Lane Steals The Show At The Drama League Luncheon

Nathan Lane may feel as though he’s getting no respect for his portrayal of Gomez Addams in the new Broadway musical The Addams Family, but the two-time Tony winner certainly stole the show at the Drama League Luncheon Friday at the Marriott Marquis in New York City.

Tony-winning director Jerry Zaks presented Lane with the award for Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theater, and the star-studded dais, which included Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson, Vanessa Williams and Michael Urie, and the rest of the room roared with laughter and cheers throughout his acceptance speech.

 Here’s what he said:

Well, this is the best Drama League Luncheon I’ve ever been to. … I want to say how grateful I am that you chose me for this honor before the reviews for The Addams Family appeared. Otherwise, we’d be honoring Bernadette Peters this afternoon. But the good news is: People in America don’t like to read. … I’ve been an actor for 35 years and  The Addams Family is my 17th show on Broadway. Lucky No. 17. …

This is the second elder statesman award I’ve received in a month, and I’m starting to feel like Betty White. As an elder statesman, I’d like to say: Try to be kind to one another and not take [this awards season] too seriously, unless, of course, you’re winning. Good luck at the Tonys, or as they call it at my house, Passover.

I don’t think there’s anything more difficult to create in the theater than a new musical. When it works, it can be glorious, which is why people keep trying, and why the list of great musicals is so short. It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t keep trying and why we should not be afraid to fail honorably. The irony of receiving this award this year is not lost on me. It’s no secret that The Addams Family was not well-received in certain circles, like the Earth.

Yet it has become a success with audiences. It’s a fascinating phenomenon, best summed up by the words of my dear, departed mother who used to say to me as a child: ”F*ck ‘em!” May all your shows be hits, may you get lots of rest and stay hydrated, and remember what is most important: to do the best you can. Thank you!

Congratulations, Mr. Lane, on this very “Distinguished” award.