A Glimpse Into A (Two Performance) Day In The Life of Zachary James

from Playbill.com, PHOTO EXCLUSIVE…
By Matthew Blank
24 Aug 2010

Zachary James, The Addams Family’s butler Lurch,  armed with a digital camera, offers a glimpse into a (two performance) day in the life of a  Broadway performer, from morning wake-up to final curtain. 

Placing the cursor over a picture will pause it, and reveal the caption.

Thank you, Playbill.com, and Mr.  James, for these great pics!

Jonas Brothers Visit The Addams Family

Nick and Kevin Jonas, along with little brother Frankie, visited another famous family this week – The Addams Family! 

For more pics, visit broadway.com.

Nathan Lane on Vacation from The Addams Family

Nathan Lane will be on vacation from The Addams Family Musical next week, August 24 thru 29.  We’d love to hear from anyone who’s seeing the show with Merwin Foard in as Gomez. 

Please leave your comments here.

Cast Change For “The Addams Family” Musical?

Saw this on Playbill.com under “Casting and Jobs” and found it very interesting.  Anyone with inside info care to comment?

A Peek Into Jackie Hoffman’s Dressing Room

To Grandma’s House We Go: Jackie Hoffman Shows Off Her Addams Family Dressing Room

 By Broadway.com Staff , July 28, 2010 

Photo by Jenny Anderson for Broadway.com

Broadway.com is no stranger to The Addams Family star Jackie Hoffman’s dressing room, as it often functions as the filming location for Hoffman’s popular Addams Family video blog. Hoffman welcomed us into her space at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre for an even more in-depth look at what makes Grandma feel at home. “Tchotchkes keep me going,” she says of her room, which includes everything from photos of her own family to gifts from Broadway pals. Take a look!

“That’s my husband, to make me think it’ll be comforting when I have no work. ‘Oh, I have a life and that’s apparently what’s supposed to really matter.’”

“Mary Testa, another Broadway great, gave this to me. Her friend was Nancy Grace’s assistant and it says [in a dead on Nancy Grace impression], ‘Dearest Jackie, keep the faith, friend. You bring joy to so many. PS: O.J. did it!’”

“This is my father. He goes with me to every show so he can see me on the Broadway. He died before I got into Hairspray and did the Broadway thing, so at least he goes to the dressing room. It’s his Mad Men photo at his office…always with the pipe. It lasted perfectly until recently there was another fucking photo stuck to it and I had to [makes ripping noise].”

“This is the CD Jackie Hoffman Live at Joe’s Pub to remind me I have something outside of [The Addams Family].”

“My aunt Judy gave me this. It looks like a Beatrix Potter mouse, but I’ve called it a bear, and it says ‘A gift for someone special.’ She’s literally the funniest woman ever. Even with all the professional and non-professional funny people I know, she’s the funniest by far.”

Bebe Neuwirth will show off ‘Morticia’s Nails’ on July 15

Bebe Neuwirth to Unveil The Addams Family Themed Nail Polish, With Proceeds to Benefit the Actors Fund

Tony winner Bebe Neuwirth will host the launch of Morticia’s Nails, a nail polish collection inspired by her character in The Addams Family, on July 15 at the Eventi Hotel. Neuwirth and her husband, Chris Calkins, have teamed with Essie Cosmetics to design and release the line, which will include three colors: Midnight Tango, Bone Chilling White and Blood Curdling Red. All proceeds will benefit The Actors Fund. Neuwirth will be joined by her female Addams co-stars at the event.

Morticia’s Nails will have a limited release of 5,000 pieces retailing at $30 per three-color set. Neuwirth expects the collection to raise more than $100,000 for charity.

Later on July 15, the actress will appear with Addams castmates Carolee Carmello, Jackie Hoffman, Zachary James, Wesley Taylor, Adam Riegler and Krysta Rodriguez, and composer Andrew Lippa at an album signing for the show’s cast recording at the Lincoln Square Barnes and Noble.

