The Addams Family: Nathan Lane & Bebe Neuwirth to star as 'Gomez' & 'Morticia' in new musical

Two-time Tony Award winners Nathan Lane (The Producers, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum) and Bebe Neuwirth (Chicago, Sweet Charity) will star as 'Gomez' and 'Morticia' in The Addams Family, a new musical based on the bizarre and beloved family of characters created by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams.

Produced by Stuart Oken, Roy Furman, Michael Leavitt and Five Cent Productions, by special arrangement with Elephant Eye Theatrical, The Addams Family will open on Broadway on 8 Apr 2010 at a Nederlander theatre to be announced. Previews will begin 4 Mar 2010 following a pre-Broadway engagement at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre in Chicago that begins 13 Nov 2009.

Joining Lane and Neuwirth in the cast of The Addams Family are two-time Tony Award nominee Terrence Mann (Beauty and the Beast, Les Miserables) as 'Mal Beineke,' two-time Tony Award nominee Carolee Carmello (Parade, Lestat) as 'Alice Beineke,' two-time Tony Award nominee, Kevin Chamberlin (Seussical, Dirty Blonde) as 'Uncle Fester,' Jackie Hoffman (Hairspray, Xanadu) as 'Grandmama,' Zachary James (South Pacific) as 'Lurch,' Adam Riegler as 'Pugsley,' Wesley Taylor (Rock of Ages) as 'Lucas Beineke' and Krysta Rodriguez (In the Heights) as Wednesday.

Storm clouds are gathering over The Addams Family manse. Daughter Wednesday, now 18, is experiencing a sensation that surprises and disgusts her � caring about another person. Young Pugsley, jealous of his sister's attention, begs her to keep torturing him, severely, while mother Morticia, conflicted over her daughter�s lurch into womanhood, fears being upstaged and discarded�. like yesterday�s road kill. All the while, father Gomez � master of the revels, mischievous and oblivious as ever � would prefer everything and everyone remain as it is. But when outsiders come to dinner, the events of one night will change forever this famously macabre family � a family so very different from your own...or maybe not.

The Addams Family will feature an original book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice (librettists of the 2006 Tony Award-winning Best Musical, Jersey Boys), music and lyrics by composer/lyricist Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party), direction and design by Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch (Shockheaded Peter, the Metropolitan Opera�s recent acclaimed production of Philip Glass�s Satyagraha) and choreography by Sergio Trujillo (Next to Normal, Jersey Boys.)

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 characters that came to be known as The Addams Family that brought Addams his greatest acclaim. With a unique style that combined the twisted, macabre and just plain weird with charm, wit and enchantment, Addams� drawings of Gomez, Morticia, Fester, Wednesday, Pugsley, Grandmama, Lurch and Thing have entertained millions worldwide and served as the inspiration for multiple television series and motion pictures.

Biographies:

Nathan Lane (Gomez) won Tony Awards for 'The Producers' (Max Bialystock: 2001) and 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum' (Prologus/Pseudolus: 1996 revival) and was nominated for a Tony for 'Guys and Dolls' (Nathan Detroit: 1992). He is currently appearing on Broadway starring in 'Waiting for Godot.' In 1992 he won an Obie Award for Sustained Excellence. He has received five Emmy nominations, of which he won two for 'Teacher's Pet' and 'Timon and Pumbaa.' Gilm's include 'The Producers,' 'The Birdcage' and 'Jeffrey.'

Bebe Neuwirth (Morticia) most recently appeared on Broadway as 'Roxie' in 'Chicago,' the same production for which she won a Tony Award and an Astaire Award for her turn as 'Velma.' She also received a Tony Award for her role as 'Nickie' in 'Sweet Charity' (1986 revival) Her other Broadway credits include 'Fosse' (replacement: 1999) 'Damn Yankees' (Lola: 1994 revival) 'Dancin� (replacement: 1978)' 'Little Me' (Boom Boom Girl: 1982 revival) and 'A Chorus Line' (Sheila - replacement: 1975.) Neuwirth�s work in film includes 'Liberty Heights,' 'Summer of Sam,' 'Celebrity' among others. On television she is well known for her role of 'Lilith Sternin' on 'Cheers,' for which she won two Emmy Awards. Other television appearances include her Emmy nominated portrayal of 'Dorothy Parker' in �Dash and Lily� and guest work on �Frasier� and �Star Trek, the Next Generation.�

Terrence Mann (Mal Beineke) was nominated for a Tony when he originated the role on Broadway of the 'Beast' in 'Beauty and the Beast' (1994) and was also nominated for a Tony when he originated the role of 'Javert' in (Les Mis�rables: 1987). Other Broadway credits include Lennon (Ensemble: 2005), 'The Rocky Horror Show' (Frank 'N' Furter: 2000 revival), 'Getting Away With Murder' (Greg: 1996), 'Cats' (Rum Tum Tugger: 1982) and 'Barnum' (multiple: 1980) amongst others. He can currently be seen as 'Bob' on the Sci-Fi Channel�s series 'The Dresden Files.'

