Tony Award® winners
Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth 
put on a fresh new 
THE  ADDAMS  FAMILY
on Broadway last night.
 
It was the official Pre-Broadway World Premiere last night in Chicago at the Ford Center Oriental Theatre. The show runs thru January 10th then heads to New York City at the Lunt-Fintanne Theatre in March.

It’s an Addams Family portrait slightly different than the television  and movie versions.  So at times, it is difficult to grasp the new Gomez and the new and changed Pugsley. John Astin was a brilliant Gomez! And Raul Julia was  suave and romantic. Nathan Lane – is Nathan Lane – as Gomez. It’s not  necessarily a bad thing – just different than what you would expect.

Gomez, is still all mad impetuosity, Bebe Neuwirth is a convincing Morticia, equal parts fire and ice, eye-popping Uncle Fester (Kevin Chamberlain), is  entertaining, restless and romantic, the crazy Grandma (Jackie Hoffman) is brilliantly funny  and underused, Pugsley the little brother is still Pugsley  and Wednesday, who is now eighteen years old and finally feeling what it means to be a woman, really brings something different to the character and the story.  It’s a  family that’s quite shockingly, and endearingly dysfunctional, probably  just like yours!

 

The last time Nathan Lane was similarly in Chicago – for the pre-broadway  premiere of Mel Brooks’   The Producers – the show quickly turned into international gold, so hopes are high for  The Addams Family. 



It’s important to remember, that this original musical by Tony-nominated librettists Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice (Jersey Boys) and Drama Desk Award winner Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party) is not based on past Addams Family properties, but uses characters created by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams. The Addams illustrations inspired a TV sitcom, a TV cartoon series and two live-action feature film comedies.

I grew up with  the TV show – and I adored Raul Julia, Angelica Houston, Christopher Lloyd and Christina Ricci in the film versions! Just go with an open mind, knowing it will be different.  It’s the Addams Family – Meets  Broadway.

I think in New York, the 1,400-seat Lint-Fintanne will be much better suited for the show and it’s wonderful stage – as oppposed to the much larger 2,400-seat Oriental Theatre here in Chicago. 
I LOVE the Oriental Theatre! But the intimacy of being in the Addams house, is sometimes lost, especially for those further back from the stage. The staging and set itself is gorgeous and costumes and lighting are all great.


Ticket prices are $28 to $105


Ford Oriental Theatre   
24 W. Randolph
Chicago 60601



Broadway In Chicago Ticketline
at (800) 775-2000.