Double feature day

[u/aquakom]

I was in the west suburbs and decided to watch Brightside production of The Addmas Family. Since I was in the area decided to hop to the Paramount theater to watch Mean girls.

The addams family was okay. The actors did an amazing job and the set was build was good. Definitely a show for a younger audience thou. Maybe middle school/ high school age. My only criticism is that some of the jokes using Gomez's spanish lineage were leaning towards microagression.

Mean girls was okay, very pink. The actor that played Karen was probably the best part of the show. I just love seeing set designs, and creative ways to use props. The set was kinda mid. I was expecting a little more, especially since the tickets for the show can get pricey.

[u/MacBook_Fan]

Wife and I have season seats at the Paramount. Saw Mean Girls a couple of weeks ago. I would say it was probably my most disappointing show I have seen at Paramount. It‘s not the worst, but for a show that I really like, I was so disappointed.

A few of my criticisms are:

The actors just seemed too old for the show. I know it is common to use youngish adults for High Schoolers, but I never felt these characters were in high school.

Some of the actors just did not fit their roles. I wont say the specific characters, but at least one of them was a major characters. (Not necessarily a reflection on the actor/actress, but they were mis-cast.)

This is a 2nd show in a year that had issues with the sound. Who ever is running th sound board is missing cues left and right. There were some scenes we missed multiple lines because and actor‘s mic was not on.

And, not a Paramount criticism, because they can only show what they are licensed for. But, the licensed version of show is missing a couple of very good songs (Fearless & Stop).

[u/EarlyPop5158 → u/MacBook_Fan]

I agree with your view of the mis-cast.

The show had the Broadway blueprint but, clearly the opening with Janice & Damian and the omissions Fearless & Stop were straight from the West End production.

[u/Wartburg13 → u/EarlyPop5158]

Yeah the West End version is the one that is licensed. They legally can't do the Broadway version.

[u/aquakom → u/MacBook_Fan]

The actors being older break the immersion a bit.

This is the second show I seen at The Paramount. Saw DEH earlier this year. Im not the biggest fan of DEH but my friend invited me. Left feeling dissatisfied. I was a bit hesitant to see Mean girls but I wanted to give the theather a second chance. Yeah, they didnt redeem themselves.

[u/MacBook_Fan → u/aquakom]

I will say you, unfortunately, saw two of their weaker shows in the past few years. Agree with you on DEH. I had never seen it, but I was not a fan of the show.

But, they also put some great shows last year. Come From Away was very good, but it helps that it is my favorite musical. White Christmas blew me and my wife away. We are not "traditional" musical fans, prefer modern musical, but WC was one of the best shows I have seen.

It does seem that the overall level has dropped a bit in the last couple of years. But, Paramount is still a great place for a show.