All Entries Tagged With: "Nathan Lane"
The Addams Family Broadway Takes Final Bow
The Addams Family played its final Broadway performance on Sunday, December 31 after 725 performances and 34 previews.
Since beginning previews on March 8 2009, The Addams Family has been seen by more than 748,000 people. Prior to Broadway, The Addams Family played an 8 week engagement at the Oriental Theatre in Chicago, where it grossed more than $12 million, making it the most successful Broadway tryout in Chicago’s history.
The national tour of The Addams Family launched on September 15 at the Mahalia Jackson Theatre for the Performing Arts in New Orleans and is booked in more than 30 cities through 2012.
Get a look back at the production, from Chicago to Broadway and beyond, below!
Photo Credit: Joan Marcus (Broadway, Chicago); Jeremy Daniel (Tour)
The current Broadway cast of The Addams Family starred Brooke Shields as Morticia, Roger Rees as Gomez; Brad Oscar as Fester, Rachel Potter as Wednesday, Jackie Hoffman as Grandma, Zachary James as Lurch, Adam Riegler as Pugsley, Heidi Blickenstaff as Alice Beineke, Adam Grupper as Mal Beineke and Jesse Swenson as Lucas Beineke; the original Broadway cast included Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth as Gomez and Morticia, Terrence Mann as Mal Beineke, Carolee Carmello as Alice Beineke, Kevin Chamberlin as Uncle Fester, Jackie Hoffman as Grandma, Zachary James as Lurch, Adam Riegler as Pugsley, Wesley Taylor as Lucas Beineke and Krysta Rodriguez as Wednesday.
New Arrivals for the Addams Clan
Goodbye, old chums. Nathan Lane and Terrence Mann exit stage left. Photo: Joan Marcus
The Addams Family Blog bids a fond farewell to some very talented Family-ites who helped make the show a smash hit. And we welcome their equally talented replacements, including Tony winner (for … Nicholas Nickleby) Roger Rees as Gomez and Tony nominee (for The Producers) Brad Oscar as Uncle Fester. (Rees comes on board later in March.) Read about the changeover in this excerpt from Playbill—
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Goodbye, Gomez: Nathan Lane Among Addams Family Actors Exiting Broadway Musical March 6
By Kenneth Jones
06 Mar 2011
Goodbye, young lovers. Krysta Rodriguez and Wesley Taylor exit stage right. Photo: Joan Marcus
The mansion of Broadway’s The Addams Family gets de-populated, but not for long, after the March 6 matinee at Broadway’s Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. Nathan Lane, Kevin Chamberlin, Carolee Carmello, Terrence Mann, Krysta Rodriguez and Wesley Taylor leave at the end of their contracts.
Pouring through the door starting on March 8 will be replacements Heidi Blickenstaff (as Alice Beineke, the Carmello role), Adam Grupper (Mal Beineke, created by Mann), The Producers Tony Award nominee Brad Oscar (Fester, created by Chamberlin, who was Tony-nominated for his turn), Rachel Potter (Wednesday, created by Rodriguez) and Jesse Swenson (Lucas Beineke, Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend, created by Taylor).
Merwin Foard, the production’s standby for Lane’s Gomez, will play the patriarch of the macabre clan until Tony Award winner Roger Rees (Nicholas Nickleby, “Cheers,” “The West Wing”) steps into the part on March 22. (Rees is currently co-director of Off-Broadway’s Peter and the Starcatcher, opening March 9.)
Continuing in the roles they originated are Tony winner Bebe Neuwirth as Morticia, Zachary James as Lurch, Adam Riegler as Pugsley Addams and Jackie Hoffman as Grandma.
Nathan Lane to Reprise Role on Modern Family
Actress Sofia Vergara posted the above picture of herself and Nathan Lane on her Twitter account this week to let fans know Mr. Lane was back on the set of the hit ABC comedy Modern Family . He will be reprising his role of Pepper in an episode to air some time in the Spring.
New “FAMILY” Members to Arrive in March
from the BWW News Desk, Friday, February 4, 2011:
Blickenstaff, Grupper, Oscar, Potter & Swenson Join THE ADDAMS FAMILY
Heidi Blickenstaff
Adam Grupper
Brad Oscar
THE ADDAMS FAMILY welcomes five new principal cast members beginning Tuesday, March 8 at the Lunt Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46th Street) when Heidi Blickenstaff ([title of show]) assumes the role of Alice Beineke, Adam Grupper (Brighton Beach Memoirs) as Mal Beineke, Brad Oscar
(Tony-nominated for The Producers) as Fester, Rachel Potter (Wicked nat’l. tour) as Wednesday Addams and Jesse Swenson (Spring Awakening) as Lucas Beineke. Original cast members Nathan Lane, Kevin Chamberlin, Terrence Mann, Carolee Carmello, Krysta Rodriguez and Wesley Taylor will give their final performances on Sunday, March 6.
