Tonight my wife and I went to see “The Addams Family” musical at Music Circus.
It was a good play, I feel happy and entertained afterward, which means the show did its job.
The music was well-done, if at times fairly obvious or even campy. I would have liked something musically darker, less cheery, or at least a little more weird, but that might be the influence of Tim Burton/Danny Elfman movies I grew up watching. This play had a legitimately Burton-esque dark look to it, with excellent costuming and make-up that transformed the cast into a truly gothic ensemble of the undead. The cast, as usual for Music Circus productions, did a wonderful job in every respect. However, to me the music didn’t quite live up to the off-beat potential of the subject matter. While watching (or more accurately, listening), I often felt that if you removed the costuming, you could be watching any number of brightly-lit Broadway musicals playing a similar song and dance. Meanwhile, the lyrics were first-rate.
Admittedly, tonight I wasn’t thrilled to be going into a crowded theater. Partly I was a bit tired after this morning’s 9-mile run. Partly it’s that I generally feel conflicted about being at public events. On the one hand, I love seeing well-done entertainment (and tonight’s entertainment was well-done). On the other, being in crowds can often overwhelm or confuse me, especially coming in cold. These days I accept this about myself. I even surprised my wife tonight by bringing this up as we sat in our seats before the show started. This is something I have never done before.
I had a powerful realization during intermission, when I stood in line to get water. The guy at the checkout was someone I am acquainted with from previous high school theater productions in the area. I’ve also seen him working at Music Circus before. As I looked at him, I thought to myself, “This guy must be okay with being around people all the time to take a job like this. This would make me miserable. I am so glad I don’t have to do this kind of thing.”
Ha! Now there’s some honesty for you!
When I told my wife about this observation, she said she was proud of me.
It was a good night. I like that I’m telling myself the truth about my experience.
Oh yes, I so agree with your praise of The musical The Secret Garden put on by Sacramento’s fabulous Music Circus. Thank you for taking me!