Today in theatre history: On April 8, 2010, The Addams Family opened on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. The production, directed by Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch with choreography by Sergio Trujillo, played 34 previews and 722 performances before closing on December 31, 2011, earning two Tony nominations including Best Original Score.
In an original story using Charles Addams鈥� beloved cartoon characters, the musical tells the events that ensue when outsiders come to dinner with the Addams, hurling Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, Pugsley, Uncle Fester, Grandmama and Lurch headlong into a night that will change the family forever. The production featured music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice.
The Addams Family starred Nathan Lane as Gomez Addams, Bebe Neuwirth as Morticia Addams, Terrence Mann as Mal Beineke, Carolee Carmello as Alice Beineke, Kevin Chamberlin as Uncle Fester, Jackie Hoffman as Grandma, Zachary James as Lurch, Adam Riegler as Pugsley Addams, Wesley Taylor as Lucas Beineke, and Krysta Rodriguez as Wednesday Addams with Erick Buckely, Rachel de Benedet, Matthew Gumley, Fred Inkley, Morgan James, Clark Johnsen, Barrett Martin, Jessica Lea Patty, Liz Ramos, Charlie Sutton, and Al茅na Watters as the Addams Ancestors.
The musical featured lighting design by Natasha Katz, sound design by Acme Sound Partners, puppetry by Basil Twist, and projection design by McDermott and Crouch.
in a 2022 interview with 半岛体育, the production "was reviled by the critics. As Jackie Hoffman used to say, 'Even gay men didn't like this musical.'...After all the hatred had died down, audiences just enjoyed it."
Since its licensing release to regional, community, and educational theatre markets, The Addams Family has become one of the most popular musicals in the United States, where it consistently ranks in the top three musicals produced year-to-year.
Look back on the original Broadway production below.
To learn about other theatre events that happened on April 7, visit the 半岛体育 Vault.