Cast members of “The Addams Family” to Perform at Barnes & Noble

Barnes & Noble Lincoln Triangle has announced its events calendar for the month of July.

On Thursday, July 15 at 4:30pm, cast members of THE ADDAMS FAMILY will perform and sign copies of the original Cast Recording. Appearing at the event will be composer-lyricist Andrew Lippa, Bebe Neuwrith, Carolee Carmello, Zachary James, Adam Riegler, Wesley Taylor, Krysta Rodriguez and Jackie Hoffman.

Another Look At Merwin Foard

I’ve posted a couple of interviews/articles on Merwin Foard, understudy for Gomez and Mal Beineke in The Addams Family Musical, but I think my readers can stand one more.  I find Foard truly fascinating, and anyone who can go on in the lead role of a show, without a single cast rehearsal, is a hero in my book! 

******************************************

Understanding Broadway: The Standby
By Frank DiLella, Theatre Producer for NY1 News
01 Jul 2010

Merwin Foard observing the performance from the backstage monitor at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.

There’s a chameleon lurking in the wings over at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. No, I’m not talking about the Basil Twist creature that lives under Pugsley Addams’ bed.

Eight times a week this chameleon, known as actor Merwin Foard, sits patiently backstage, prepared to step in for Nathan Lane’s Gomez or Terrence Mann’s Mal Beineke — just in case anything goes wrong with either performer.

Foard, a longtime musical theatre vet, has spent the last few years standing by for some of Broadway’s biggest stars, from Michael Cerveris’ Sweeney in Sweeney Todd to Brian Stokes Mitchell’s Fred in Kiss Me, Kate. Foard’s new home is now with The Addams Family.

“I arrive at the theatre an hour before curtain and go to the green room, where we have a video screen of the stage,” said Foard during a recent matinee. “Once the performance begins, I watch the monitor and check for differences in choreography and blocking. Physically, I perform the show with the performers while watching it on the screen.”

Unlike a typical understudy in a Broadway musical, who also appears as a minor role in the show or in the chorus, Foard is called a standby — a role that demands an actor to literally stand by — in case a leading performer needs to miss a show or leave mid-performance.

“It’s a tricky thing to take on,” added Foard. “You have to do it all on your own. You’re subject to watch the rehearsal…but you’re rarely physically on your feet…so it requires a lot of homework you need to do privately.”

That homework came in handy out of town last fall in Chicago, where The Addams Family had its world premiere.

“It was Thanksgiving weekend and Nathan came down with bronchitis,” said Foard. “I had no rehearsal and we were in previews. All the rehearsal time had been afforded to the actual cast, so when it was announced that Nathan was going to have to miss a show, we all went into emergency mode.”

He added, “I worked with our musical director, choreographer and director to get me as physically prepared as I could be in a rehearsal studio so that I could do the next three performances.”

As for his initial reaction when he was told he was going on for the first time as Gomez? “Shock. It was so early on in the process and you can’t fault Nathan for being ill. I got into this laser focus. You say to yourself: ‘[I] have to do it’ — because the only other option is to cancel the performance.”

It also helps to get support from the show’s leading lady, Bebe Neuwirth. “Bebe was fantastic. She was there to rehearse scenes and choreography.”

And while this chameleon, who calls himself “the Swiss army knife of Broadway,” has made a career of standing by for some of Broadway’s finest, he says he hopes to continue to shed layers, looking forward to new experiences on The Great White Way.

“Of course it’s nice to be thought of as a dependable back-up. But I’m anxious to have a role outright and not have to split focus.”

Wesley Taylor at the Duplex

ROCKIN’ OFF MONDAYS!

music direction by
Will Van Dyke

Pit orchestra musicians rock on their day off under the musical direction of Will Van Dyke. With Greg Germann (drums), Jon Price (bass), Allison Seidner (cello), Jake Ezra Schwartz (guitar) and Erica Von Kleist (sax).

June features the music of Elton John performed by Alex Brightman (Wicked), Michael Buchanan (Cry-Baby), Celina Carvajal (Cats), Preston Sadleir (Mrs. Sharpe) and Wesley Taylor (The Addams Family).

