File puptcrit/puptcrit.1004, message 99


Date: Sat, 10 Apr 2010 14:55:50 -0400
From: Steve Abrams <sapuppets-AT-gmail.com>
To: puptcrit <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Subject: [Puptcrit] puppets in Addams Family (the musical)


A musical
"The Addams Family" opened on Broadway April 8
The show previewed in Chicago and it was reported that there were "problems"
Reworking followed
The show features 2 knock out stars- Nathan Lane as Gomez Addams and Bebe
Neuwirth as Morticia

I was curious about the show but have not seen it.
The reviews are mostly negative, but most critics report that the audiences
seem to be enjoying the show
Several critics who did not like the show went on to praise Basil Twist's
puppets.

Variety
The secret weapon of "The Addams Family" turns out to be Kevin Chamberlin,
who sprinkles several handfuls of stage dust over the proceedings as Fester.
"The Moon and Me," a serenade in which he soars over the stage to play with
a round yellow globe, is the lone moment in which actor, material,
stagecraft and Basil Twist's puppets combine to create magic.

NY Times
That squid is the work of the wonderful puppeteer Basil Twist, who also
whipped up a giant iguana, a regular-sized Venus fly trap and a charming
animated curtain tassel.

NY Post
The production looks great -- special kudos to Basil Twist's puppets for
cousin Itt and the monster under the bed -

Associated Press
Ghostly, long-dead Addams ancestors make up the underused chorus, but there
is some inventive puppet contributions from Basil Twist including an amorous
squid.

Hollywood Reporter
The hackneyed plot might have been serviceable if there were enough funny
jokes in the mix, but despite Lane and the rest of the cast's best efforts,
more often than not the humor falls flat.
Where the obviously expensive show does shine, not surprisingly, is in the
design elements, from the elaborate gothic scenery and costumes by the
Improbable Theatre's ("Shockheaded Peter") Phelim McDermott and Julian
Crouch to the wonderfully imaginative and clever puppets designed by Basil
Twist.
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