Cartoonist Charles Addams enjoyed a successful career that spanned nearly 60 years. Over his lifetime he maintained his position as one of the most celebrated cartoonists of all time, having created several thousand cartoons and drawings, the most popular being his Addams Family characters.

Addams was born in Westfield, New Jersey, in 1912, a town known for its ornate Victorian homes and ancient cemeteries, where he enjoyed playing as a child. His genius for drawing was evident early in his childhood, and, with his father’s encouragement, he began submitting his cartoons to his high school literary magazine. He attended Colgate University and studied at the Grand Central School of Art in New York before joining the layout department of True Detective magazine in 1933, where he was tasked with retouching photos of corpses that appeared in with the articles. That same year, at the age of 21, his first cartoon was published in The New Yorker, beginning an association with the venerable magazine that lasted until his death in 1988.

Despite his reputation as a ghoul himself, Addams was a consummate professional who took his art very seriously. Much of Addams's work was funny without being dark; however, it was the sinister stuff that made him famous. According to biographer Linda Davis, “Like movie stars, as the popularity of his Addams Family cartoons began to grow they attracted a devoted and eager following. Even the children of New Yorker readers, who would not otherwise have picked up the magazine, had come to watch for the cartoons that made scary things funny and celebrated breaking the rules...the children who loved Addams’ cartoons understood that there was nothing really scary going on in them.” While these New Yorker cartoons were immensely popular, it was the creation of the Addams Family characters for the 1964 TV series that earned him wide recognition.

When ABC television executives came to Addams and requested that he contribute to a series about his Addams Family characters, he was driven to develop the clan into individual and distinct personalities – and give them names. He decided that they were an eccentric, wealthy family who delighted in the macabre and were unaware that people found them bizarre and sometimes frightening. The now famous characters Morticia, Fester, Gomez, Wednesday, Pugsley, Grandma, Lurch and Thing appeared in only about 50 of his original works in various forms prior to the sitcom. Though peculiar, they represented a close-knit extended family with Morticia and Gomez as devoted parents who were happily married and still very much romantic towards each other. The Addams Family premiered on Friday, September 18, 1964, and ran for 64 regular season episodes. The series theme song, written by Vic Mizzy, featured the memorable four-note bass line and finger-snapping. John Astin, an Ogunquit Playhouse alum, starred as Gomez opposite Carolyn Jones as Morticia.

In 1991, Paramount Pictures released the film The Addams Family directed by Barry Sonnenfeld and starring Anjelica Huston as Morticia, Raul Julia as Gomez, Christopher Lloyd as Uncle Fester, and Christina Ricci as Wednesday. The film pays homage to and recreates many of the iconic images from the cartoon family’s early appearances in The New Yorker, the most notable of which is seen in the film’s opening sequence where the Addams family pours a cauldron of oil on some Christmas carolers. A sequel, Addams Family Values, was made in 1993. It retained the same lead cast and director, and received greater critical acclaim than the first film with more focus on the macabre humor that made the cartoons distinctive.

In 2007, the Tee and Charles Addams Foundation granted Broadway producers the right to create a musical adaptation of The Addams Family for Broadway for the first time. The Addams Foundation reportedly retained control over the show's content and insisted that instead of drawing the plot from The Addams Family television series or films the production team must devise an original musical based solely on Addams' cartoons. Jersey Boys creators Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice were engaged to write the book, and Andrew Lippa was hired to compose the show's score. Julian Crouch and Phelim McDermott were the original director and designer, with choreography by Sergio Trujillo. The show had a trial run in Chicago starring Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth and later transferred to Broadway with the original cast intact. The Addams Family opened on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on April 8, 2010 and ran for 722 performances. National and International tours were subsequently launched with great success.

The Ogunquit Playhouse was among the first regional theatres in the U.S. to be granted the rights to produce the musical for its stage. The touring and Broadway set and costumes designed by Julian Crouch and Phelim McDermott appear on our stage, along with a top-notch cast playing the first family of comedy.