Carolee Carmello (Alice Beineke) is currently starring on Broadway as 'Donna' in 'Mamma Mia!' She was nominated for Tony's for 'Lestat' (Gabrielle: 2006) and 'Parade' (Lucille Frank: 1998). Other Broadway roles include 'Urinetown' (Penelope Pennywise - replacement: 2001), 'Kiss Me, Kate' (Lilli Vanessi/Katharine - Replacement: 1999 revival) amongst others.

Kevin Chamberlin (Uncle Fester) has received two Tony nominations, the first for 'Seussical' (Horton the Elephant: 2000) and the second for 'Dirty Blonde' (Charlie: 2000). His other Broadway credits are 'The Ritz' (Gaetano Proclo: 2007 revival), 'Triumph of Love' (Dimas: 1997), 'Chicago' (Amos Hart - replacement), 'Abe Lincoln in Illinois' (Multiple: 1993 revival) and 'My Favorite Year' (ensemble: 1992).

Jackie Hoffman (Grandmama) has appeared on Broadway in 'Xanadu' (Calliope/Aphrodite: 2007) and Hairspray (mulitple: 2002). Solo shows: Scraping the Bottom, Jackie with a Z, Chanukah at Joe�s Pub (Bistro Award), The Kvetching Continues (Time Out New York�s Outstanding Achievement Award).

Zachary James (Lurch) has previously appeared on Broadway in 'Coram Boy' (Choir: 2007) and 'South Pacific' (Seaman Thomas Hassinger) at Lincoln Center.

Adam Riegler (Pugsley) Adam Riegler is currently making his Broadway debut playing the roles of 'Young Shrek' and 'Grumpy' in the original Broadway cast of 'Shrek the Musical.'

Wesley Taylor (Lucas Beineke) is currently making his Broadway debut playing 'Franz' in 'Rock of Ages'

Krysta Rodriguez (Wednesday) has appeared on Broadway in 'In The Heights' (multiple: 2008), 'Spring Awakening' (Ensemble: 2006), the revival of 'A Chorus Line' (Bebe - replacement: 2006) and 'Good Vibrations '(swing: 2005).

Charles Addams (Creator/Cartoonist). Born in Westfield, New Jersey in 1912, Charles Samuel Addams� prodigal artistic talent led him to become one of America�s most loved cartoonists. In 1933, at just 21 years of age, The New Yorker first published his work. Addams went on to become one of that magazine�s marquee contributors until his death in 1988. His body of work spans almost 60 years of output and is estimated to contain several thousand works. Over 15 books of his drawings have been published so far, appearing in many languages across the globe. Addams� works appear in a number of prestigious permanent collections including The New York Public Library, The Museum of the City of New York and The Library of Congress.

Marshall Brickman (Book) co-wrote 'Jersey Boys' (2006 Tony Award, Best Musical) with Rick Elice, now in its fourth year on Broadway. Also with Elice, 'Turn of the Century,' directed by Tommy Tune, at the Goodman Theatre. His film work as author or co-author include 'Annie Hall' (Academy Award), 'Sleeper,' 'Manhattan, Manhattan Murder Mystery' and as writer/director 'Simon,' 'Lovesick,' 'The Manhattan Project' and 'Sister Mary Explains it All.'

Rick Elice (Book) co-wrote 'Jersey Boys' (2006 Tony Award, 2009 Olivier Award/Best Musical) with Marshall Brickman, directed by Des McAnuff, now in its fourth year on Broadway. Also with Marshall Brickman, 'Turn of the Century,' directed by Tommy Tune, at the Goodman Theatre. His play, 'Peter and the Starcatchers,' based on the popular novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, recently premiered at La Jolla Playhouse, directed by Roger Rees and Alex Timbers. Since 2000, he has served as creative consultant for The Walt Disney Studio.

Andrew Lippa (Music and Lyrics) wrote the book, music and lyrics for the Manhattan Theatre Club production of 'The Wild Party,' for which he received a Drama Desk Award. He recently composed the music for the Broadway production of Aaron Sorkin�s 'The Farnsworth Invention' (2007.) On Broadway he was also represented by the revival of 'You�re a Good Man, Charlie Brown' (1999 revivl) for which he wrote three new songs. He is currently writing the music and lyrics for a new musical based on Jules Feiffer�s 'The Man In The Ceiling' which is being produced by Disney Theatrical for Broadway.

Phelim Mcdermott (Direction and Design). With Julian Crouch, he recently directed and designed the production of Philip Glass's 'Satyagraha,' in collaboration with the English National Opera and the Metropolitan Opera. As co-founder of London�s Improbable Theatre, he also collaborated with Crouch on the award-winning 'Shockheaded Peter,' which played London�s West End, the Little Shubert Off-Broadway and around the world.

Julian Crouch (Direction and Design) With Phelim McDermott, he recently directed and designed the production of Philip Glass's 'Satyagraha,' in collaboration with the English National Opera and the Metropolitan Opera. As co-founder of London�s Improbable Theatre, he also collaborated with McDermott on the award-winning 'Shockheaded Peter,' which played London�s West End, the Little Shubert Off-Broadway and around the world.

Sergio Trujillo (Choreography). Broadway: 'Next to Normal,' 'Jersey Boys' (Olivier nomination); 'Guys and Dolls,' 'All Shook Up' (2005).

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