Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
#2Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/28/10 at 6:19pmOk, how long we giving it then? :P
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#2Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/28/10 at 6:24pmI love Roger Rees. I'm guessing his performance will be much more nuanced than Lane's. Maybe I'll finally take a look-see.
#3Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/28/10 at 6:25pmerr...will it survive beyond Lane? I assumed he and Bebe would just close it...
#4Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/28/10 at 6:49pm
Ok, how long we giving it then? :P
Um... if people are saying that the show has been staying open only because of the names of the leads, the show will be FINE with Rees who is just as much a name as Lane, if not moreso. His casting opposite Bebe will bring in all of the old Cheers fans, and his work on The West Wing will bring in a whole different demographic. I anticipate his casting to sell tickets.
#5Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/28/10 at 6:53pmWho did Roger Rees kill in a previous life?
bwaylvsong
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/28/05
#6Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/28/10 at 7:17pmI've never heard of him, but then again I don't watch Cheers or West Wing.
PiraguaGuy2
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/10/08
#7Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/28/10 at 7:26pmI guess it helps when you sleep with the bookwriter.
#8Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/28/10 at 7:42pmOr win a Tony. As for the never heard of comment, as well as not watching TV, you obviously don't know much about theatre either.
#9Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/28/10 at 7:57pm
Roger Rees is a Tony Award winner and among his many acting credits on stage, screen, and television...he was also the Artistic Director of the Williamstown Theatre Festival for several years. (Under Rees' term at WTF, he birthed several major productions, including the original workshop of BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON.)
And yes, he sleeps with the bookwriter, who is his life partner.
--Aristotle
#10Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/28/10 at 7:57pm
And here is where the show will die.
Isn't he a little old to be playings Gomez??
PiraguaGuy2
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/10/08
#11Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/28/10 at 8:07pmI'm not denying Rees' more-than-illustrious career and I'm sorry if you found my comment to be in poor taste, but his life partner is Rick Elice and I'm sure that was a huge boon to his getting the role.
#12Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/28/10 at 8:19pmI'm inclined to agree that his relationship with Elice is likely what put him in the discussion of possible replacements. But I'm actualy quite excited to see him in the role. He's one of those special actors with fantastic charisma and charm on stage and even on the small screen. Technically might be a little long in the tooth but I'm not bothered by it. Especially as the Addamses kinda have their own definition of time, age etc.
broadwayjim42
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/19/03
#13Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/28/10 at 8:21pmAccording to IMDB, he's 66. For whatever reason, I thought he was younger than mid 30's when "Nicholas Nickelby" brought him to prominence.
#14Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/28/10 at 8:58pmIt goes without saying. SO much of "who you know" in this industry is how you land your next job. Roger Rees got this gig because his partner is the bookwriter. This is nothing new.
--Aristotle
bwaylvsong
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/28/05
#15Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/28/10 at 9:19pm
"As for the never heard of comment, as well as not watching TV, you obviously don't know much about theatre either."
What a ridiculous assumption to make. I watch plenty of TV and know a great deal about theatre. Not watching two specific TV shows (one of which was before my time and the other of which never interested me) and not recogizing the name of one particular actor (who I'm sure I've seen, I just- as I said- didn't recognize his name) does not mean anything in terms of overall knowledge of television and theatre.
Updated On: 10/28/10 at 09:19 PM
#16Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/28/10 at 9:27pmActually you said you'd never heard of him and the tone of your post was rather dismissive of a pretty sucessful theatre career. A quick bit of internet research would have filled you in.
bwaylvsong
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/28/05
#17Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/28/10 at 9:58pmI apologize if the tone of my post was dismissive of his career- I absolutely didn't mean it that way. All I meant is that his name doesn't ring a bell for me and may not for your average theatregoer. Even if his face looks familiar and he has accomplished quite a bit (which, after some quick research, it does and he has), that doesn't mean anything to Joe Tourist who would probably see the name and think nothing of it without the face and/or credits attached.
NYadgal
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/04
#18Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/28/10 at 10:18pm
Roger Rees is so talented - a wonderful actor, director and artist - and a truly wonderful man. I have the great honor of knowing him and working with him on behalf of an arts organization I'm involved with.
I think this is going to breathe some fresh life into the role.
#19Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/28/10 at 10:21pm
Chad Kimball
Sutton Foster
Douglas Hodge
Laura Benanti
Sherie Renee Scott
Hugh Panero
Mandy Gonzalez
Marin Mazzie
These are all names that have been in the press to announce that they are starring in a Broadway show this season or upcoming. Joe Tourist doesn't know these people, neither.
If you're pointing out that Roger Rees is a name Joe Tourist does not know, I do not get the point you are trying to make. Neither are the ones I mentioned above.
--Aristotle
bwaylvsong
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/28/05
#20Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/28/10 at 10:29pmThere wasn't any talk of those people having an effect on box office, and none of those people were replacing a household name (which I'd say Lane is).
#21Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/28/10 at 11:06pm
Lane is no more a household name than Rees is. YOU haven't heard of Rees, but I guarantee you plenty of people out there have.
All I meant is that his name doesn't ring a bell for me and may not for your average theatregoer.
No, your average theatregoer will probably know Roger Rees. I've never seen him in anything live, but I very much know who he is from his film and TV career. What has Lane done that would make him more a household name? The Birdcage? That's it really.
bwaylvsong
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/28/05
#22Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/28/10 at 11:16pmOk, I'll take your word for it.
kidbroadway2
Leading Actor Joined: 3/26/10
#23Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/28/10 at 11:26pmCompletely agree with bwaylvsong. Sometimes I feel like I'm on another planet with these other posters.
#24Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/28/10 at 11:28pm
Although Lane isn't a film marquee name, he somehow has an extremely high profile on Broadway and sells alot of tickets. Most likely because he tends to do alot of theatre and most theatre goers know him. I think he also has been in many popular shows, a few movies and The Producers which was wildly successful on Broadway, anyhow. Theatre goers think Lane = good performance and a fun time. Sure, he's done some duds, but he's a good bet.
"Lane is no more a household name than Rees is"
You're joking right? Many people know who Nathan Lane is. He is very a popular actor and talk show guest.
I also did not know who Rees was at first glance. I had to research him. When are folks on this board going to realize that winning a Tony means little to nothing in the entertainment industry and barely raises your public profile.
Tony=wow, you just won an obscure award on a telecast no one watches.
Box office is gonna plummet since the book and score blow.
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