RACHEL DE BENEDET (Morticia) is very happy to return to Ogunquit, having last played Anna in The King and I opposite Lorenzo Lamas on this stage. Broadway credits: Catch Me if You Can (Paula Abagnale) Astaire Award nomination; The Addams Family (Morticia opposite Nathan Lane); Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Muriel Eubanks); Nine starring Antonio Banderas (Diana); The Sound of Music. Off-Broadway: Lureena in Christopher Durang/Peter Melnick’s Adrift in Macao (winning a Barrymore Award for the original Philadelphia Theatre Company production); Lisa in The Second Tosca. National Tours: Camelot, as Guenevere opposite Lou Diamond Phillips; The Sound of Music as Elsa “The Baroness” opposite Richard Chamberlain, winning the Judy Award. Favorite regional: Kiss Me, Kate! (Lilli/Kate) North Shore Musical Theatre--IRNE Award nomination; Tommy Tune’s The Turn of the Century (Lily) with Jeff Daniels, Chicago’s Goodman Theatre; As Bees in Honey Drown (Alexa), Arvada Center, Denver Drama Critic’s Circle Award; and Milly in Seven Brides...for Sacramento Music Circus, Audience Favorite Award. Film: to be released 2015, Creedmoria.

DAVID ENGEL (Gomez Addams) comes directly to The Ogunquit Playhouse after starring opposite Leslie Caron in the two-hander Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks at California’s renowned Laguna Playhouse. Broadway credits include: Putting it Together, Seussical: The Musical and the original production of La Cage aux Folles. David created the role of Smudge in the original New York production of Forever Plaid, and again in Plaid Tidings and Forever Plaid: The Movie. David was also paired romantically opposite RuPaul in the award-winning cult musical short film Zombie Prom. He is a six-time recipient of the LA Stage Alliance Ovation Award and is a longtime proud member of Actors Equity Association.

LARRY CAHN (Mal Beineke) Broadway: The Graduate (Mr. Robinson) with Kathleen Turner; Guys & Dolls (Nicely Nicely Johnson); Epic Proportions (D.W. Dewitt); Anything Goes (Lord Evelyn); The Music Man (Ewart Dunlop) with Dick Van Dyke, directed by Michael Kidd. National Tour: Ragtime; Lend Me A Tenor, Elf. Off-Broadway: The Gig; Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh!; The Portable Pioneer and Prairie Show. Regional: The Great American Mousical (premiere), directed by Julie Andrews; The Rhythm Club (premiere); Company, Pirates of Penzance (Major General Stanley); The Predators’ Ball (premiere); LUV; La Cage Aux Folles (Dindon); The Golden Land; Is There Life After High School?; Annie (Warbucks); Johnny Pye & The Foolkiller (premiere). Film/Television: “Freedom Writers,” “Lost Angeles,” “Without a Trace,” “The West Wing,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Law and Order,” “Law and Order: SVU,” “Chappelle’s Show,” “The Young and the Restless,” “Another World.” Proud member of Actors’ Equity.

LAURIE WELLS (Alice Beineke) Broadway/National Tours: Mamma Mia! (Donna), Swing! (Principal Vocalist). Off-Broadway/Select Regional: The Addams Family (Alice, Gateway Playhouse), Sing For Your Shakespeare (Westport Playhouse), Always, Rachel (Rachel Carson, NYMF), Our Sinatra, Swing!, City of Angels (Bobbi/Gabby, Goodspeed), 42nd Street (Dorothy, Goodspeed and Riverside Theatre), Ragtime (Mother, Hangar Theatre), Pure Country (Harley, Casa Manana), Dames at Sea (Mona, Bay Street Theatre), My Fair Lady (Eliza, Santa Monica CLO), I Got Merman (Stamford PAC). Premiere of Trip of Love in Osaka, Japan. Concerts: Our Sinatra (54 Below), Lyrics & Lyricists (92nd St. Y), Transcendence Theatre Company Gala, solo show on Princess Cruises, Grand Ole Opry. www.lauriewells.net

AMANDA BRUTON (Grandma) is thrilled to be back at Ogunquit Playhouse after appearing in Billy Elliot earlier this season. She is equally excited to be returning to the role of Grandma Addams after touring the US and Asia in the 2013-14 International tour of The Addams Family Musical. Recent credits include: Hairspray (Red House) and How Deep is the Ocean? (NYMF). Next up, Amanda will be co-starring in the new comedic webseries, “Merce,” premiering later this fall. Amanda is also the voice behind several commercials and audiobooks. Huge thanks to everyone at Carson-Kolker! Love to Kristen, Mom, Dad, and The Fam. www.amandabruton.com @amanda_bruton

BRIAN M. FOISY (Pugsley Addams) is 12 years old, and an honors student in the seventh grade at The Middle School of the Kennebunks, in Kennebunk, Maine. He is thrilled to be playing Pugsley Addams at Ogunquit Playhouse. Most recently, Brian appeared in Oliver at Our Theatre Company in Springvale, ME. This past school year he was in his school’s production of Beauty and the Beast. Brian spends his summers working with Maine Stage Shakespeare, and his first exposure to Ogunquit Playhouse was in their children’s production of Mulan in the summer of 2013. Brian enjoys singing with the chorus and honors chorus at Middle School of the Kennebunks. Brian also works consistently at River Tree Arts in Kennebunk taking voice lessons, dance, and theatre classes.

