Latino Broadway news, reviews, and theatre coverage

‘The Addams Family’ is headed to Broadway

The new musical THE ADDAMS FAMILY, based on the bizarre and beloved family of characters created by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams, will open Thursday, April 8, 2010 at Broadway’s Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46th Street).  Previews begin Thursday, March 4, 2010 following a pre-Broadway engagement at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre in Chicago that begins Friday, November 13, 2009. 
 
THE ADDAMS FAMILY is produced by Stuart Oken, Roy Furman, Michael Leavitt and Five Cent Productions, by special arrangement with Elephant Eye Theatrical.
 
Starring two-time Tony Award winners Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth as Gomez and Morticia, THE ADDAMS FAMILY features two-time Tony Award nominee Terrence Mann as Mal Beineke, two-time Tony Award nominee Carolee Carmello as Alice Beineke, two-time Tony Award nominee Kevin Chamberlin as Uncle Fester, Jackie Hoffman as Grandmama, Zachary James as Lurch, Adam Riegler as Pugsley, Wesley Taylor as Lucas Beineke and Krysta Rodriguez as Wednesday.
 
THE ADDAMS FAMILY features a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice (librettists of the 2006 Tony Award-winning Best Musical, Jersey Boys), music and lyrics by Drama Desk Award-winner Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party), direction and design by Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch (Shockheaded Peter, The Metropolitan Opera’s Satyagraha) and choreography by Sergio Trujillo (Next to Normal, Jersey Boys).
 
In this original story, the famously macabre Addams Family is put to the test when outsiders come to dinner, hurling Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, Pugsley, Fester, Grandmama and Lurch headlong into a night that will change the family forever.
 
In a prolific career spanning six decades, Charles Addams created several thousand cartoons, sketches and drawings, many of which were published in The New Yorker. But it was his creation of characters that came to be known as The Addams Family that brought Addams his greatest acclaim. With a unique style that combined the twisted, macabre and just plain weird with charm, wit and enchantment, Addams’ drawings have entertained millions worldwide and served as the inspiration for multiple television series and motion pictures.

For more information on THE ADDAMS FAMILY, visit www.theaddamsfamilymusical.com.

McG: From Terminator to Broadway

Film director McG is looking into Broadway. As per The Hollywood Reporter, “Terminator Salvation” director McG is attached as the director/producer of “Spring Awakening,” based on the smash-hit Broadway rock musical from Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik. The musical has won several awards, including a Tony for Best Musical back in 2007.

“Spring Awakening” tells the story of Melchior Gabor, a young student in 19th century Germany, as he pioneers a sexual discovery amongst his repressed classmates. Through his relationship with the beautiful Wendla Bergmann and his friendship with the troubled Moritz Stiefel, Melchior convinces his peers – and the audience – that teenage sexuality cannot be repressed by societal restrictions.

The cast has seen many actors come and go through the roles. Most recently, Blake Bashoff, who played ill-fated Karl on seasons three and four of “Lost,” starred as Moritz in the musical. Hunter Parrish, currently starring as Mary-Louise Parker’s son on “Weeds,” portrayed Melchior. There’s no indication that these actors will reprise their roles for the movie.

McG will adapt the musical with the assistance of Steven Sater, one of the co-creators of “Spring Awakening.” The musical itself is an adaptation of an 1891 German play with a decidedly darker, less rock-and-roll tone than “Awakening.” Still, the Broadway adaptation didn’t shy away from several hot-button topics including rape and abortion.

“Spring Awakening” is one of several films that McG has found his name attached to in recent months. He’s been linked to a remake of “20000 Leagues Under The Sea” with Will Smith as his desired casting choice, as well as planned sequels to this summer’s “Terminator Salvation.” With “Spring Awakening” in the mix, fans of the robot franchise might have to wait a little bit longer for a fifth installment.

Are you excited for McG’s take on “Spring Awakening,” or would you rather see him continue his work on the “Terminator” franchise? Sing us a tune in the comments section!

Mexican actress Bianca Marroquin comes back to “Chicago”

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the CHICAGO company is pleased to welcome back Mexican stage sensation Bianca Marroquin to the role of merry murderess Roxie Hart beginning Sunday, September 15.
 
Marroquin first portrayed Roxie Hart in the Mexico City production of CHICAGO in 2002. For that performance, she received five awards from the Mexican Critics Association, including New Revelation and Best Actress.
 
Following the critical and popular success of that production, she was then invited to crossover from Mexico City to New York City, and made her English-language debut as Roxie Hart on Broadway later that year.
 
For that acheivement, Marroquin holds the distinction of being the first — and only — Latina actress to crossover from Mexico to Broadway in a leading role.
 
Marroquin later took Roxie on the road, kicking off the third National Tour of CHICAGO and earning a 2004 Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Lead Actress.

 
Earlier this year, she was recognized by the General Consulate of Mexico for her unparalleled success as a Mexican actress on Broadway. This citation was presented to Marroquin at a special ceremony hosted by Mexican Consul General Ruben Beltran on April 8, 2008.
 
Marroquin returns to CHICAGO this month in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Hispanic Heritage Month, a nationwide observance to recognize the contributions of Hispanic Americans to the United States and to celebrate Hispanic heritage and culture. The observation was enacted in August 1988 by President Ronald Reagan. The annual celebration begins on September 15 and continues through October 15.
 
CHICAGO also stars Tony nominee Brenda Braxton as Velma Kelly, Tony nominee Tom Wopat as Billy Flynn, Tony nominee Kevin Chamberlin as Amos Hart and Carol Woods as Matron “Mama” Morton.
 
Visit www.chicagothemusical.com for additional information.