The Addams Family as presented by Glenamaddy Musical Society

Society Name: Glenamaddy Musical Society

Show Name: The Addams Family

Adjudicator Date of Attendance: 30/11/2024

Brief Overview of the Show and Evaluation of Front of House

Glenamaddy Musical Society's production of The Addams Family was a charming and spirited attempt at bringing the iconic macabre family to life on stage. This darkly comedic musical, based on Charles Addams' comic strip, focuses on the eccentric Addams family and their interactions with the more conventional Beineke family. The show is filled with whimsical, quirky humor that celebrates the bizarre yet loving nature of the Addams family. The production was well-received, and the cast’s enthusiasm was evident, and the performances were generally full of heart. However, there were several areas that could have been improved to enhance the show’s impact. The Front of House team did a solid job of creating a welcoming atmosphere. The staff were friendly and efficient, and the venue itself was comfortable for the audience. 

Director - Direction and Production

The direction of the show by Nigel Cassidy was generally solid. The blocking was functional, with each character positioned appropriately for their scenes. Several moments of the show could have benefited from more energy or urgency to push the narrative forward. This is a show that thrives on exaggerated, almost cartoonish performances, it would have elevated the performances to push the performer more towards this direction. Greater emphasis on pushing the characters' quirks and exaggerating their behaviors would have added an additional layer of humor and flair to the production. More attention to smooth and efficient transitions between scenes would have helped maintain the energy of the performance. This can be achieved by a solid communication between the director and the stage management team. Finer points of the production were hampered by Nigel’s presence onstage, rather than being able to sit back and see the bigger picture.

Musical Director - Direction and Orchestra

The role of the musical director, Mary Jo Fitzpatrick, faced several challenges that affected the overall musical experience. The positioning of the piano so close to the stage made it difficult for the performers to maintain proper eye contact with the conductor, leading to cueing issues. This affected the overall timing and rhythm of the performance. Having the MD facing the musicians would help in keeping the performance more even. More research into the tempos of numbers would help keep the energy of the show. The Addams Family is not scored for extended changes, so it is the responsibility of the MD to fill the silent pauses between scenes needed to be appropriately filled with scene change music. This, coupled with speedier scene changes will help maintain the flow and keep the audience engaged. With an unmic-ed cast, the balance between the orchestra and the cast was not always ideal, especially when the singers turned away from the front. MaryJo could work more closely with the cast and orchestra to strengthen the ensemble harmonies and create a more cohesive sound.

Choreographer - Choreography

Dance and movement are vital elements of a show like The Addams Family. The choreography, by Niamh O’Flanagan, was simple but did not fully bring the energy required for this production. The enthusiasm with which they were performed was without question. If movements are more tailored to suit the capabilities of the cast, and extra time is put into solidifying the choreography, the clean execution will fall into place. More focused rehearsal time on building confidence and improving stamina will ultimately benefit the society as they move forward. 

Leading Principals - Singing and Acting

Gomez Addams (Johnny Garvey) - Johnny delivered a solid performance as Gomez, capturing his charm and warmth with a strong tenor voice, particularly in "Happy/Sad." His pacing sometimes felt aimless, and the performance would have benefitted from moments of stillness to allow his natural charisma to shine through more confidently.

Morticia Addams (Niamh O’Flanagan) - Niamh portrayed Morticia with grace, but her vocal transitions into higher notes were occasionally shaky, detracting from the character’s smooth, sultry nature. Lifting her gaze up the raked seating would improve her connection with the audience and strengthen her stage presence.

Wednesday Addams (Ciara Farrell) - Ciara’s portrayal of Wednesday was competent. More focus on the energy and rebellious sharpness required for the character would enhance the portrayal. Her interactions with Gomez were a highlight, really showing the father daughter relationship. 

Pugsley Addams (Michaela Gilhooly) - Michaela’s performance as Pugsley was hindered by the gender discrepancy in the role. While her voice was lovely, the mischievous, bratty nature of Pugsley was underdeveloped. More work towards embracing the character's petulance would have benefitted her performance. Tighter cues from the MD would have helped with cueing issues.

Lucas Beineke (Patrick Monaghan) - Direction towards a more confident physicality and better exploration of Lucas’s awkwardness would have improved Patrick's performance. More work was needed on the energy and chemistry with Wednesday, as well as timing and vocal precision.

Alice Beineke (Sarah Kane) - Sarah shone as Alice Beineke, delivering an engaging performance full of energy. Her portrayal of Alice was particularly strong in "Waiting," where she stole the spotlight. Pushing Alice further into her madness would have added an extra layer of humor to the role.

Mal Beineke (Nigel Kennedy) - Nigel’s portrayal of Mal was effective. He captured the jolly, businesslike aspect of the character, but his frustrations were underexplored. A stronger focus on Mal’s breakdown in "Full Disclosure" would have given his performance more depth.

Grandma Addams (Ann Molloy) - Ann’s portrayal of Grandma Addams lacked the direction of eccentricity needed for the character. Her performance was too grounded, and the humor and physicality of Grandma were missing. A stronger emphasis on timing and energy, along with an accent, could have made the character more memorable.

Fester Addams (John Reilly) - Embracing the character’s quirky absurdities would have made Fester stand out more. John’s portrayal was a little restrained and could have leaned more into the eccentric nature of the character.

Chorus/Ensemble - Singing, Acting, and Choreography

The chorus and ensemble were a dedicated and enthusiastic group, hindered by a lack of confidence and experience. They gave great energy to the choreography. Moving forward they would benefit from additional dance training. Their vocal performances will benefit from stronger cueing and greater work on harmony, which affected the overall sound of the show. The ensemble did well to maintain their character throughout the performance and brought an overall sense of fun to the production.

Stage Management & Set Design

The set design was a highlight of the production. The use of levels and entrances helped to create the illusion of the Addams family home, and the overall design was visually effective. The scene changes were slow and disrupted the pacing of the show. More coordination between the director and stage crew is needed to ensure smoother transitions and maintain the flow of the performance.

Technical - Lighting and Sound

The lighting and sound need more work going forward. Noticeable issues impacted the show’s overall technical quality. The lighting needed a better focus as there were significant differences in intensity between upstage and downstage areas. The lack of microphones made it difficult to balance the sound of the orchestra with the cast, meaning vocal power was lost when performers were not facing forward. The popping sound before sound effects also needs to be investigated.

Visual - Costumes, Hair, and Make-Up

The costumes were a strong point of the production, with attention to detail and clear character definition. The makeup and wigs were fitting for the show, with the ghostly chorus especially standing out. Pugsley’s hair was a missed opportunity. The messy bun for a female performer playing a male character was jarring and detracted from the otherwise seamless visual design.

Adjudicator’s Suggestions/Comments

Glenamaddy Musical Society’s production of The Addams Family had many strengths, including a dedicated cast and solid design elements. There were several areas that could be refined. The direction could focus more on exaggerating the characters’ quirks and creating a stronger emotional connection between the performers. The musical direction needs to work on cueing, tempo control, and balancing the ensemble. Choreography should be tailored to the cast's strengths, and more attention should be paid to stage management and technical elements to ensure a smooth and polished show. With these improvements, Glenamaddy Musical Society has the potential to deliver a truly exceptional production in the future. Keep pushing the boundaries, and future performances could achieve a higher level of excellence.