The Addams Family (New Hartford Masque, 2015)

Few events match the annual high school musical for creativity, teamwork, and community involvement. Fitting the myriad pieces together and presenting the show to an audience is a small miracle, a memory that lasts. The biggest sporting events might generate similar enthusiasm, but when we gather for the musical, the kids always win.

Last night the New Hartford High School auditorium was packed to overflowing, which also happened Thursday and seems likely for the rest of the weekend. Holding the curtain for a sold-out crowd is the best kind of theater problem. The audience was rapt from the moment the orchestra played those four opening notes, and snapped along with the floating arm that materialized through the curtain. They roared and cheered at the macabre Charles Addams humor (one bondage scene might have been captioned “Fifty Shades of Addams”), but saved their biggest applause for jokes that targeted modern teens (Pugsley: I don’t understand your references! Grandma: Then stop the damn texting and pick up a book once in a while!) Addams would have approved.

The costumes were outstanding. (Kay Roberts, Jill Brooks, Beth Rice, Susan Mojave, Mary Carole Griffin, Joan Zumpano, and Jennifer Rust credited.) I was particularly impressed by the color coordination and variety across the large cast of “Ancestors” (a clever term for the ensemble.) Complementing the wardrobe was Sarah Spiwak’s well-realized makeup. I also have to single out Bambi Rowland’s program as a work of art – the best I’ve seen in a long time, anywhere. The pit orchestra, conducted by Thomas J. McAvaney, was predictably top notch, and included five students. I did wish for more student involvement in the orchestra and some of the technical departments – like many high school productions, the focus tends to be on student actors, leaving some educational opportunities unrealized.

Tickets for this show are not easy to get. (I mean that literally – if you want to try, make note of the corresponding phone number on the poster above.) If you’re lucky enough to attend, you’re certain to be delighted by the songs and spectacle. Congratulations to New Hartford Masque on another successful show!

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Paul on March 22, 2015 at 8:10 am

A nice testimony! What resonated with me was your advocating greater student involvement in the “secondary” creative and technical areas. With a little extra adult management, all that is attainable. Maybe not easily. But doable. And worthwhile.

Over the years, I played in a number of HS show pits. In general, those pits consisted of area music teachers, additional area musicians, and *some* student musicians. The first full pit rehearsal is typically 10 days before opening. That’s an aggressive timeframe. For greater student participation, those players would need attention earlier in the calendar. That’s not an argument against that participation. But I’m citing the type of work that would be entailed. Work that is worthwhile!

While playing in those pits, I learned there appears to be a ‘social contract’ between the area music teachers. At some point, they all break out their personal calendars. And to the degree possible, they all sign-up to play for each other’s shows. From February thru April, their schedules are unenviable. Sure, there is a modest stipend involved. But as one pit-playing jazz musician told me, “I only get paid for 5 hours. And I volunteer the other 15 hours.” 🙂

The NH drama program is outstanding, and one of the better ones in the region. I’ve seen other HS pits with greater student involvement. With mixed success. Greater student participation (in any of the areas) is always an admirable goal. But needs to be managed carefully.
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  Chris Bord on March 22, 2015 at 9:19 am
  
  Paul – I agree, certainly. Well worth doing, especially for those who don’t want to be “in front of the curtain.” I know that a quick rehearsal schedule is typically used for the pit musicians, so why not get students the music when the singers get their parts? Definitely would require coordination. Definitely worth doing.

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