$20 Cover at the door, plus 2 Drink Minimum

$15 with reservation or for AEA, plus 2 Drink Minimum
Mon, Jun 28 @ 9:30 PM

Reservations STRONGLY ADVISED!!!

Kevin Chamberlin, on Being Thrice-Nominated

What’s Up, Kevin Chamberlin? The Addams Family Tony Nominee Knows Good Things Come in Threes

by Beth Stevens, Broadway.com

It would be a cheap—but fitting—joke to say that The Addams Family’s Kevin Chamberlin is over the moon about his third Tony nomination. The versatile actor, who has made a name for himself on Broadway with performances in Dirty Blonde, Seussical, The Ritz, Chicago, Triumph of Love and more, is both pleased and perplexed about his latest Tony nod. He’s pleased for the usual reasons, and a little perplexed that his hit show did not receive more love from the Tony nominators. Nevertheless, the affable actor chatted with Broadway.com on a recent afternoon about the joys of being a three-time nominee, and the word he wants to make popular.

So, you’re a three-time Tony nominee now!
Yeah, thrice-nominated. I’m using the word “thrice’ now. I’m trying to bring it back; it’s never used anymore.

How does it feel to be thrice-nominated?
It never gets old, I’ll tell you. Hopefully I won’t be thrice-nominated, though; I’ll be twice-nominated, with one win.

You are the elder statesman of your category.
Yes! I’m the oldest in the category. That should count for something, right? It’s like the Equity rule: I should win just by the number of weeks worked.

What are some of the perks of being a Tony nominee?
Well, we don’t get the Tony gift basket anymore. You used to get incredible swag—there was like $5,000 worth of stuff. I remember getting an MP3 player, gift certificates to restaurants, a three-year gym membership. There’s nothing like that now.

Do you feel a great responsibility in representing The Addams Family at the awards?
Yes, [composer] Andrew [Lippa] and I are representing. If I do win, I will definitely be all about sharing it with the company. We are a tight-knit group—it is a true ensemble. It was very hard to come into work on that Tuesday after the nominations came out because I wanted to be really happy and enjoy it and be pure, but I also felt a lot of people were looked over.

Were your castmates supportive?
Oh, incredible. How could they not be? It’s so not up to us, and we’ve been actually enjoying our underdog status.

Is it strange that this show can have “underdog status” in terms of awards when it’s such a hit at the box office?
It’s a head-scratcher, isn’t it?

The cliché that you’re laughing all the way to the bank seems to hold true here.
Yes, we are. Awards do not pay the mortgage [laughs].

What are the challenges in playing a character based on a cartoon?
You want to pay homage, but you want to also put your own mark on it. I think that was helped by the writers who really gave Fester a heart. I wanted to expand that heart and make it a three-dimensional character as opposed to a cartoon. Because really, that’s what these characters are: They’re based on one-panel cartoons. I went back to the original drawings and looked at all the Fester cartoons. He always comes from a place of glee.

Are you having fun being the narrator and getting to address the audience?
It’s a double-edged sword. If the scene doesn’t go well, I’m the one who has to direct myself and say, “OK, what am I going to change tomorrow night because that joke didn’t land?” Whereas if you’re in a scene with someone, it’s usually, “What is that person going to give me tonight that’s different and how is that going to change the rhythm of the joke?” Especially with comedy, it’s such a scientific thing. I call it my PIT theory: Pitch, intention, timing. I just made up that acronym. I’m going to start teaching classes, “The PIT technique with Kevin Chamberlin,” and charge $1,000 a class. I think it’ll be very valuable for the young kids.

You’re working with some very adept comedians. Do you guys crack each other up?
We try not to. I’m the worst. I get angry at myself because I don’t want it to become like the Harvey Korman/Tim Conway show. I always want to stay in character. Sometimes I have to go to a very dark place in my head to stop myself from laughing.

