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Addams Family Puts Hex on Broadway Critics???

Date: 20 April 2010

When The Addams Family premiered to “genuinely ghastly” (New York Times) reviews on Broadway earlier this month, the likelihood of the planned West End transfer going ahead seemed remote. But it may not be so remote after all. Despite the critical drubbing, the screen-to-stage musical has turned into a hit, taking a reported £4.3 million in its first five weeks and £9.7 million in advance sales at the box office. The blockbuster is now being hailed not only as “critic proof” but as the show that may have put the nail in the coffin of Broadway critics and their “make or break” power. The Addams Family has a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa. Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth star.

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Reader Comments

Comment	Date
I loved it. Saw it two days before it opened. A genuine outpouring of theatrical joy - very funny lines, great choreography, fabulous sets and costumes, some fabulous songs (Carolee Carmello's number at the end of Act One is a diva delight) and routines. memorable performances and a show that asks nothing of its audience except to have the capacity to listen and enjoy. Nathan Lane was thrilling as was Bebe Neuwirth; but Lurch and Fester and Grandma are too funny for words: they need to be seen. The girl was not so good and the one misbeat. Truly, there is no need for theatre to be educational or ground-breaking: it is quite enough to be popular and fun. And Addams Family is that - in spades! It does not need stars to work - just good comic actors willing to play roles rather than be personalities. Simon Burke and Hannah Waddingham would be delicious here; and if someone could convince Simon Russell Beale to be Fester........heaven! - Patrick	20 Apr 10

I saw a preview a few days before opening night and the show was entertaining but with a very poor book and totally unmemorable songs with a mish-mash of styles. The overture has about 20 seoonds of the memorable "Addams family theme" and thats it! The rest of the score is downhill all the way. The show reminded me of a poor mans "The Producers" and "Young Frankenstein" which I enjoyed very much. I'm sure the show is riding on it's advance before the reviews and it will probably do well as long as Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth stay in it. However, unless it came to the UK with the same leads I dont see it being a success, unless other british star names could be found for it. - Martin	20 Apr 10

i find broadway critics are often very misleading, as an example my wife and i saw young frankenstein on broadway which the critics over there aLSO SLATED, BUT IS WAS BRILLIANT - malcolm jacobs	20 Apr 10

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