Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011- Page 2
Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
#25Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/28/10 at 11:34pm
Wow. This discussion is going everywhere.
1) Earning a Tony doesn't make you a household name. True. But I don't think anyone claimed that?
Personally, I think if you are a theater person, Roger Rees is a name you would know. If not, you should know it.
2) I was just on the phone with my mother while reading the board, so I asked her (a prime example of a tourist) who Nathan Lane was. She had no clue. I asked her who Roger Rees was. She had no clue. So whatever that tells you, there you have it.
3) Nathan Lane is extremely popular in the theater circle. Moreso than Rees. A lot more so. Thus Lane is a name that sells tickets. But he is not a household name.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
#26Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/28/10 at 11:36pmI guess Bebe extended?? 6 months??
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
#27Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/28/10 at 11:39pmDid you not read what I wrote Bettyboy? Rees isn't known because of his Tony. In fact, most people who know him (aka his TV fanbase) probably don't even know he won a Tony. They know him from his long-running roles on various TV shows. Nathan Lane is a talk-show guest because of his theatre credits and nothing more.
#28Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/28/10 at 11:46pm
"They know him from his long-running roles on various TV shows"
As far US audiences knowing him-he did 18 episodes of Cheers and like 3 of Greys Anatomy, like 3 Law and Order and 2 episodes of OZ. He's a working actor, not a name or even a TV star.
The proof will be in the box office pudding.
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal
"I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello
#29Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/28/10 at 11:49pm
Pointless. Having Rees join the show is not intended to drive ticket sales through the roof. It is to replace an actor. Nothing more.
If they wanted a name, they would have gotten a name.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
#30Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/28/10 at 11:51pmAnd Nathan Lane was the voice of Timon...
#31Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/28/10 at 11:53pmThe role I remember Rees from is the Sheriff of Rottingham in "Robin Hood: Men in Tights" :)
"You pile up enough tomorrows, and you'll find you are left with nothing but a lot of empty yesterdays. I don't know about you, but I'd like to make today worth remembering." --Harold Hill from The Music Man
#32Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/29/10 at 12:20amThis has Henry Goodman written all over it.
#33Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/29/10 at 12:35amI kinda wish it would close when Nathan and Bebe opted out. Are they going to turn ADDAMS into THE PRODUCERS by beating the show to death with multiple replacements (that won't really help the box office much)?
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#34Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/29/10 at 12:44am
Wow. Broadwayworld.com forum hypocrisy at its best.
The producers obviously think the show is doing good business, enough to keep it running for a little while after Lane leaves the show. They COULD have hired a big film or television star, who probably didn't have the stage chops to lead a major production. lmagine what the reaction would have been on this message board.
lnstead, the producers hire a talented, experienced, versatile and respected and mostly theater-based actor; and the reaction on this message board... less than positive.
Give the man a chance, its not as if he's new to the stage...
"I will join this conversation on the proviso that we stop bitching about people. Wigs, dresses, bust sizes, penises, nightclubs and bloody Kylie!" - Bernadette, Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical
eatlasagna
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/6/04
#35Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/29/10 at 12:52amaaah yes!! I knew his name sounded familiar! Robin Hood Men in Tights!!! thanks for the memory jolt! haha
#36Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/29/10 at 2:13am
You know the show is not the hot mess, make of you make it to be. Was the best thing ever, of course not. But it was a fun afternoon of theatre.
Most people know who The Addams Family are, and most people who go are walk away having a good time.
Simple
Well I didn't want to get into it, but he's a Satanist.
Every full moon he sacrifices 4 puppies to the Dark Lord and smears their blood on his paino.
This should help you understand the score for Wicked a little bit more.
Tazber's: Reply to
Is Stephen Schwartz a Practicing Christian
#37Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/29/10 at 2:33am
I hear what Quizking is saying and from an artistic point of view I agree -- except that they hired a very talented, charismatic actor to take over from Nathan so I'm actually encouraged by the choice. They are hardly "beating the show to death with multiple replacements".
As an aside, replacing stars in Broadway shows with other stars or even quasi-stars is a long-standing tradition going back decades. It's not always done successfully, and I agree that one needs to have standards, but I'm not sure why the mere act of replacing the original stars seems troubling. If I'm misunderstanding your intent (Quizking), my apologies in advance.
Lastly, I would note that Broadway is a business. The show has a fiduciary obligation to its investors and unless the show has paid back by the time Nathan leaves, I can certainly understand why they would at least take a shot at continuing the run long enough to give them a chance at recouping. If they start to lose money steadily, there's a similarly good argument to close the show. But to not even try to run seems unnecessarily drastic. Furthermore, it can be argued that the ongoing Broadway run will aide the tour that has been announced to open in new Orleans in September 2011 and vice versa. Another reason to continue the run. Finally, a respectable Broadway run will likely also impact interest in the show internationally. Yet another reason to try and make a go of it with replacement actors rather than just folding up shop at the first sign of a challenge.
