Brad Oscar Will Play Uncle Fester in Addams Family; Blickenstaff, Grupper, Potter Join Cast

By Kenneth Jones
04 Feb 2011

Heidi Blickenstaff
Heidi Blickenstaff

New family will pour through the door of Broadway's The Addams Family on March 8. The producers announced that Heidi Blickenstaff, Adam Grupper, Brad Oscar, Rachel Potter and Jesse Swenson will join the cast of the musical.

Original cast members Nathan Lane, Kevin Chamberlin, Terrence Mann, Carolee Carmello, Krysta Rodriguez and Wesley Taylor will give their final performances on March 6. It was previously announced that Lane, who created the role of Gomez, was being succeeded by Tony Award winner Roger Rees, a longtime pal and colleague of Bebe Neuwirth, who continues as Morticia.

At the Lunt Fontanne Theatre, expect Blickenstaff ([title of show]) as Alice Beineke, Grupper (Brighton Beach Memoirs) as Mal Beineke, Oscar (Tony-nominated for The Producers) as Fester, Potter (Wicked national tour) as Wednesday Addams and Swenson (Spring Awakening) as Wednesday's love interest, Lucas Beineke.

Also continuing in the roles they originated are Zachary James as Lurch, Adam Riegler as Pugsley Addams and Jackie Hoffman as Grandma.

Based on the darkly comic family of characters created by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams, The Addams Family features a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa. The production is directed and designed (sets and costumes) by Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch, with creative consultation by Jerry Zaks and choreography by Sergio Trujillo.

A national touring company will premiere in New Orleans in September of this year. Several international productions are planned and will be announced shortly.

For more information, visit www.theaddamsfamilymusical.com.