Created by cartoonist Charles Addams, the macabre family members got their start in The New Yorker magazine in 1938 and continued until Addams’ death in 1988. On television, Gomez, Morticia and the rest were the subject of a well-loved live-action series (1964 – 1966) and most of the cast reunited in 1977 for a reunion movie. There have also been two animated series, games, two feature films, a direct-to-DVD sequel and even an M&Ms commercial.
Plans are now underway to bring The Addams Family to the stage in the form of a Broadway musical. The production will be authored by the team of Drama Desk Award-winner Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party) and Tony Award-winners Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice (Jersey Boys). Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch, who created the dark Shockheaded Peter, will direct and design the stage show.
Production company Elephant Eye Theatrical announced that the musical is scheduled to be part of the 2009-10 Broadway season after an out-of-town tryout period. A draft of the script should be ready for a table read by Spring of 2008.
The character rights have been granted by the Tee and Charles Addams Foundation and this marks the first time the characters will be seen onstage. This milestone isn’t lost on Elephant Eye producer Stuart Oken. He said, “This property has great potential. It’s an iconic title. We have both the advantage and the responsibility of having these characters that people all think they know.” Oken also said, “I’m confident this outstanding creative team is re-imagining the work for the stage in a way that would have made Charlie proud.”
The musical will be based on the New Yorker cartoons rather than the movies or television versions. Still, so much of what we know of the Addams troupe comes from the small screen so one can’t help but wonder if aspects of the TV show won’t slip in. It hasn’t been determined as yet whether the familiar TV theme song will be allowed to be part of the production. Stay tuned!
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