What makes awards season meaningful?
Hearing from people from your faraway distant past—that’s the most moving for me. Getting calls from the people who believed in you early on, like Claudia [Shear]—she and James Lapine are responsible for this. They put me on the map as an actor who could star in a Broadway show [with Dirty Blonde in 2001]. I wish my parents were around for all this.

Did they see you make it to Broadway?
They saw me in My Favorite Year [Chamberlin’s Broadway debut in 1992], yeah.

But they had no idea you’d be thrice-nominated.
No, they didn’t. Bravo, by the way—good use of the word “thrice.”

Dance 10, Looks 10

Interesting piece from March about not just any Wednesday, but about our Wednesday. We didn’t know about the dance talent.

Broadway’s Spooky Starlet: Krysta Rodriguez

.

Sergio Trujillo, choreographer for the new Broadway show The Addams Family, didn’t initially envision the role of Wednesday as a dance part. But triple-threat Krysta Rodriguez changed his mind. “Because Krysta is so capable of commanding the stage with her body and movement, I’ve found more opportunities for the character to dance,” he says of the 25-year-old who plays Wednesday Addams. “We’ve incorporated quirky vocabulary for her, and I’m thrilled with the way Krysta is able to interpret it.”

.

Krysta says this is her most challenging and exciting role yet, especially since the show centers around Wednesday’s first romantic relationship. She loves playing in the spooky world, with “ensemble members who dance flamenco and tango, but in an upside-down sort of way,” she explains. “It’s sensual and strange all at the same time.” Plus, with Bebe Neuwirth and Nathan Lane as co-stars, Krysta’s joining the industry’s elite.

.

Scoring the chance to originate a role on Broadway probably sounds like a dream come true, but Krysta’s story isn’t a fairy tale. No stranger to rejection, Krysta says her latest job follows the motif of her career: persistence. “I didn’t get cast as Wednesday when I first auditioned for the workshop. I was put in the ensemble,” she says. “But I re-auditioned when the show was moving to Broadway. I was better equipped because I already knew the material. I did a gloomy song with a peppy beat and did it totally deadpan like Wednesday would. Plus, I wore hair extension braids. I pulled out all the stops.”

.

Krysta’s Addams Family audition experience was one of many hurdles she encountered on her way to the top. Sometimes discouraged but always determined, Krysta used these setbacks to her advantage, taking each one as an opportunity to learn more and improve her skills—a strategy that has clearly paid off.

.

California Dreamin’

Growing up in Orange County, CA, Krysta was always “moving, grooving and dancing, even as a tiny girl,” she says. But she didn’t begin dance training until age 13, after cheerleading in middle school. She studied jazz, tap, hip hop, ballet and modern at the Jimmie DeFore Dance Studio and was part of the studio’s competition team. “While driving to one of my dance recitals, I noticed the car smelled different than the theater,” Krysta says. “I wanted to be around that theater smell all the time.” During a trip to NYC soon after that recital, Krysta saw eight Broadway shows! It was then that she realized the performers had to act, sing and dance, so when she returned home, she began taking acting and singing lessons.

That summer, Krysta auditioned for the Orange County High School of the Arts musical theater program. When she didn’t get in, she was devastated. But instead of giving up, Krysta enrolled in the school’s technical department. The choice worked in her favor. “I made sets and worked the lights and sound. Now I appreciate all the elements that go into a performance,” she says. “I also learned the shows—like A Chorus Line and Guys and Dolls—while I was working the spotlight.”

At the beginning of her sophomore year, Krysta re-auditioned for the musical theater program and was accepted. “I was so relieved,” she says. “I felt validated.” Soon she was earning lead roles in the school’s productions, including Marian in The Music Man. And the summer after her sophomore year, Krysta got another major boost: Francis Ford Coppola directed a staged production of Gidget at the OCHSA theater and cast the blossoming performer in the title role. A manager noticed her performance and helped her sign with an agent.

New York, New York

Krysta moved to NYC for college “because I needed to be there to take a real crack at my dream of being on Broadway,” she says. The then-17-year-old enrolled in the musical theater training program, CAP 21, at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. The intense conservatory setting required her to amp up her dance training. “We took more dance class than anything else,” she says. “It was a wonderful way to brush up on all my skills.”

