LA Times Follows ADDAMS FAMILY from Concept to Broadway

Los Angeles Times writer Chris Jones has recently taken a look at THE ADDAMS FAMILY's progression from conception to Broadway, specifically focusing on the troubles the show faced due to media and audience backlash over everything from character changes to cast rumors.

Jones specifically looked at the problems that faced designer/directors Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch. The two directors, new to Broadway, had to use characters with predefined personalities to shape the show into something new. "It's like doing a commedia show, where you have a lot of stock characters," Crouch said of the Addams characters.

After a rough run in Chicago, plagued with critical reviews, the shows producer, Stuart Oken, had to retool the show in a way that would allow it to succeed on the Great White Way. "We are going to focus on the opening," Oken said, noting that audiences wanted to be introduced to the well-known characters from the outset. Oken eventually had composer Andrew Lippa pen several new songs and brought in Broadway veteran Jerry Zaks to act as a creative consultant.

To read the full article from the LA Time, click here.

Starring two-time Tony Award winners Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth as Gomez and Morticia, The Addams Family also features two-time Tony Award nominee Terrence Mann as Mal Beineke, two-time Tony Award nominee Carolee Carmello as Alice Beineke, two-time Tony Award nominee Kevin Chamberlin as Uncle Fester, Jackie Hoffman as Grandma, Zachary James as Lurch, Krysta Rodriguez as Wednesday, and Adam Riegler as Pugsley.

The Addams Family features an original story in which the Addams house is turned upside down when they are forced to host a dinner for Wednesday's new love interest and his parents. For tickets to and more information on The Addams Family, visit www.theaddamsfamilymusical.com.

Photo credit: Joan Marcus