The Addams Family Coming to Broadway: Neuwirth to Star- Page 2

[madbrian]

Posted: 6/25/08 at 9:46am

Tommy Tune should play Lurch.

Agree that Bebe is a great choice. Lane as Gomez might just make me not see the show. Danny Burstein is a great suggestion for Gomez.

[Not Barker, Todd.]

Posted: 6/25/08 at 9:50am

"I can't wait. Will they be using the script from the movies ar starting from scratch?"

It's listed as based on the original comic strips in all the news articles. That probably means the TV series too (seeing as it's "canon"), but I doubt there will be anything of substance from the movies, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

[spencinthecity]

Posted: 6/25/08 at 9:51am

I remember watching the old tv shows with my grandma... I remember Gomez as being goofy, kind of a dufus.

I think Lane would be great if that's the angle they take (which after reading Michael's article, it sounds like they are...)

Get him to skinny up a bit and put him next to Bebe -- I'll be there!

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 6/25/08 at 10:04am

Wow. I'm sorry to be reading all the negative posts about Nathan Lane as Gomez...I think he'll be fantastic. I am also excited for Bebe (though I would have preferred Julia Murney, but the Nathan/Bebe pairing is more age appropriate). I hope the two of them get to dance the Tango together!!!

[BillyE]

Posted: 6/25/08 at 10:07am

Allow me to jump in on the Danny Burstein as Gomez bandwagon.
I got to see him as Adolpho in Drowsy and in South Pacific. Hard to believe it's the same guy.
Nathan Lane is a much more recognizable name, and a show like this needs names, but he's just not right for the role.

[jrb]

Posted: 6/25/08 at 10:12am

If you go by the original drawings, I think Lane works wonderfully. I think he'll be great.

As for Lurch, I know who is being considered for the role. Little-known, but quite good. There won't be any disappointment, I don't think.

Posted: 6/25/08 at 10:17am

AH yes- if you are going to stay true to the original comics, Lane is perfect.

[folkyboy]

Posted: 6/25/08 at 10:19am

i don't know if i can believe Nathan Lane kissing up Bebe Neuwirth's arm. Nathan Lane dressed as Bebe Neuwirth, yes. But kissing all over her? No...

Here's to hoping Andrew Lippa writes some hella show stoppers for Nathan to sing.

[SirNotAppearing]

Posted: 6/25/08 at 10:21am

Ugh.
This is gonna be like when people said they didn't believe him as Bialystock because Bialystock is straight.

Posted: 6/25/08 at 10:21am

For those unfamiliar- The original Addam's Family

[barcelona20]

Posted: 6/25/08 at 10:27am

Nathan Lane is a terrible casting choice for the lead. Makes no sense.

Michael Cerveris would be ideal, but he might not be interested in something this "commercial"

He's got that perfect combo of spooky and sexy. Nathan Lane just represents silly.

[spencinthecity]

Posted: 6/25/08 at 10:35am

Shave Chris Fitzgeralds head -- cast him as Fester.

Get Alison Pill to dorn a dark wig as Wednesday.

And is Andrea Martin doing anything after YF? Cuz she'd be a great Granny.

[jrb]

Posted: 6/25/08 at 10:36am

This is Charles Addams' personal description of Gomez. Try not to go by the movies, folks. If you take this and his cartoon depiction from the New Yorker as your guidelines, then Lane seems a solid choice to me.

"Husband to Morticia (if indeed they are married at all)...a crafty schemer, but also a jolly man in his own way...though sometimes misguided...sentimental and offten puckish - optimistic, he is in full enthusiam for his dreadful plots...is sometimes seen in a rather formal dressing gown...the only one who smokes."

[FrontRowCenter2]

Posted: 6/25/08 at 10:43am

Wasn't that familiar with the cartoon, but based on the last few posts and the drawing - I could definitely now see Lane playing Gomez.

[Patash]

Posted: 6/25/08 at 10:57am

To be honest, I never liked the "sexy and sultry" Gomez interpretations. I thought it took away from the wackiness and the humor. I liked Gomez better as a dufus (stealing someone else's word). I think Nathan Lane would be perfect.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 6/25/08 at 10:59am

YEAH Bebe Neuwirth!!! It'll be nice to have her back on Broadway.

[Calvin]

Posted: 6/25/08 at 11:04am

Quite true. There was nothing sexy about John Astin, either.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/25/08 at 11:05am

I can't get excited about this. Unless they come up with a really dynamite plot, I'm afraid it will just come across as a rather thin novelty piece. And unfortunately, I've never been a Lippa fan. Other than My New Philosphy, he hasn't written anything that has grabbed me.

[broadwayjim42]

Posted: 6/25/08 at 11:22am

But at least you could buy Astin's affection for Carolyn Jones.

I can see it work a bit more through Charles Addams' description, but was all the romantic stuff concocted simply for the series and the movies?

If there's any of the "cara mia" in the original cartoons, I just can't see Lane as a romantic lead of any sort unless it's in the broadest (comedically speaking) possible terms.

[devonian.t]

Posted: 6/25/08 at 11:28am

I suspect Mr Lane might feel the Catch Me If You Can role could be played by others, whereas his schtick (which I like, I'm not complaining), would be distinctive in Addams Family.

Personally, I'd like to see David Badella (from Jerry Spinger the Opera) as Gomez.

[Midnight Radio]

Posted: 6/25/08 at 11:31am

RE: That posted cartoon. That image of Gomez is not from the original source. It looks like someone has drawn over only Gomez's face:


Here is a better image of Gomez:


Personally, not that happy with Lane as he does not seem quite dark enough. Love Bebe, but I also wish they could have bagged Lenora Nemetz for some truely great casting.

EDIT: And if they are going to go with Neuwirth, I think Raul Esparza would make a better counterpart...

Updated On: 6/25/08 at 11:31 AM

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 6/25/08 at 11:36am

Bebe is brillant casting! And they can even write in an amazing tango number for her as others have mentioned. And how about the grandmother? Can anyone see Mary Louis Wilson in that role? Very excited about this production. What are the odds of it opening this season? I would think later on towards the Spring.

Updated On: 6/25/08 at 11:36 AM

[Midnight Radio]

Posted: 6/25/08 at 11:39am

And as for the script, many of the lines and sight gags, especially from the first film, were pulled directly from the original comics. So you may still recognize moments from the films...

[pli1018]

Posted: 6/25/08 at 12:08pm

The little girl from August: Osage County, whose name escapes me, would make a great Wednesday, but I don't know if she sings.

[Trap-Door Lover]

Posted: 6/25/08 at 12:24pm

According to Playbill, Nathan Lane will be in the reading.
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/118968.html