Krysta’s first Broadway role, in Good Vibrations, soon followed. Cast as a swing, she covered nine parts, including two leads, and was the assistant dance captain. Though she was always ready to perform at a moment’s notice, Krysta was experiencing her first Broadway show from the sidelines. “I wasn’t very integrated with the cast or part of a lot of the fun stuff, like press appearances,” she says. “Though I loved performing, it wasn’t the debut I had dreamed of.” The show was not well-received and closed after just three months.

Rebounding

Krysta bounced back two months later when Julie Andrews directed her in the tour of The Boy Friend, a light-hearted show that spoofed the fanciful musicals of the 1920s. “It was the best experience: Julie was everything you wanted her to be—encouraging, positive, hilarious—like Mary Poppins and Maria from The Sound of Music rolled into one,” Krysta says. “Being around her and the show restored why I do this. I was grateful to be back onstage.”

Upon her return to NYC, a reinvigorated Krysta scored a swing/ensemble role in Spring Awakening and had the Broadway debut she’d always dreamed of in a show she adored. Soon after, she took on the part of Bebe in the revival of A Chorus Line.

The rigorous dance training she received under A Chorus Line’s Baayork Lee, who originated the role of Connie and assisted with the show’s revival choreography, was the perfect preparation for Krysta’s next challenge: In The Heights. Andy Blankenbuehler, the show’s choreographer, says he had wanted to work with Krysta ever since he’d met her at an industry event one year earlier. “She exploded as a young personality, injecting energy into the Broadway scene,” he says. At the auditions, she proved his initial impression right. “There comes a time in the auditions when we know we love a person after singing and acting. But can they dance? Finding the person who covers leads and dances in the ensemble is hard,” he explains. “Krysta is that person.”

Krysta’s ability to create character-driven movement also sets her apart. Blankenbuehler says this is one of her best assets. “Krysta dances with character first. It’s not just steps,” he says. “Right from the beginning of rehearsals with her for In the Heights, she danced like she was from Washington Heights. When she covered Vanessa and put on that red dress, her hips swishing everywhere, she transformed again. That’s a Broadway performer.” Now, Krysta’s utilizing these assets in The Addams Family, which opens in previews this month.

With vibrant movement and endless dedication, there’s no doubt the girl who can do it all will continue to be in the spotlight. “There are only a few people with the skill set Krysta has,” Blankenbuehler says. “She’s rare. She has the technical chops to tell the story in three ways, and that’s why people like me will always want her in their shows. She’s magnetic.”

Photos from top: Krysta as Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family by Joan Marcus; Krysta as Bebe in A Chorus Line courtesy Krysta Rodriguez

“The Addams Family” Visits Borders at Columbus Circle

On Friday, May 14th, Borders Columbus Circle will present “The Addams Family: From Page to Stage”. At the event, Sarah Henry, curator of the Charles Addams Exhibit at the Museum of the City of New York, will lead a discussion with The Addams Family creative team members Andrew Lippa (Composery/Lyricist), Rick Elice and Marshall Brickman (Book Writers). Joining them will be Kevin Miserochhi, author of the new collection of Charles Addams drawings entitled “An Evilution”.

The event will begin at 5pm with a discussion of the show’s development, as well as a performance by Tony nominee Kevin Chamberlin, and members of The Addams Family cast.

Wes Taylor and Krysta Rodriguez Sing “Crazier Than You” at Joe’s Pub

Drama Desk 8, Tony 2

With the two measly Tony nominations for Addams Family, the eight Drama Desk nominations look just fine to the producers, I’m sure. I have them listed below.

It’s curious to me how two such well-established awards could have such drastically different outcomes. La Cage Aux Folles led the musicals in Tony noms (11) but actually had one fewer Drama Desk nom than Addams Family.

Anyone care to comment?