Rachel Potter
Jesse Swenson
click here to read BWW article
Nathan Lane Visits The Late Show, 1/21/11
The always hilarious Nathan Lane visited David Letterman recently, and shared stories of his holidays, The Addams Family Musical, and an onstage mishap with a bullwhip. ENJOY!
Jackie Hoffman Presents…”Jackie Five-Oh!”
Jackie Hoffman
Jackie Hoffman Has New Tales
The celebrated performer returns to Joe’s Pub to discuss The Addams Family and turning 50 in Jackie Five-Oh!
By: Brian Scott Lipton · Nov 17, 2010
TheaterMania, New York
There are few places in New York where Jackie Hoffman is more comfortable — or more appreciated — than Joe’s Pub, where the award-winning actress will return on Monday, November 22 for a six-week run of her new show Jackie Five-Oh!. “Although it’s f…ing hard work, I do miss doing my own stuff, and I haven’t done an all-new show since 2007, so this is very exciting,” says Hoffman.
Of course, she’s got plenty to talk — and sing — about: most notably her role as Grandma in the hit Broadway musical The Addams Family. Not to mention, she is turning 50 — which will happen on the day of her second show, November 29. ”The worst part of all this is the pressure I feel in planning my own birthday party. But it was too perfect not to do it now.”
Hoffman has actually accomplished a great deal in her first half-century, including numerous memorable turns on Broadway — most notably in the original casts of Hairspray and Xanadu — and in film. But she seems determined to look at the glass as half-empty. “There’s a whole part in the show about how people didn’t recognize me at this bagel store in Long Island; by now, I thought I’d be famous enough to at least be recognized there,” she says in her signature deadpan.
Hoffman as "Grandma" in The Addams Family
Of course, it doesn’t help her “Q Factor” that in The Addams Family, she’s playing a character who looks twice Hoffman’s age. But she’s making the best of it. ”I’ve found room in The Addams Family to ad-lib. Of course, Nathan Lane is a brilliant improviser — and, let’s face it, we’re not doing August: Osage County here. It’s a funny show and both the audience and the other actors appreciate when we mix it up. The show is like a party atmosphere and the audience seems to love it, no matter what the critics said. I do think some of them were over-the-top mean.”
Hoffman actually finds songwriting one of her greatest pleasures. ”I’m singing two songs at Joe’s Pub that I’ve written for the character of Grandma, which will have their world premiere,” she notes. ”I started writing my own songs at Second City and I find lyrics flow out of me easier than jokes do. And I’m so lucky to have my collaborator, Bobby Peaco, who does such an amazing job of having his music serve my lyrics. I don’t think we’ve ever run into a snag getting a song together. And I have to say, we’ll be doing one of the most offensive songs I’ve ever written.”
Hoffman hasn’t fully decided whether she’ll extend her contract in The Addams Family past March. But that doesn’t mean she’s tired of performing. “It’s hard to do these eight-show-a-week gigs,” she notes. “But I will say I’m thrilled to do Joe’s Pub as long as people want me here.”
The Addams Family Musical An Entertaining Afternoon of Theatre
Catherine (me) and Rick Elice
Last weekend was a whirlwind of friends, parties, and great Broadway entertainment! AND I was able to spend some time with my favorite Broadway writer, Rick Elice. Rick is that rare breed of celebrity who is unassuming, humble and completely genuine. He is such a pleasure to know – one would never guess he has two of the top 10 shows currently running on Broadway.
While Saturday was all about Jersey Boys, Sunday was reserved for The Addams Family. I had second row center seats for the matinee – up close and personal - and I was a little bit nervous. There have been mixed reviews, not only from the critics, but from a few of the readers here on the blog, and I didn’t want to go in with any preconceptions about the show. So, I went in with an open mind, and I had a blast!
From the opening number “When You’re An Addams”, to the final curtain, I had a smile on my face and a laugh in my throat. I don’t want to get into a scene by scene analysis – that’s been done to death. I just want to share my thoughts.
Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth were wonderful as Gomez and Morticia, two parents facing what all parents face when they realize that their baby is all grown up and about to leave the nest. Of course, not all parents face it in quite the same way! Bebe was gorgeous! Her flawless skin and deadpan expression were classic Morticia. She danced beautifully, and her “Just Around The Corner” was one of my favorite numbers. Nathan definitely lived up to the hype. His comedic timing is impeccable, and he had the audience in stitches.
Kevin Chamberlin was hilarious as the “moonstruck” Uncle Fester. He really got into his oddball personae, and the audience loved him.