JENNIFER FOGARTY (Wednesday Addams) is thrilled to be returning to her Ogunquit family! Previous OGT credits include: High School Musical, All Shook Up, The Sound of Music, and Pinkalicious. She recently played Wednesday for 17 months on the International Tour of The Addams Family and couldn’t be happier to fill her Princess of Darkness shoes again. Love and thanks to her family, friends, Brad, Jayme, Keith, Vince, Nolan, Cheryl, and Jean for all of their support. It’s wonderful to be home. www.jenniferfogarty.com

MATTHEW QUINN (Lurch) is beyond delighted to join the cast of The Addams Family for his very first performance with Ogunquit Playhouse. Strange villainous characters seem to be his forte. Previous favorite miscreants include: Captain Hook, Scar, Jafar, Frollo and Hades all with Disney Cruise Line. He was Frankenstein at Universal Studios Japan in Beetlejuice’s Graveyard Review. Lurch just seems appropriate to add to the list. Enjoy, or rather (Grunt!)

SHAUN RICE (Uncle Fester) is thrilled to be a member of the Addams clan once again. He has just returned from the international tour of The Addams Family where he performed the role of Uncle Fester all across the country and in Asia. Past Credits: How The Grinch Stole Christmas (National Tour), Gilligan’s Island The Musical (National Tour), Great American Trailer Park Musical, Gutenberg The Musical, I Love A Piano. Much love to Tams and Miss Scarlett. @shaunpuffyrice

BRYAN WELNICKI (Lucas Beineke) is excited to make his Ogunquit debut after returning this spring from the National Tour of The Addams Family (Lucas) directed by Jerry Zaks. Bryan is a recent graduate of the NYU Steinhardt program for vocal performance and proud student of Michael Ricciardone. NYC and regional credits include: Sweeney Todd at the Gateway (Tobias), The Fix (Cal Chandler), Stand Tall (David), King David (Absalom). Love to Mom, Dad, Laura, Chester.

MELISSA CHATY (Addams Ancestor) is thrilled to make her Ogunquit Playhouse debut! Credits include: Spamalot (National Tour), The Phantom of the Opera (International Tour), Hello, Dolly! (Goodspeed, Fireside), Beauty and the Beast, South Pacific, The Addams Family (Gateway), Spamalot (Performance Riverside), Camelot (Engeman), and soloist for the San Diego Symphony. Melissa was honored to represent her home state, California, at the 2008 Miss America pageant, placing in the Top 8. Many thanks to Ogunquit Playhouse for this opportunity and much love to family and friends.

DANIELLE DINIZ (Addams Ancestor) is thrilled to be in The Addams Family! Previously she’s been in Young Frankenstein (Saint Michael’s Playhouse), The Music Man (John W. Engeman Theater), on “One Life to Live,” in commercials and print ads, trained at The Paper Mill Playhouse, Lee Strasberg and won national and regional awards in dance. She graduated from Cornell University with a B.A. in English and Theater, minor in Dance. Thanks to everyone from Addams and her (other) family!

JEROME DOERGER (Addams Ancestor) is ecstatic to be returning to the Ogunquit Playhouse after playing Victor in last season’s Young Frankenstein. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Wright State University with a BFA in Acting with an emphasis in Musical Theatre. National Tour: Young Frankenstein. Favorite regional credits include Che in Evita (Algonquin Arts Theatre), Beauty and the Beast (Gateway Playhouse), Ragtime (Westchester Broadway), Man of LaMancha (Human Race Theatre), The World Goes Round (Broward Stage Door). Many thanks to The Gateway and Ogunquit Playhouses, Keith, Vincent, Brad and Jayme. Much love to my family, friends, and ‘Shley. www.jeromedoerger.com

DANNY LINDGREN (Addams Ancestor) is happy to be making his Ogunquit debut! Regional: Smokey in Damn Yankees (Goodspeed), Nephew Fred in A Christmas Carol (McCarter Theatre), Jake in Most Happy Fella (Goodspeed), South Pacific, Camelot, Parade, Rent, Into the Woods, Romeo & Juliet, Taming of the Shrew, and Der Fliegende Hollander. He’s a proud Seattleite and Ithaca alumn. Danny would like to thank TKO, Keith, Vince, the cast, his family and Andie.