Drama Desk Nominations for The Addams Family

Outstanding Musical

Outstanding Actor in a Musical: Nathan Lane

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical: Kevin Chamberlin

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical:  Carolee Carmello,

Outstanding Music: Andrew Lippa

Outstanding Lyrics:  Andrew Lippa

Outstanding Lighting Design: Natasha Katz

Outstanding Set Design: Phelim McDermott, Julian Crouch & Basil Twist

Note: Drama Desk made an executive decision to include Basil Twist’s puppetry under Set Design.

Playbill.com’s Cue & A with Krysta Rodriguez

PLAYBILL.COM’S CUE & A: Krysta Rodriguez

By Ernio Hernandez
13 Apr 2010 

Krysta Rodriguez — currently appearing in the new Broadway musical The Addams Family — fills out Playbill.com’s questionnaire with random facts, backstage trivia and pop culture tidbits.

Full given name:  Krysta Anne Rodriguez

Hometown:  Orange, CA

Zodiac sign:  Leo 

Audition song:  “Hallelujah” (Leonard Cohen, not the “Hallelujah Chorus.” People get confused.) 

First Broadway show ever saw:  Fiddler on the Roof, 1990

If you could go back in time and catch any Broadway show, what would it be?  Original Production of Sweeney Todd

Current show you have been recommending to friends:  Next Fall! Go see it! 

Favorite show tune:  The entire score of Children of Eden, “Losing My Mind” from Follies, “Pulled” from The Addams Family (no joke).

MAC or PC?  I was a firm PC person my entire life, but when the last one crashed, I finally broke down and got the MAC. I’m a full convert.

Last book you read:  “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett. It’s only in hardcover, and it’s 464 pages but it’s totally worth it.

Must-see TV show:  “The Office” (American version). I know this is going to cause controversy, but Steve Carell is so brilliant that I will stand behind it no matter what.

Favorite board game:  Ask anyone who knows me, I’m a MAJOR gamer. Catchphrase, Running Charades, Celebrity, Cranium, all of these are golden.

Pop culture guilty pleasure:  Reality TV. I think you can learn a lot about acting from watching real people in extreme situations. Human behavior is so fascinating when challenged.

First stage kiss:  I was playing Marian in The Music Man in high school, and I had to kiss Harold Hill. It was my first stage kiss and his first kiss ever! We had to choreograph it very specifically so that it didn’t look too awkward.

Favorite post-show meal:  Spicy Chili Chicken Cup o’ Noodles. So classy.

How you got your Equity card:  Playing Helen in Bye Bye Birdie at Encores! One of the most fun experiences and my first New York gig!

Worst onstage mishap:  During our out-of-town Chicago tryout, Wes Taylor (who plays my boyfriend Lucas in The Addams Family) and I were finishing our duet, “Crazier Than You.” Near the end of the song, he’s supposed to run to me and we finish the song and kiss. Before he can start to move to me, the scrim starts coming down in between us! Just as I resign myself to the fact that I’m not only going to finish our love duet alone but also be stranded onstage, Wes dove under the scrim stomach first, narrowly missing being crushed by the scrim and STILL SINGING! He says he felt like a baseball player — I say he looked like Shamu coming up onshore. The best part about it was the audience reaction. They honestly thought it was part of the show but that it was a bad choice. The confused applause was hysterical.

Favorite junk food:  Flaming Hot Cheetos

Who would play you in the movie?  Probably one of the girls from the new “90210.”

TV or commercial gig you most enjoyed:  I did a guest spot on “Gossip Girl,” which was very fun. I made out with Chase Crawford, and I still get middle-aged women who come up to me and ask how it was.

Leading lady role you’ve been dying to play:  Sally Bowles in Cabaret.

Your favorite Halloween costume:  Last year a group of friends from The Addams Family cast, my boyfriend Noah Weisberg and I were the cast from “The Rachael Zoe Project.” I was Rachael, Noah was Roger, Clark Johnson was Taylor, Charlie Sutton was Brad and Samantha Sturm was their sad assistant Jordan. We looked SPECTACULAR. We definitely “shut it down.”