Jackie Hoffman as Grandma was as hysterical as everyone says. Although her role was small, she made the most of each and every line, leaving the audience doubled over in laughter. At one point during “dinner”, she was obviously ad-libbing, talking about running the mara…mara…mara..thon (NY marathon was run that day), and the cast was laughing so hard, Bebe actually had to lay her head on the table so the audience wouldn’t see. Of course, being in the second row, I could see her head shaking!
As the tormented young couple, Wednesday Addams and Lucas Beineke, Krysta Rodriguez and Wesley Taylor were fantastic. They portrayed just the right amount of teenage angst, mixed with a craziness that comes with young love. Krysta’s voice was crystal clear, with a bit of a rock edge to it, and Wesley was a perfect accompaniment. Their “Crazier Than You” was another of my favorites. I’ll be keeping an eye on their careers, I’m betting they go far.
Carollee Carmello and Terrence Mann played Alice and Mal Beineke, Lucas’s “normal” parents from Ohio. If that’s normal, I’d hate to see odd. She with her bright yellow dress and rhyming speech, and he with his tough-guy “I won’t be pushed around” act (until I meet the right squid), were very entertaining, and they played the roles to perfection.
As Lurch, the mostly silent butler, Zachary James was brilliant. And Adam Riegler was terrific as Pugsley. He had a fantastic voice for such a young age, and was very enjoyable to watch. His sadness at realizing his sister was growing up and wouldn’t be around to “play” with him much longer was very touching.
And last, but certainly by no means least, the Ancestors were all superb. Each one had his/her own personality, they danced beautifully, and the way they were utilized onstage was ingenious.
On the top of my list of ”high points” has to be the set design. Congratulations to Julian Crouch and Phelim McDermott for a tremendous job! Basil Twist’s puppetry was also spectacular, adding a layer of creativity not seen in many shows. And, as usual, Rick Elice and Marshall Brickman wrote a great story, with a perfect mix of humor, seriousness, and Charles Addams absurdity.
“Just Around The Corner” and ”Crazier Than You” were my favorite musical numbers, with “When You’re An Addams” and the tango scene following close behind. Gomez had two ballady numbers that dragged a bit (for me), but Nathan performed them beautifully. And Uncle Fester and the moon, and Mal Beineke and the squid were a bit over the top, but hey, this is the Addams Family - they are over the top!
Please bear with me while I vent….I know this is a family friendly show, and yes, they sell candy at the concession stand, but people, this is a high dollar Broadway show, not a movie theater. Please have the courtesy to NOT open loud candy wrappers, slurp noisily on lollipops, or rifle through your shopping bags in the middle of the performance (yes, I experienced all of this within two rows of me, and the perpetrators were all adults.) This is not only rude to your fellow audience members, but most especially to the cast.
I would like to say a huge thank you to the entire Addams Family ‘family’ for an exciting and entertaining afternoon of theatre!
Replacement Named for Nathan Lane in The Addams Family Musical
Well, it’s been discussed at length here on the Addams Family Blog….who will replace Nathan Lane when his contract expires in March? Readers weighed in, with suggestions all over the place - from Danny DeVito to Antonio Banderas. But the guessing game is over, for it has been announced that Tony winner Roger Rees will take over the role of Gomez Addams on March 22, 2011. And to add to this piece of good news, it has also been announced that Bebe Neuwirth will continue in her role as Morticia into the summer months. Congratulations to Mr. Rees, and to the entire cast of The Addams Family!
Mr. Rees, who is recognizable from many venues – he won a Tony Award for best actor in 1982 for the play “The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickelby”…he played the Sheriff of Rottingham in Mel Brooks’ 1993 film, “Robin Hood: Men in Tights”…he appeared in “The West Wing” from 2000-2005 as Lord John Marbury – is no stranger to The Addams Family family. He is currently working with Rick Elice, co-directing Elice’s Peter and the Starcatchers as part of the New York Theatre Workshop’s 2010-2011 season. And Mr. Rees is close friends with Bebe Neuwirth. The two are perhaps best known for their overlapping work on the NBC series “Cheers.” Mr. Rees was a frequent guest star on “Cheers” as Robin Colcord, a British playboy and love interest of bar manager Rebecca Howe, played by Kirstie Alley; Ms. Neuwirth played the chilly psychiatrist Lilith Crane on the show.
Nathan Lane fans, rest assured your favorite Gomez will continue in his role until March 6, giving you plenty of time to get yourself to the theatre! After Mr. Lane’s final show, understudies will play Gomez opposite Ms. Neuwirth until Mr. Rees joins the show on March 22.
Nathan Lane and Kevin Chamberlin Eyeing New Roles?
NATHAN LANE MAY PLAY ‘THE NANCE’
By PATRICK HEALY, The NY Times Art Beat
October 5, 2010, 11:00 am
What’s next for Nathan Lane, after his Broadway run in “The Addams Family” ends in the spring? Mr. Lane is considering Douglas Carter Beane’s new play, “The Nance,” about a performer who played the role of the nance in burlesque shows in the early-20th century.
