Addams Family the Musical

I attended a pre-Broadway premier of the new musical, "The Addams Family" at the Ford Oriental Theatre in downtown Chicago on Wednesday, December 16. Mom and dad and cousin Verna joined me. We had wonderful seats and had a wonderful time. It was exciting to see a show before it premiers on Broadway. This was mom and dad's first visit to downtown Chicago. I couldn't let them come to Chicago without seeing a show. A pre-Broadway premier filled with Broadway veterans and future Broadway stars was the perfect way to spend their last evening in the windy city!

Gomez Addams - Nathan Lane

Morticia Addams - Bebe Neuwirth

Uncle Fester - Kevin Chamberlin

Grandma - Jackie Hoffman

Wednesday Addams - Krysta Rodriguez

Pugsley Addams - Adam Riegler

Lurch - Zachary James

Mal Beineke - Terrence Mann

Alice Beineke - Carolee Carmello

Lucas Beineke - Wesley Taylor

They're campy and they're kooky, not really all that spooky, they're corny and quite antic, and hopelessly romantic. That's "The Addams Family" in this new musical based on the characters of cartoonist Charles Addams, familiarized through TV and film incarnations. Opening in Chicago en route to Broadway. A reviewer wrote that the show is theatrical comfort food, providing value for the consumer dollar. Slickly and grandly designed, completely accessible, consistently amusing and in its own way a genuine tribute to old-fashioned Broadway musical entertainment. In the musical daughter Wednesday is all grown-up and has met the love of her life. The Addams invite Wednesday's boyfriend and his parents over for dinner. There's the usual fun but predictable shock at the Addams' oddness. I enjoyed the show because it cast a spotlight on gifted stars Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth. I was also excited to see Broadway vet Terrence Mann. I especially enjoyed newcomer Krysta Rodrgiez. The show is filled with laughs and some memorable songs by composer-lyricist Andrew Lippa. People will go to see the show on Broadway because of the show's star power but I do not predict a Tony in it's future. However, I found myself humming a song from the show as we left the theatre. This reviewer gives a show a thumbs-up when that happens!

Cousin Verna, me, and mom.