THE ADDAMS FAMILY, Starring Rachel de Benedet and David Engel, Creeps Into Ogunquit Playhouse, Now thru 10/26

"They're creepy and they're kooky, mysterious and spooky, they're altogether ooky!" The Broadway musical sensation The Addams Family is on stage at the Ogunquit Playhouse today, October 1 through 26. Broadway's Rachel de Benedet and David Engel star in this musical comedy that brings the beloved and bizarre first family of comedy to life, complete with show-stopping musical numbers, the Broadway set and costumes by Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch and puppets by the "inestimable" Basil Twist.

From the creators of the Jersey Boys' Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice and Drama Desk Award-winning composer/lyricist Andrew Lippa, the frightfully delightful world of Gomez, Morticia, Uncle Fester, Grandma, Wednesday, Pugsley and Lurch come to spectacular life in this all new story, based on the characters created by cartoonist Charles Addams. The magnificently morbid family is put to the test when outsiders come to dinner, hurling them into a night that will change their lives forever.

In a prolific career spanning six decades, Charles Addams created several thousand cartoons, sketches and drawings, many of which were published in The New Yorker. But it was his creation of The Addams Family characters that brought him his greatest acclaim. His unique drawings combined the twisted, macabre and just plain weird with charm, wit and enchantment. They have entertained millions worldwide and served as the inspiration for multiple television series, motion pictures and, now, a new stage musical.

Morticia will be played by award-winning actress Rachel de Benedet who returns to the Ogunquit Playhouse to reprise the role she played on Broadway opposite Nathan Lane. She last appeared on the Ogunquit stage as Anna in The King and I with Lorenzo Lamas. Ms. de Benedet has starred in many Broadway shows including Catch Me if You Can, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Nine starring Antonio Banderas and The Sound of Music. Her National Tours include Camelot as Guenevere opposite Lou Diamond Phillips and The Sound of Music as Elsa "The Baroness" opposite Richard Chamberlain, for which she won a Judy Award.

David Engel makes his Ogunquit Playhouse debut as Gomez after recently performing opposite Leslie Caron in the two-hander Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks at California's renowned Laguna Playhouse. On Broadway Mr. Engel starred in Putting it Together, Seussical: The Musical and the original production of La Cage aux Folles. He also created the role of Smudge in the original New York production of Forever Plaid, and again in Plaid Tidings and Forever Plaid: The Movie. In addition he was paired romantically opposite RuPaul in the award-winning cult musical short film Zombie Prom.

Appearing as the parents of Wednesday's love interest, Mal and Alice Beineke, are Larry Cahn and Laurie Wells. Mr. Cahn has appeared on Broadway in The Graduate, Guys & Dolls, Epic Proportions, Anything Goes and The Music Man. His National Tour credits include Ragtime, Lend Me A Tenor, and Elf. His many television appearances include The West Wing, Grey's Anatomy, Law and Order, The Young and the Restless, and Another World. Ms. Wells appeared on Broadway and in the National Tour of the smash hit Mamma Mia! as well as the National Tour of Swing! She has appeared Off Broadway and in many regional theatres in City of Angels, 42nd Street, Ragtime, and My Fair Lady.

Jennifer Fogarty returns to the Ogunquit Playhouse to reprise her role as Wednesday after most recently appearing as Wednesday Addams on the International Tour of The Addams Family. She has performed on the Ogunquit Playhouse stage in The Sound of Music, All Shook Up, Pinkalicious and Disney's High School Musical. Shaun Rice will reprise his role from the International Tour as Fester. He has also appeared in the National Tours of How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Gilligan's Island the Musical. Also reprising their roles from the National and International Tours are Bryan Welnicki as Lucas Beineke and Amanda Bruton as Grandma. Matthew Quinn makes his Ogunquit Playhouse debut as Lurch.

Director/Choreographer for the Ogunquit production of the Addams Family is Keith Andrews. Mr. Andrews has directed and choreographed several shows for the Ogunquit Playhouse including, The Full Monty with Sally Struthers and Hunter Foster in 2007, Avenue Q in 2011, and 9 to 5 the Musical with Sally Struthers and Becky Gulsvig. His many stage credits include directing the National Tours of The Full Monty and Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh as well as regional productions of Young Frankenstein, The Drowsy Chaperone, The 25th Annual... Spelling Bee, Always... Patsy Cline, Dames at Sea, Breaking Up is Hard to Do, Barnum, Pump Boys and Dinettes, Little Shop of Horrors, The Pirates of Penzance, Big River, and Forever Plaid. As a choreographer, Keith has recently worked on The Gig at the New York Musical Theater Festival, and the world premiere of Love, Incorporated. He received an Innovative Theater Award for Best Production of a Musical and nomination for Best Choreography for his work on the show Like You Like It.

Music Director for the Ogunquit production is Nolan Bonvouloir who recently worked as the Music Director on the National Tour of The Addams Family. His other National Tours include Rock of Ages, Monty Python's Spamalot and Altar Boyz.

Tickets for The Addams Family are on sale now. Performances are Tuesday through Sunday. Single ticket prices start at $39 per show. To learn more about becoming an Ogunquit Playhouse member or season subscriber, or to purchase tickets and gift certificates, visit www.ogunquitplayhouse.org or call the Box Office at 207-646-5511.

About the Ogunquit Playhouse: The Ogunquit Playhouse is America's Foremost Summer Theatre, a 501c3 not-for-profit organization, producing the finest Broadway musicals each season, with performances Tuesday through Sunday, from mid-May to October 26. Follow the Ogunquit Playhouse on Twitter (@OgunquitPH) and become our fan on Facebook (facebook.com/OgunquitPlayhouse) for behind-the-scenes info, photos and fun throughout the season. For a complete list of show times, pricing and more information about the season visit www.ogunquitplayhouse.org.

Pictured: Rachel de Benedet and David Engel star as Morticia and Gomez Addams in the Ogunquit Playhouse production of the Broadway musical sensation The Addams Family, on stage October 2 to 26. Also pictured are Shaun Rice (Fester), Jennifer Fogarty (Wendy), Amanda Bruton (Grandma) and Matthew Quinn (Lurch). Photo courtesy of Gateway Playhouse.

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