KEVIN METZGER (Addams Ancestor) is over the moon to be making his Ogunquit Playhouse debut with this kooky family! Previous credits include: the National Tours of Young Frankenstein and ‘SWonderful: The New Gershwin Musical. Other favorite credits include: productions of 42nd Street (Billy Lawlor), Thoroughly Modern Millie, Hairspray, and Monty Python’s Spamalot. Kevin is a graduate of New York University’s CAP21 and is a proud member of Actors’ Equity. HUGE thanks to Keith and Vince, Nolan, Nikki and the entire staff and crew here at Ogunquit! Love to Christopher. For more info, visit www.kevinmetzger.com or tweet me @kevmetz.

VINCENT ORTEGA (Addams Ancestor/Dance Captain/Assistant Director/ Choreographer) is excited to debut here at the Oqunguit Playhouse. Broadway/Tours: Mamma Mia (Pepper/ Eddie US) Regional: Evita (Che/Perón US), Full Monty (Tony), Babes in Arms (Peter), The Christmas Rose (Premiere at Carnegie Hall), The Wedding Singer (Ensemble/US George), Young Frankenstein, Disney’s Aladdin (Aladdin), Sweet Charity, and Big River (Huck), Chorus Line (Al US Paul/Richie), and Spamalot. Film/TV: Movie 43, Enchanted, “Fame,” “Regis and Kelly,” “Ugly Betty,” “MTV Music Awards,” “American Music Awards,” Disney Channel and “Good Morning America.” He has worked with many pop artists for projects in music videos and tours including performing and choreography (Black Eyed Peas, Britney Spears and many more).Vince has had the privilege of working with the incredibly talented Keith Andrews (Director) and would like to thank him for his hard work, Laughs, and inspiration. Follow him on Twitter @VinceOrtega. Proud member of Actors Equity and the Screen Actors Guild.

KELLY SKIDMORE (Addams Ancestor) is thrilled to be a part of this amazingly kooky cast. She grew up in the great state of Ohio where she obtained a BA in Art Education. Currently, she resides in NYC with her talented hubby. Favorite past credits include: Backwards In High Heels (Ginger Rogers), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Ruth), Mame (Pegeen Ryan), Mack & Mabel, multiple productions of White Christmas and 42nd Street. Big thank yous go to Keith and Vince for all their time and talent. Love to my family who always travel to see every production.

CHELSEY WHITELOCK (Addams Ancestor) Chelsey is thrilled to be making her Ogunquit Playhouse debut with this spectacular group of idiots! Chelsey appeared on the 30th Anniversary National Tour of Annie and has performed regionally at such theatres as The Gateway (Spamalot, Hairspray, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Legally Blonde...etc) , The Fulton Opera House (Noises Off), St. Michael’s Playhouse (Shout, Young Frankenstein), Cumberland County Playhouse (Guys and Dolls, White Christmas) and Merry Go Round (Trailer Park) to name a few. Much love to Mikey and the Beans. Big Thanks to Keith, Vince, Brad, Jayme and the entire Ogunquit bunch!

MARSHALL BRICKMAN (Book) Film (as co-author): Sleeper, Annie Hall (Academy Award), Manhattan, Manhattan Murder Mystery; (as writer/director): Simon, Lovesick, The Manhattan Project, Sister Mary Explains it All. Television: “The Johnny Carson Show,” “The Dick Cavett Show” (head writer & producer). His first venture into musical theater, Jersey Boys, won an Olivier and four Tony Awards including Best Musical. In addition to his film, theater and television work, Mr. Brickman has been published in the New York Times, The New Yorker, Playboy and other periodicals and is the 2006 recipient of the Writers’ Guild of America Ian McClellan Hunter Award for lifetime achievement in writing. He lives and works in New York and hopes to die in his bed, surrounded by his loving family and their accountants.

RICK ELICE (Book) Co-wrote Jersey Boys (2006 Tony Award and 2009 Olivier Award for Best Musical) with Marshall Brickman. From 1982-1999, as creative director at Serino Coyne Inc., he produced ad campaigns for some 300 Broadway shows, from A Chorus Line to The Lion King. From 1999–2009, he served as creative consultant for The Walt Disney Studios. MFA, Yale Drama School; Teaching Fellow, Harvard University; charter member, American Repertory Theatre. Rick saw his first Broadway show when he was three. His mother said he was very well-behaved. From that day, he dreamed of working in the theatre. Since the age of 19, he has inspired by many artists whose names will be spoken as long as people gather in the darkness.