But then again, I'm in the minority of people who liked the show and I'm therefore happy to have it stay as long as it can.
"No matter how much you want the part, never let 'em see you sweat." -- Old Dry Idea commercial
willep
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/08
#38Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/29/10 at 4:51amI am actually really intrigued by this....
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#39Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/29/10 at 6:04am
I took what Quizking said as QUITE negative: I kinda wish it would close when Nathan and Bebe opted out. Are they going to turn ADDAMS into THE PRODUCERS by beating the show to death with multiple replacements (that won't really help the box office much)?
Should ONLY the originals ever play parts? Replacements can never be good? Just because someone is "known" does that mean they can't be a great choice for a part? Shows SHOULDN'T last as long as the public is still buying tickets? ONE replacement is beating a show to death? Are the "stars" the only reason the show exists? How would the box office be helped by closing a show just because a star exits? The show was never to be a limited engagement, nor was it ever billed as the Nathan Lane/Bebe Neuwirth Spectacular.
I'm not talking about THIS show neccessarily, but any show. I just want to see a great show (not saying this is, as I have no interest in it at all) with great performers. I don't care if they are known or not.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
musicalsFan
Broadway Star Joined: 3/3/04
#40Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/29/10 at 7:31am
Nathan Lane is a talk-show guest because of his theatre credits and nothing more.
You have got to be kidding, right????
"his theatre credits and nothing more" ?????
#41Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/29/10 at 8:05am
I saw Roger Rees in Waiting For Godot in London a few months ago and he plays younger than his age, even when trying to look old. He can sing a bit - witness A Man of No Importance where he did quite well.
As for replacing Nathan Lane, no one can. I expect the humor quotient of the show to drop precipitously. That said, Rees is a good actor and an interesting choice. We shall now see if this show has legs.
Faced with these Loreleis, what man can moralize!
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#42Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/29/10 at 10:24amFace it: The folks here hate this show, always hated this show and are just FURUIOUS that their knowledge that the show would quickly close, would only last till the end of summer, would limp through till Christmas or would certainly close after Lane left have been disproved yet again.
#43Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/29/10 at 10:42amRoger Rees is a well-known, highly respected actor with a lengthy and high-profile resumé. If you don't know that, you're either a child who has yet to actually explore anything that's happened in the theatre other than Wicked or Lion King, or you're a village idiot.
#44Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/29/10 at 12:29pm
"I saw Roger Rees in Waiting For Godot in London a few months ago"
So did I.
Nor should it be forgotten that he played the title role in the RSC's gargantuan and barn-storming 1980s production of Nicholas Nickelby.
#45Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/29/10 at 12:41pm
i don't know who he is...but i genuinly wish him luck in the role! he and Bebe will have chemistry which will be great to see!
really excited about this cast change if i'm honest =)
#46Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/29/10 at 1:17pm
Having not seen the show yet, this casting news has me inclined to wait and see Rees.
The show is not a hard sell with tourists in the city. I work in the hospitality industry here in the city and most folks look at me like I have two heads when I tell them who is playing the leads. For a lot of tourists, especially foreigners, the "stars" are merely an added bonus. As stated by another poster, they are there for the event and not the actors (unlike Merchant where it can definitely be said that the star is the event and it is the star who is selling the tickets). I think this is where we need to check ourselves when it comes to making predictions. Such casting notices might not excite us die-hards, but Broadway is nothing more than a tourist attraction (as opposed to an art form) to a great deal of people who visit this city. Further they want to see something they "know," and Addams is a recognizable brand.
Will Rees be able to keep the show at its present momentum (which honestly isn't as fabulous as it once was anyhow...I mean, it is consistently on TKTS for 50%)? Who knows, but I am not quite sure that Mr. Lane is the primary draw here.
Just my two cents.
Jon
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/20/04
#47Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/29/10 at 1:54pmThe show will limp through the summer and close Labor Day weekend.
leefowler
Broadway Star Joined: 7/13/04
#48Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/29/10 at 4:17pm
Other than getting fired from "The Red Shoes", has he ever been in a musical?
Behind the fake tinsel of Broadway is real tinsel.
SondheimFan5
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/20/10
#49Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 3/2011
Posted: 10/29/10 at 4:56pmNathan Lane is not a household name, but he is a known actor--because of things like The Birdcage and Frasier, and for lending his iconic voice to Lion King and Stewart Little. People know who he is, especially if they know theatre (and especially since The Producers).
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