Bebe Neuwerth-Morticia Addams

[pro.inbox56]

Report from Broadway in Chicago, the big night finally arrived for me
Thu: my husband and I had our theater night at "The Addams Family: the
Musical" in its pre-Broadway review. We LOVED it (Itt? <g>) !!

It is sensational IOHP. Very funny, witty, great cast, great music and
songs, amazing set design and technical wizardry, extremely
imaginative, innovative and stupendous dancing numbers & choreography
(Bebe soared here). I don't think it's my personal bias either when I
say Bebe really makes the show, even given that it's fantastic in its
own right quite apart from her presence. When she and Nathan Lane
stepped forward together to take their bows, they got rousing cheers
and applause...well-deserved. But when they stepped forward
separately, the crowd broke into thunderous applause, shouts of
"Bravo!" and such, whistles and most of the house stood to cheer when
Bebe took her bow (she went last which shows she is recognized by the
company as the top star). It was clear the audience was bowled over
with adoration for her work. In three words, she was amazing! Nothing
short of that. I knew about her dancing, but I had not known she sings
so brilliantly. Terrific voice. But even more, her comic timing and
delivery are flawless. The subtlest nuances of her comic expression of
humorous bits, even one-word jokes, gave the material maximum comic
effect.

There are a couple of Frasier tie-ins too: there was a line in Nathan
Lane's dialog that was a nod to the sitcom..."Horseplay turns to
tears...", and there were two tango scenes reminiscent of Daphne and
Niles in "Moon Dance". Another observation, which is a personal one,
is I was thinking during the show that while Nathan Lane was
indisputably brilliant as Gomez, it struck me how good I think Kelsey
Grammer would have been as Bebe's co-star again. I really believe he
could nail it, totally.

I wrote a personal review for the staff of my son's school, by popular
demand, which was well-received, so I sent a copy to family and a
couple of friends, all who praised my report, and who have urged me to
start a blog somewhere to post it (along with other writing in the
future). If I do, I will post here with a link for anyone interested.

Anyone in the Chicago area (or who will be before the end of the year)
who is a musical comedy fan or a Bebe fan, or and Addams Family
junkie, ought to make an effort to see this one in its brief fun here
before moving to NYC. Otherwise, try to get to tickets when it goes to
Broadway if you are in the NYC area, or are planning or considering a
trip to the Big Apple in the next year. You won't be disappointed, I
promise you.

Rating:
Four Stars
* * * *

Recommendation:
Highly recommended

[manitou]

Thanks for report, Nat. You obviously had a great time.

I'm still thinking I should get myself to New York sooner than later.
Last time I was there was in 1969 (forty years ago), and did see
"Cabaret" when Lotte Lenya was still in the cast.

Charles

[manitou]

production update via NYTimes......:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/29/theater/29addams.html?_r=1&ref=arts

CPJ