Director Petar Odazhiev brings a playful parody of black comedy to life in a new staging of The Addams Family musical, inspired by the iconic, globally recognized cartoon characters and their distinct, quirky personalities. In this musical adaptation, the well-known characters face a unique challenge as Wednesday Addams, now grown up, falls in love with a "normal" young man, turning their ghostly mansion into a chaotic nightmare.
The production team grounds the show in its musical dramaturgy, weaving it into every element—actors, choreography, mapping effects, and scenic transitions. Set designer Petko Tanchev skillfully uses precise mapping on the architecture of the Ancient Theater to transform it into the eerie Addams residence, a cemetery, or a midnight garden. For the first time, Plovdiv Opera incorporates AI to generate mapping elements for individual scenes based on specific descriptions from the musical.
Choreographer Amedeo Giunta brings in a Broadway-inspired mix of modern dance, jazz, and elements from Bob Fosse's style, adding vibrant energy to the otherwise dark family. The choreography serves as "scenic decoration," contrasting with the costumes and set design. By the finale, audiences will see that, in their own peculiar way, this "otherworldly" family is far more alive than most conventional families.
Supported by the Sofia Musical Theater, OPERA OPEN is a part of the "Heritage 2023" program for Plovdiv – European Capital of Culture 2019.
Watch the video about the making of the performance HERE.