ANDREW LIPPA (Music and Lyrics) In addition to the Tony-nominated music and lyrics for the Broadway musical The Addams Family, Andrew wrote the music and lyrics for the Broadway musical, Big Fish, the words and music to the original theatrical oratorio I am Harvey Milk that received its world premiere in San Francisco in June, 2013 with the San Francisco Gay Mens’ Chorus, starring Laura Benanti and Mr. Lippa as Harvey Milk. He also wrote the music for the Broadway production of Aaron Sorkin’s play The Farnsworth Invention. Other musicals include: the Drama Desk award winning musical The Wild Party (book/music/lyrics), A Little Princess (music), jon & jen (music/co-wrote book), Asphalt Beach (music/lyrics) and You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown (additional music/lyrics and arrangements). Mr. Lippa was music director for Kristin Chenoweth’s sold-out shows at the Metropolitan Opera House, Carnegie Hall and others. Accolades include a Tony and Grammy nomination, the Gilman/Gonzalez-Falla Theater Foundation Award, ASCAP’s Richard Rodgers/New Horizons Award, The Drama Desk and The Outer Critics Circle Award. Andrew Lippa serves on the council of The Dramatists Guild and is a graduate of The University of Michigan School of Music.

KEITH ANDREWS (Director/Choreographer) is morbidly ecstatic to be back at Ogunquit. Previously at the Playhouse, Keith has directed and/or choreographed 9 to 5 - the Musical (starring Sally Struthers), Avenue Q, and The Full Monty. Earlier this summer, Keith directed and choreographed South Pacific at Gateway Playhouse’s Patchogue Theater and Young Frankenstein at Saint Michael’s Playhouse. Other productions include: the National Tours of The Full Monty and Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh, and regional productions of Spamalot, My Fair Lady, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (starring Joe Piscopo), The Wedding Singer, My Way (the Sinatra Tribute), Urinetown, Happy Days, The Drowsy Chaperone, The 25th Annual… Spelling Bee, Always... Patsy Cline, Dames at Sea, Breaking Up is Hard to Do, Barnum, Pump Boys and Dinettes, Little Shop of Horrors, The Pirates of Penzance, Big River, and Forever Plaid, to name just a few. As a choreographer, Keith has recently worked on The Gig at the New York Musical Theater Festival, and the world premiere of Love, Incorporated. He received an Innovative Theater Award for Best Production of a Musical and nomination for Best Choreography for his work on the show Like You Like It. On the ice, Keith has directed and choreographed Home for the Holidays - a Celebration on Ice, starring 2014 Olympic Gold Medalists Charlie White and Meryl Davis, and 2010 Olympic Gold Medalist Evan Lysacek, as well as two productions of Stars, Stripes and Skates, a benefit on ice to support survivors and families of 9/11. As a performer, Keith has toured all over the world with shows such as: West Side Story, Mame, Jesus Christ Superstar and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. In educational theater, Keith directs and choreographs student industry showcases at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC. Keith thanks Brad and Jayme for their endless help and hard work, and Vince for always having his back. KeithAndrewsonline.com.

NOLAN BONVOULOIR (Music Director) National Tours: The Addams Family, Rock of Ages, Monty Python’s Spamalot, Altar Boyz. Favorite regional credits include: productions of I Love a Piano, Nuncrackers, Anything Goes, and Thoroughly Modern Millie in California, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Maine. “We will someday be dead, but today blood pumps through our veins and breath fills our lungs and we walk the earth.”- Caitlin Doughty

RICHARD LATTA (Lighting Designer) in a long and varied career, is proud to have The Ogunquit Playhouse as a constant, designing well over 100 plays and musicals. In NYC he has designed Off Broadway including: A Majority of One (Obie nomination), The Jazz Singer, Little Ham, the Arthur Laurent’s plays Home of the Brave and Big Potato, Nunsense, Amen, Lava, Young Rube, Dudu Fisher, In Dreams, Pageant, and Nite Club Confidential. Broadway: Assistant projection designer on Thurgood starring Laurence Fishburne and The People In the Picture, also the opera Moby Dick (Dallas Opera, Kennedy Center) and Mazeppa (Met Opera). Regional: Cabaret, Fiddler on the Roof, The 39 Steps, Jekyll & Hyde, Annie, Joseph starring Andrea McArdle, Songs for A New World with Jason Robert Brown, Forever Plaid, 9 to 5 and many Shakespeares. Corporate Events: GM, Apple, IBM, General Foods, Hasbro Inc (5yrs) Jack Morton Productions, Encore Productions NY. (Associate Producer/Lighting Director- 5yrs), PDA (10yrs). Teaching artist for American Ballet Theater (10yrs). Tech consultant and designer for Newark Arts High (10yrs). Richard is grateful for the opportunity to help grow the Ogunquit Playhouse and salutes the hundreds of others who have participated through the years.

