Sergio Trujillo
• Musical Director: Luke Hunter
• Casting Director: Lynne Ruthven
• Producers: Rodney Rigby and Stuart Oken

 

Resources:

The Original Broadway Cast – Montage:

Links:

Reviews:

The New York Times: Buh-Da-Da-Dum (Snap Snap)
New York Post: Broadway’s ‘The Addams Family’ not altogether ooky
Variety: The Addams Family

More Articles:

The Sydney Morning Herald: The Addams Family coming to Australia – Including an interview with American producer Stuart Oken.
The New York Times:Oh, Snap: ‘Addams Family’ Broadway Musical Will Close at Year’s End

We will include more information as it comes to hand.

If you have anything you think will help auditionees please post it in the comments below.

For more information on the production or auditions please email: info@addamsfamilythemusical.com.au