First Year Players, a group of Syracuse University students dedicated to the performing art of musical theater, has chosen “The Addams Family” for its spring production.

The process for deciding the spring musical started months ago. Prior to summer break, members of the FYP executive board each chose their top three choices for the musical. They were researched over the vacation, and upon return to campus, the top six shows were presented to the staff for debate, said Andrew Martini, a sophomore public relations major and the assistant producer of the show. The show was then announced on Sept. 21. Past shows have included “The Wedding Singer” and “Rent”.

The staff played a part in choosing the show by creating lengthy pro and con lists for each of the options. That gave everyone the ability to see the strengths of each show as well as the entire staff’s opinion, said Catherine Bauman, a junior vocal performance major and a member of the Mentor/Mentee team for FYP.

The group unanimously decided on “The Addams Family”, and the following week, per tradition, members of FYP gathered at the Spaghetti Warehouse and watched a skit in which the decision of the play was revealed, said Sam McAllister, one of the show’s producers.

The executive board was pleased with the choice of show, especially with its emphasis on the idea of family, which is symbolic of the family-like atmosphere that FYP takes pride in, McAllister said.

“At the end of the day we are all a family,” she said, reflecting the group’s motto of finding one’s place.

Drew Muller, a senior advertising major and a producer of the show, said there were many reasons the staff chose “The Addams Family” as its spring musical, but one of the reasons was because the show’s quirky, dark-humor was a nice transition from the group’s powerful performance of “Rent” last spring.

Another big aspect in deciding on the best possible musical was how feasible it would be for all of the teams to produce. This is something that was brought up in the discussion held with the staff prior to the decision. It includes the acting, dancing, singing, stage management and public relations teams, as well as many others, each with their own responsibilities for making the show a reality, Muller said.

“The staff is starting to grind creative wheels together,” said show director Mike Liebenson, adding that they are beginning to block the show and plan the general direction in which the musical is headed.

Each member of the staff is responsible for his or her own portion of next semester’s performance. In the make-up department, prototypes have to be made and approved by the head of the art department. Everything is a creative process that doesn’t stop until the goal of a successful image of the show is reached, said Katie Mangol, the make-up artist for the show and a sophomore retail management and marketing management major.

In the months ahead, FYP will hold general interest meetings and workshops in singing, dancing and acting to help interested freshmen become acquainted with the skills that the organization is looking for in auditions that are held next semester, right after winter break, Muller said. The staff is particularly looking forward to the casting that takes place in January.

Said Muller: “I’m most excited to blow the show out of the water and make it our own.”

Published on September 29, 2014 at 12:01 am

Contact Erin: eemcdona@syr.edu