PHELIM McDERMOTT (Set and Costume Design) has been directing and performing since 1984. His initial shows include: Cupboard Man (Fringe First Award), Gaudete (Time Out Director’s Award), The Vinegar Works and The Sweet Shop Owner. He co-directed Shockheaded Peter (West End and Off-Broadway), winning an Olivier Award. His company Improbable’s award-winning shows include 70 Hill Lane, Lifegame, Spirit, Theatre of Blood and Philip Glass’ Satyagraha at the English National Opera. With Julian Crouch, he directed the Metropolitan Opera’s 125th Anniversary Gala. Improbable were awarded the Total Theatre Significant Contribution Award for their work in theatre including their Open Space events “Devoted & Disgruntled: What are we going to do about theatre?” Phelim improvises with The Comedy Store Players and is an honorary Doctor of

Middlesex University.

JULIAN CROUCH (Set and Costume Design) With Phelim McDermott, he designed and associate directed Philip Glass’ Satyagraha, at the English National Opera and the Met, the Met’s 125th Gala and The Enchanted Island. As co-founder of London’s Improbable Theatre he co-directed and de-signed the international sensation Shockheaded Peter. Other Improbable productions include: Animo, 70 Hill Lane, Lifegame, Coma, Spirit, Sticky, Cinderella, The Hanging Man, and The Wolves in the Walls. Designs include: Dr. Faustus, Improbable Tales, The Servant of Two Masters, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, the multi award-winning Jerry Springer The Opera, A Funny Thing... Forum for the National Theatre and Dr. Atomic at the Met. He is currently designing Christopher Wheeldon’s Cinderella for the Dutch National and San Francisco Ballet, and La Traviata for the Chicago Lyric Opera.

KEVIN HEARD (Sound Designer) is thrilled to be designing his first show in beautiful Ogunquit. New York design credits include: Broadway: The Country House (Associate), All The Way (Associate); Off-Broadway: Los Monologos de la Vagina (Assistant), Jasper in Deadland (Associate). He has designed and/or engineered well over 100 productions with companies from coast to coast including: Seattle Repertory Theatre, The Guthrie, ACT Theatre, Seattle Theatre Group, INTIMAN Theatre Festival, On the Boards, Village Theatre, Contemporary Classics, and the cabaret-cirque extravaganza Teatro ZinZanni. Kevin would like to thank the Ogunquit Playhouse family for quickly making him feel right at home.

BRITT E. GRIFFITH (Hair and Make-Up Designer) is proud to be joining the Ogunquit team. She has been working professionally in theater/film for the last 12 years. She arrived in Maine fresh from her contract with the international tour of The Addams Family. Previous tour credits include: the national tours of 39 Steps, Cabaret, and Oz: The Musical. Regional design credits include: Forbidden Broadway, Beauty and the Beast, Show Boat, and The Drowsy Chaperone. She would like to thank her nearest and dearest for always supporting her, with a special thanks to Mommy Dearest for being her biggest fan.

BASIL TWIST (Puppetry) received a Drama Desk Award for his work on The Addams Family. Credits: The Pee Wee Herman Show, Symphonie Fantastique, Petrushka, La Bella Dormente Nel Bosco, Dogugaeshi, Hansel and Gretel, Red Beads, Behind the Lid, Arias with a Twist and Beauty and the Beast on tour. He has received numerous awards and has partnered with the Spoleto Festival, Lincoln Center, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Atlanta and Houston Grand Operas and The Comedie Francaise. www.basiltwist.com

GEOF DOLAN (Technical Director) is returning for his 8th season as the Playhouse’s Technical Director and his 3rd as the overall Scenic Coordinator. Immediately prior to Ogunquit he served as Technical Director for Worcester Foothills Theatre. He has done supplemental design work for several shows and received 2014 BroadwayWorld.com’s Best Scenic Design in Maine for his work on Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Robert Kovach original design.) He is also the technical supervisor for the Children’s Theatre program. Geof began his technical career working backstage for both of his parents who are theatre directors and began his professional career at Sierra Repertory Theatre in California. For 5 years he split his seasons between Maine and Florida, working the same technical areas for the Orlando Shakespeare, but now he fills his off-season drafting, engineering and developing tour trollies for Molly Corp. His wife Cheryl, (Scenic Charge artist for the Playhouse) has designed award winning parade floats and designs many of the Children’s Theater Shows. His “born-in-a trunk” 13 year old daughter Ashlynn is an aspiring actress, musician and artist who hopes to make her Main Stage debut in the near future!

