'The Addams Family' teaches us to accept each other's differences, says its producer
The Addams family is back! Wednesday, Pugsley, Gomez, Morticia as well as Uncle Fester and Grandma Frump will be in Singapore this November as part of a staging by UK production company Aria Entertainment.
The play will see new conflicts among members of the popular family of darkness, mainly surrounding Wednesday’s new boyfriend and Gomez’s struggle to keep a secret from his wife.
Ahead of the show’s opening, Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore caught up with producer and company director Katy Lipson, who shared her thoughts on how the show is relatable to families in Singapore, among others.
1. Why did Aria Entertainment decide to produce “The Addams Family” musical?
I have always been a huge fan of the TV series and films and was looking for a big project to produce. When I knew there was a musical version of this show, I immediately approached the authors and asked about producing the UK premiere!
2. What do you think of the response this musical has received in the UK?
We have been overwhelmed with the response we have received from our audiences. Countless standing ovations, great reviews and wonderful comments on social media! We couldn’t ask for more!
3. How can families in Singapore relate to the storyline in this musical?
The story is relatable to any family around the world. A child growing up and their parents having to come to terms with it. A loving family who stand by each other whatever happens.
4. The storyline for this musical is centred around Wednesday Addams and her “normal” boyfriend. Can you tell us how the nature of this relationship is relevant in society today?
It is funny that Wednesday thinks her family are different than all of the rest and tries to conform to the norm to impress her boyfriend’s parents, but the truth is that we are all a little bit different than the next person. Wednesday has that realisation as do all of the characters; that we must embrace each other’s differences and thrive on them! I think society can learn a lot from that.
5. There’s also a part about Gomez Addams keeping a secret from his wife. Can you tell us some possible marriage advice that the audience can learn from the show?
That the wives always know when their husbands are telling lies! No seriously, Gomez and Morticia are a beautiful, solid couple who we all could learn a lot from; this is why Gomez’s white lie is all the more powerful – because he has never kept anything from his wife before this day.
6. Separately, can you relate to the Wednesday Addams character in any way? How so?
Wednesday is feisty and knows what she wants; she is a strong woman and has some of the best songs in the show to sing! I relate to her for those qualities; Wednesday actively makes things happen; she doesn’t sit around and see things happen around her.
7. Last but not least, how does it feel to be someone who is possibly the youngest musical producer in the UK?
Thank you for the question! I feel incredibly proud to be working on so many amazing musicals with some of the best talent our country has to offer. I am so passionate about this genre of theatre and nothing gives me greater pleasure than producing something for the first time. This is why I generally focus on new musicals especially. Expect many more shows from me over the next 3 years!
“The Addams Family” will run from 15 to 26 November at the MES Theatre at Mediacorp.
Follow Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore on Facebook.