Nance, or nancy boy, is disparaging slang for an effeminate or homosexual man, and nances were popular theatrical figures, akin to blackface performers, during the 1920s and ’30s. Mr. Beane, in a telephone interview, said he held a reading of the play in his living room about a month ago with Mr. Lane, Benjamin Walker (“Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson”), Daphne Rubin-Vega (“Rent”) and Kevin Chamberlin (“The Addams Family”), and that he was hoping to do a reading guided by a director at Lincoln Center Theater this season.
“Nathan is certainly interested, and was excited about the role,” said Mr. Beane, a Tony Award nominee for “The Little Dog Laughed” whose plays also include “Mr. & Mrs. Fitch” and “As Bees in Honey Drown.” “I’m hopeful. I think it’s the best thing I’ve ever done, in a weird way, considering it’s my first real period piece.”
Andre Bishop, artistic director of Lincoln Center Theater, said he was “very interested in producing ‘The Nance’ but nothing is firmed up yet in terms of where and when.” He added that Mr. Lane was interested in portraying the main character, who plays the nance in shows at the Irving, a downtown theater, during the era when Mayor Fiorello La Guardia was moving to ban burlesque in New York City.
Asked what about “The Nance” interested him, Mr. Bishop said: “The play has lots of hilarious old routines in it with lots of innuendo and double-entendres. But the play is also painful, as times and moral judgments changed. I think it is wonderful.”
Mr. Lane did not reply to two days of inquiries relayed by his publicist, Simon Halls. But Mr. Halls confirmed that Mr. Lane “loves the play and is excited by the prospect of doing it.”
Don’t Miss Nathan on “Modern Family”
Don’t miss Nathan Lane as “Pepper” on Modern Family – Wednesday, October 6 at 9:00 (EST) on ABC!!!
Who Would Be YOUR Picks For Gomez and Morticia Replacements?
According to several news sources, producers of The Addams Family are actively searching for replacements for Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth, whose contracts expire in March, 2011. Although (according to the NY Times) star actors were deliberately played down in the show’s advertising – emphasizing instead the famous Addams brand – which would make it easier for actors to “slide” into the lead roles, after the recent hit the box office took when Lane was out on vacation, it would seem they are searching for recognizable names to fill the Gomez and Morticia costumes.
It is rumored that John Leguizamo and Minnie Driver, who would have fit the bill quite nicely, both turned down offers, with no specific reasons given. So the search continues.
Who would YOU pick to replace Bebe and Nathan? Let’s hear it from the fans!
Nathan Lane Entertains Ladies of “The View”
In case you missed Nathan’s visit to “The View” on September 22, 2010:
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.
Nathan Lane on the set of Modern Family
Eric Stonestreet tweeted this picture of him and Jesse Tyler Ferguson on the set of Modern Family with guest star Nathan Lane.
Nathan Lane To Perform At The White House
Monday, July 19th – The President and First Lady will continue the White House music series celebrating the arts and demonstrating the importance of arts education by featuring Broadway music and its prestigious performers.
The Tony-winning performers are actor-singers Nathan Lane (two Tonys), Audra McDonald (four Tonys), Idina Menzel, Tonya Pinkins and Karen Olivo (one each, for “Wicked,” “Jelly’s Last Jam” and “West Side Story,” respectively), and pianist Marvin Hamlisch, a Tony winner for his score to “A Chorus Line.” Working behind the scenes is Jerry Mitchell, Tony-winning choreographer (for the 2004 revival of “La Cage aux Folles”), who will guide 20 Washington, D.C., dance students in a segment from “Hairspray,” another show he choreographed.
Also performing are Brian d’Arcy James (”Shrek: The Musical”), Chad Kimball (”Memphis”) and Assata Alston, a 12-year-old from Queens, N.Y., who recently debuted at Jazz at Lincoln Center.
The White House announced Friday that Elaine Stritch and “Hairspray” veterans Danielle Arci and Constantine Rousouli have been added to the show; Stritch is a Tony winner (for her one-woman show, “Elaine Stritch at Liberty”), bringing the ensemble’s collective career Tony haul to 12).
Presumably, critics who slammed the president and first lady last year for wasting taxpayer money when they flew to New York for dinner and a Broadway show (August Wilson’s drama “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone”) won’t complain about Broadway coming to them. Obama-watchers can catch the president’s show-opening remarks live on Monday at 4 p.m. Pacific on the Internet at www.whitehouse.gov, but the public will have to wait until October for the performances, which will be taped for broadcast Oct. 20 as an installment in the PBS series, “In Performance at the White House.”