NIKKI LINT (Production Stage Manager) is delighted to be back at the Ogunquit Playhouse. Past shows include: Billy Elliot, West Side Story, 9 to 5, and Young Frankenstein. Other Stage Management credits include: 42nd Street, Grease, Cats, My Fair Lady (Gateway Playhouse); Annie, Other Desert Cities, Doubt, Music Man, Academy, Joseph and the Amazing Techinicolor Dreamcoat, Red (Maltz Jupiter Theatre), Rock Odyssey (Adrienne Arsht Center), Reverie (Second City), Forbidden Broadway, and American Girl Theatre, among others. Nikki was a Production Assistant on the 1st National Tour of Mary Poppins, and is a graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University. Proud member of Actor’s Equity Association.

DANIEL EVERETT (Assistant Stage Manager) saw his first production at the Ogunquit Playhouse at the age of eleven. Ogunquit Playhouse: Mary Poppins, Grease, Young Frankenstein, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. Off-Broadway: The Exonerated, Golda’s Balcony, Savage Acts. Regional: The King and I, 42nd Street (both at West Virginia Public Theatre), The Sound of Music (Paper Mill Playhouse). Special thanks to his family for all their support.

TIMOTHEY SULLIVAN (Production Manager) is thrilled to join the OPH team for their 2014 season! Most recently he worked for several years as a producer for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS; producing Broadway staples such as Broadway Backwards and Broadway Bares. Previous to his time at BC/EFA, Tim was the Production Director for the Tony Award winning Intiman Theatre in Seattle. He has also served as Production Manager for the Brown University/Trinity Rep MFA Program as well as the Drama Desk award winning Mint Theater. He has worked on production teams for several Broadway shows & National Tours, as well as the American Repertory Theatre, Trinity Rep, The Public, Lucille Lortel and New World Stages. He is also the Associate Director & Production Stage Manager for Charles Busch’s annual off – Broadway production of Times Square Angel.

JAYME MCDANIEL (Associate Producer) 2014 marks Jayme’s 4th season as Associate Producer for the legendary Ogunquit Playhouse. Last season he directed and choreographed Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat starring Clay Aiken and was awarded 2 Broadway World awards for his efforts. He also directed and choreographed the audience favorite Singin’ in the Rain here in 2009 and received an IRNE nomination for his choreography. Previously he acted as the Associate Artistic Director at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul, MN, where he had the fortunate opportunity to produce and direct several highly acclaimed and commercially successful productions. While in residence at the Ordway the Minneapolis Star Tribune lauded him as the Outstanding Director of a Musical for The Rocky Horror Show. As a Stage Director he has directed and/or choreographed Rebecca, the Musical at the LG Arts Center in Seoul, South Korea; Joseph… at North Shore Music Theatre, Singin’ in the Rain, Grey Gardens, The Sound of Music and Yankee Doodle at the Ordway; The Student Prince at Paper Mill Playhouse; Zorba & H.M.S. Pinafore for the Berkshire Theatre Festival, Violet, Candide & Drood with Connecticut Repertory; Always Patsy Cline, Evita, It’s a Fabulous Life, Chicago, Zombie Prom, The Merry Widow, People Like Us, They’re Playing Our Song and many others. As an Associate Director and/or Choreographer: Laughing Room Only (Broadway), White Christmas, Wonderful Town, Sound of Music, Yankee Doodle Dandy (5th Ave Theatre), Singin’ in the Rain (Theatre of the Stars) Camelot and Rags (Paper Mill), Nefertiti (Parker Playhouse), Crazy for You (Musical Theatre West) and The Music Man (CLOSBC). He’s enjoyed a career on the stage as well, most notably in the final national tour of Hello, Dolly! with Carol Channing.

