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Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in ‘Addams Family’ in March

Roger Rees to Replace Nathan Lane in ‘Addams Family’ in March

In Spring 2011, Roger Rees will be reuniting with Bebe Neuwirth, his show business friend, when he takes on the Gomez role opposite of Neuwirth playing Morticia in the Broadway production of The Addams family. The announcement was made by the musical’s producers on October 28.

Rees, Tony Award winner, and Neuwirth, two time Tony award winner, co-starred on “Cheers,” the television sitcom. Reese played millionaire Rob Colcord and Neuwirth played Dr. Lilith Sternin. The two collaborated later on “Here Lies Love,” an Off-Broadway revenue featuring the songs of Kurt Weill, with Reese directing and Neuwirth starring.

At Lunt-Fontanne Theatre for the March 22, 2011 performance Rees will succeed Nathan Lane. The macabre Morticia and Gomez face growing pains from their haunted mansion. Wednesday, their teenage daughter, becomes involved with a “normal” boy.

Roger Rees, for his title role of Nicholas Nickleby in “The Life And Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby” won the Tony Award for Best Actor. He received a Tony nominations for his work in “Indiscretions.”

Neuwirth and Reese also co-starred in “The Taming of the Shrew” in the roles of Kate and Petruchio for the 1999 production at Williamstown Theater Festival and in Center Theater Group’s “Cabaret Verboten” in Los Angeles.

Rees, who was born in Wales, last appeared on a New York City stage in Lincoln Center Theater’s “A Man of No Importance,” the Ahrens/Flaherty musical at Mitzi Newhouse. Among Rees’ other Broadway credits are “The Rehearsal” and “Uncle Vanya” Roundabout productions. His Off-Broadway credits include his Obie Award winning performance with “The End of the Day,” Playwrights Horizons’ production of “The Uneasy Chair” and Classic Stage Company’s production of “The Misanthrope.” In London Rees played starring roles in original productions of “Hapgood” and “The Real Thing” by Tom Stoppard. He appeared this year along with Ian McKellen in an acclaimed “Waiting for Godot” production on the West End at Theatre Royal Haymarket. He will be performing “What You Will,” his solo Shakespearean show, at Stratford-Upon-Avon in December.

The film work of Rees’ includes “Frida” by Julie Taymore, “Robin Hood: Men in Tights” by Mel Brooks and the Bob Fosse films “If Looks Could Kill” and “Star 80.”

His television credits include “My So-Called Life,” “Boston Common,” and “The West Wing.” He and Alex Timbers will be co-directing at New York Theatre Workshop this winter on “Peter and the Starcatchers.”

“The Addams Family” is based on the bizarre family characters that were created by Charles Addams, the legendary cartoonist. The musical features a book written by Rick Elice and Marshall Brickman, with lyrics and music by Andrew Lippa. Julian Crouch and Phelim McDermott direct and design (costumes and sets) the production, choreography is from Sergio Trujillo and creative consultation from Jerry Zaks.

Opening night for the musical on Broadway was April 8, 2010. Over the last nine months it has been one of Broadway’s highest grossing titles. In September 2011 in New Orleans a national tour will premiere.