Blickenstaff, Grupper, Oscar, Potter & Swenson Join THE ADDAMS FAMILY

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.

As previously announced, Tony Award winner Roger Rees steps into the role of Gomez Addams, joining his longtime friend and colleague, Tony Award winner Bebe Neuwirth, who continues in the role of Morticia Addams. Also continuing in the roles they originated are Zachary James as Lurch, Adam Riegler as Pugsley Addams and Jackie Hoffman as Grandma.

Based on the bizarre and beloved family of characters created by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams, THE ADDAMS FAMILY features a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa. The production is directed and designed (sets and costumes) by Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch, with creative consultation by Jerry Zaks and choreography by Sergio Trujillo. Lighting design is by Natasha Katz, sound design is by ACME Sound Partners and puppetry is by Basil Twist.

THE ADDAMS FAMILY opened on Broadway on April 8, 2010. A national touring company will premiere in New Orleans in September of this year. Several international productions are planned and will be announced shortly.

THE ADDAMS FAMILY is produced on Broadway by Stuart Oken, Roy Furman, Michael Leavitt, Five Cent Prods., Stephen Schuler, Decca Theatricals, Scott M. Delman, Stuart Ditsky, Terry Allen Kramer, Stephanie P. McClelland, James L. Nederlander, Eva Price, JAM Theatricals/Mary Lu Roffe, Pittsburgh CLO/Gutterman-Swinsky, Vivek Tiwary/Gary Kaplan, The Weinstein Co./Clarence, LLC and Adam Zotovich/Tribe Theatricals, by special arrangement with Elephant Eye Theatrical.

CAST BIOS

Heidi Blickenstaff (Alice Beineke). On Broadway, Heidi was a part of the original collaborative team of the Tony nominated [title of show]. Also on Broadway: The Little Mermaid (Ursula), The Full Monty. Off-Broadway: And Now This Is Happening and [title of show] at the Vineyard Theatre, Mosiac (Ruth) at Primary Stages. Regional productions include First You Dream: The Music of Kander and Ebb at Signature Theatre, Meet John Doe (Ann Mitchell) at Ford's Theatre (Helen Hayes Award). Heidi has performed in concert at Carnegie Hall, Feinstein‘s, Merkin Hall and Joe's Pub. Tours: The Full Monty, Jekyll & Hyde, Steel Pier, The Who's Tommy.

Adam Grupper (Mal Beineke). Broadway: Brighton Beach Memoirs, La Boheme, 45 Seconds From Broadway, The Wild Party, Guys and Dolls, The Secret Garden, City of Angels, Into The Woods. Film: Pippa Lee, Music and Lyrics, Two Weeks Notice. TV: "Onion SportsDome," all "Law & Orders," "Ugly Betty," "Fringe," "The Sopranos." Adam is an award-winning audio book narrator, a graduate of Yale University and a consultant offering theater-based training and coaching through his company, Act Professional (www.actprof.com).

Brad Oscar ( Fester) received a 2001 Tony nomination as Franz Liebkind in The Producers and later went on to play the role of Max Bialystock over 1200 times on Broadway, on tour and in London's West End. Other Broadway: Spamalot, Jekyll & Hyde, Aspects of Love. Nat'l tour: Young Frankenstein, Jekyll & Hyde. Off-B'way: Forbidden Broadway, The Body Beautiful, Encores! Bells Are Ringing, Do Re Mi, directed and performed in Broadway by the Year 1931 and 1968 at Town Hall. Regional: Barnum (Asolo Rep/Maltz Jupiter; Carbonell Award, Best Actor in a Musical); The Mystery of Irma Vep, Cabaret, Damn Yankees (Arena Stage); The First Wives Club (Old Globe); Moonlight and Magnolias (Cape Playhouse). Film: Ghost Town, The Producers. TV: three "Law & Orders."

Rachel Potter (Wednesday Addams) is thrilled to be making her Broadway debut with The Addams Family! Credits include: Wicked national tour (Glinda u/s), MTV's Legally Blonde: The Search for Elle Woods, The Wild Party (Sally), High School Musical (Sharpay), Walt Disney World (Nemo, Ariel, Belle). Rachel is an avid songwriter and aspiring country singer. rachelpottermusic.com

Jesse Swenson (Lucas Beineke). Broadway: Spring Awakening. Off-Broadway: Veritas. Readings/ workshops: Rocket Science, Freckleface Strawberry, Clueless, Poserville. TV: "Gossip Girl," "Army Wives," "Mercy." Training: The Boston Conservatory.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/WM Photos