The Addams Family musical is a delightfully dark and quirky show, and directors are always seeking creative ways to stage its iconic scenes. For those tackling this production, insights from experienced professionals are invaluable. This article delves into some inventive staging solutions, particularly focusing on how actors embody the beloved Addams Family characters in key musical numbers.
One particularly enchanting scene involves the song “Into the Moon and Me” and “The Moon and Me.” Pages 86-87 of the script offer a perfect opportunity to showcase the ensemble, especially the actors portraying the female dead ancestors. Imagine a sweet chorus number where these ethereal characters enhance Fester’s whimsical fantasy. Instead of the traditional approach of flying Fester to the moon, consider bringing the moon and stars to Fester through the choreography and staging of the ancestor actors. One successful production utilized a black traveler curtain (or ideally, a scrim) to create a nighttime ambiance with pale and dark blue lighting gels focused on Fester and the female ancestors. This staging keeps the scene grounded, portraying Fester’s romantic fantasy as happening on earth, yet feeling heavenly within his mind. For a touch of playful creativity, another production employed a dancer in black wearing a large moon mask. This “moon dancer,” always facing downstage in a humorous “South Park” style, became Fester’s dance partner, allowing the actor playing Fester to take center stage with turns and interactions. The key takeaway is to embrace creativity and find unique ways for actors to visually represent Fester’s fantastical journey.
Another memorable (and often challenging) scene to stage is Uncle Fester’s flight to the moon during the finale, “Move Toward the Darkness” (Song #23). Directors have approached this scene with a variety of imaginative solutions, all relying on the actors and stagecraft to bring the moment to life. One straightforward approach, described on page 115 of the script, involves costuming the actor playing Fester in a leather flight helmet and goggles, complete with a prop rocket strapped to his back, reminiscent of the ACME rockets from Roadrunner cartoons. When Fester signals, Pugsley, played by another actor, can “ignite” the rocket with a simple gesture upstage. Importantly, the focus should be on theatrical illusion rather than literal pyrotechnics; sound effects can effectively convey the rocket’s launch without the need for problematic flames or smoke. Prop companies, such as Prop Rentals NY, even offer pre-built rocket props to simplify this aspect for productions.
Page 116 of the script details Fester’s exit and rocket ignition. One inventive staging involved the actor playing Fester running up the theater aisle and out the doors, creating a sense of his departure. As a rocket sound effect played, the entire cast, comprised of numerous actors, was directed to move downstage and collectively gaze upwards, following Fester’s imaginary trajectory towards the moon. This unified action, synchronized with music, visually carries Fester’s flight into space within the audience’s imagination. From this point, productions have diverged in their approaches to depict Fester’s lunar ascent.
One approach cleverly utilized the theater space itself. As the cast and music directed the audience’s gaze upwards, the actor playing Fester discreetly ran backstage and up a small staircase positioned beneath a hanging moon prop, placed upstage and cleverly masked by the ensemble cast. While the actors on stage continued to look upwards and to the left, the audience was then surprised with a visual of Fester and the moon appearing behind the cast, creating a layered and magical effect. Another production opted for a humorous and whimsical route, crafting a small doll of Fester with his rocket, approximately 12 inches long. This doll was then puppeteered with fishing line and pulleys, pulled across the stage towards the moon, eliciting laughter from the audience. More recently, some groups have embraced projections, showcasing a small animated Fester figure moving across a projected backdrop towards the moon, culminating in the moon smiling, adding a touch of modern theatrical technology.
Even if having the actor playing Fester run through the aisle isn’t feasible, having him run offstage still works effectively. Directors can also creatively integrate the actors playing the dead ancestors into this scene, having them assist or escort Fester on his whimsical journey to the moon. The beauty of The Addams Family musical lies in its lighthearted and comedic nature. Sweet and whimsical staging choices are always appropriate, allowing for flexibility and creativity in bringing these scenes to life.
Ultimately, the success of staging these scenes, and indeed the entire musical, hinges on the creativity and commitment of the actors and production team. By embracing imaginative solutions and focusing on character portrayal, directors can create a truly memorable and spooktacular production of The Addams Family. If you devise another innovative approach to staging Fester’s moon flight, sharing those ideas will further enrich the collective creativity within the theatrical community.
