Riedel: Flaws run in the 'Family'

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 1:54pm

I am surprised no one posted this yet.
They are going to do some re-writes for Broadway. Someone on ATC took this as Neuwirth could possibly be replaced, but I don't see that happening.

http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/theater/flaws_run_in_the_family_XGHzKrQcYETKBYuu3XSMzH

[adamgreer]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 1:56pm

Sounds like they took the mostly constructive criticism they received to heart and no what they need to work on.

I'm still excited for this.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 2:01pm

First off:

But she's not a strong presence in the show, and her dramatic crisis ("I'm getting old") makes no sense since Morticia is a vampire: Unless they're caught in the sun, vampires don't have to worry about crow's feet.

The Addams' aren't monsters...they're just eccentrics. Morticia is not a Vampire...that would be Lily Munster.

Secondly, if Bebe is replaced I will be deeply saddened.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 2:06pm

Perhaps drastic - or at least well considered - changes can help the show. It seems so many shows that still do out of town tryouts forget what the purpose of the tryout is.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 2:24pm

They never recast Big Name leads between tryouts and Broadway anymore. Producers would rather send a half-assed show to Broadway than risk losing a name on the marquee.

Updated On: 12/11/09 at 02:24 PM

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 2:26pm

Sorry, I know I'm a bitch, but it's Addamses, huskcharmer, not Addams'. I know they sound the same, but the first is the plural form of a family named Addams and the second is a possessive. You're describing something belonging to a person named Addams with the second one. I just can't help it with grammar lately.

That said, I really doubt they'd actually replace Neuwirth. She's still a big draw, no?

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 2:27pm

^ Not true. Daniel Breaker was brought in as Donkey for Shrek. Joel Grey was brought in as The Wizard in Wicked.

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 2:27pm

Right, but neither person they replaced was a name.

[averagebwaynut]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 2:28pm

Wow...that's a heck of a generalization. Compels me to ask: examples please?

Specifically, what recent star-driven (since you referenced marquee names) productions played pre-Broadway tryouts that should have re-cast prior to coming into Broadway? I'm not saying there aren't examples, but no terribly blatant ones come to mind recently...

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 2:33pm

Shbrt-
Ah, my bad on the grammar (just saw the post, apparently we replied at the same time.)

And while they may not be names, the statement that they don't replace leads was inaccurate. And Robert Morse is at least a theatre name.

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 2:38pm

I think orangeskittles may have meant "name" leads, though of course I could be wrong.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 2:41pm

^ They probably did, but since they weren't specific, I had to respond.

And regardless of all that, Morticia is not a vampire.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 2:47pm

I did mean that, it took me 10 minutes to figure out how to edit my post on BWW mobile. I didn't mean it as a slight to Bebe Neuwirth (I haven't seen the show) but just expressing doubt that she would be replaced.

[Kad]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 2:49pm

From what I gather from reviews and comments from those who have seen the show, the problem with Morticia doesn't at all lie with Neuwirth. I doubt she'll replaced.

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 3:07pm

I mean, she's a really good actress and I'm sure she'd be able to take great material and make it soar. I would guess the fault is with the writing.

[trombonist]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 4:41pm

Yeah. The way I read that section, it sounds like she wants to figure out what the writers, etc. want, but they're not being helpful to her. Not that she can't do the part or is bad in it, but that what they want isn't coming across clearly.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 7:59pm

I'm SO excited to see this.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 10:34pm

At least the producers and the creavite team are listening, unlike the last few shows that have had luke warm reviews out of town and have opened and closed with no major changes.

Can't wait to see this in August next year.

[strummergirl]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 10:48pm

Robert Morse was not a name? Surely you jest.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 11:07pm

I really can't see Bebe being replaced. Especially now with the marques up with Bebe's(& Nathan's) name on them. Can't wait to see this in March!!!

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 11:18pm

The only way I could see Bebe being replaced is if it's with another name.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 12/12/09 at 12:22am

strummer-
Sadly, compared to Joel Grey (Oscar and Tony Winner), he isn't.

[strummergirl]

Posted: 12/12/09 at 12:28am

Well Morse has an Emmy and a Tony in both musical and play. I was thinking strictly Broadway. I consider them equals though The Emcee is a legendary character at this point though How To Succeed In Business... is nothing to scoff at. I guess I watch too much Mad Men with Morse as Bert Cooper.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 12/12/09 at 1:18am

^ Mad Men started in 2006. Wicked started in 2003. He had almost no Film/TV Credits prior to that point. (Yes, that is exaggeration, but no long run on a sitcom/drama/etc) And, more people are gonna recognize the Emcee from Cabaret (mostly because Liza is in it), than they are How to Succeed.

[Brick]

Posted: 12/12/09 at 1:43pm

She will not be replaced! That's not even the problem identified in the article. She's isn't receiving bad reviews: she doesn't have much to do.

I find it strange they created a plot around Wednesday, instead of around Gomez or Morticia.