BRADFORD T. KENNEY (Executive Artistic Director) is a New England based artistic director, producer, stage director and artist. Since joining the Ogunquit Playhouse in 2005, the Playhouse has doubled its audience growing from a single season summer stock theatre into one of the Northeast’s pre-eminent regional theatres with a three season performance schedule. During his stewardship, the Playhouse has garnered a number of awards and honors including the Moss Hart Award, Regional Theatre Award for Outstanding Achievement in the American Theatre from the New England Theatre Conference, multiple IRNE award nominations and a number of BroadwayWorld awards including Best Musical and others. Mr. Kenney is also noted for his work at Carnegie Hall including directing the holiday special The Christmas Rose starring Jane Seymour and producing An American Christmas Carol with Tim Janis also at Carnegie Hall. In New England, Mr. Kenney has been proud to be associated with a number of different theatre companies. Ogunquit highlights include Damn Yankees starring Carson Kressley, Sunset Blvd starring Stefanie Powers, Charles Shaughnessy and Rachel York in Monty Python’s Spamalot, Jefferson Mays in My Fair Lady, Lorenzo Lamas in The King and I, Rue McClanahan in Crazy for You, Sally Struthers in Hello, Dolly! and Andrea McArdle in Cabaret. He was also formerly the Artistic Director of the Foothills Theatre and Wachusett Theatre Companies in Massachusetts. He is a fourth generation plein air landscape artist, having studied with Beth Ellis, Rhode Island School of Design, Heartwood College of Art, and Maine College of Art. His artwork is represented by the Sea Bell Gallery, Shore Road, Ogunquit, Maine.

Kooky, Spooky, All Together Ooky - The Addams Family Broadway Musical to Open at the Ogunquit Playhouse

For Immediate Release:

September 23, 2014

“They’re creepy and they’re kooky, mysterious and spooky, they’re altogether ooky!” The Broadway musical sensation The Addams Family is on stage at the Ogunquit Playhouse October 1 through 26. Broadway’s Rachel de Benedet and David Engel star in this musical comedy that brings the beloved and bizarre first family of comedy to life, complete with show-stopping musical numbers, the Broadway set and costumes by Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch and puppets by the “inestimable” Basil Twist. Don’t miss the show that Bloomberg News declared, “Uproarious! A glitzy-gloomy musical entirely worthy of the macabre drawings by Charles Addams.”

From the creators of the Jersey Boys’ Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice and Drama Desk Award-winning composer/lyricist Andrew Lippa, the frightfully delightful world of Gomez, Morticia, Uncle Fester, Grandma, Wednesday, Pugsley and Lurch come to spectacular life in this all new story, based on the characters created by cartoonist Charles Addams. The magnificently morbid family is put to the test when outsiders come to dinner, hurling them into a night that will change their lives 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 The Addams Family characters that brought him his greatest acclaim. His unique drawings combined the twisted, macabre and just plain weird with charm, wit and enchantment. They have entertained millions worldwide and served as the inspiration for multiple television series, motion pictures and, now, a new stage musical.

Morticia will be played by award-winning actress Rachel de Benedet who returns to the Ogunquit Playhouse to reprise the role she played on Broadway opposite Nathan Lane. She last appeared on the Ogunquit stage as Anna in The King and I with Lorenzo Lamas. Ms. de Benedet has starred in many Broadway shows including Catch Me if You Can, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Nine starring Antonio Banderas and The Sound of Music. Her National Tours include Camelot as Guenevere opposite Lou Diamond Phillips and The Sound of Music as Elsa "The Baroness" opposite Richard Chamberlain, for which she won a Judy Award.

David Engel makes his Ogunquit Playhouse debut as Gomez after recently performing opposite Leslie Caron in the two-hander Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks at California’s renowned Laguna Playhouse. On Broadway Mr. Engel starred in Putting it Together, Seussical: The Musical and the original production of La Cage aux Folles. He also created the role of Smudge in the original New York production of Forever Plaid, and again in Plaid Tidings and Forever Plaid: The Movie. In addition he was paired romantically opposite RuPaul in the award-winning cult musical short film Zombie Prom.

Appearing as the parents of Wednesday’s love interest, Mal and Alice Beineke, are Larry Cahn and Laurie Wells. Mr. Cahn has appeared on Broadway in The Graduate, Guys & Dolls, Epic Proportions, Anything Goes and The Music Man. His National Tour credits include Ragtime, Lend Me A Tenor, and Elf. His many television appearances include The West Wing, Grey’s Anatomy, Law and Order, The Young and the Restless, and Another World. Ms. Wells appeared on Broadway and in the National Tour of the smash hit Mamma Mia! as well as the National Tour of Swing! She has appeared Off Broadway and in many regional theatres in City of Angels, 42nd Street, Ragtime, and My Fair Lady.

Jennifer Fogarty returns to the Ogunquit Playhouse to reprise her role as Wednesday after most recently appearing as Wednesday Addams on the International Tour of The Addams Family. She has performed on the Ogunquit Playhouse stage in The Sound of Music, All Shook Up, Pinkalicious and Disney’s High School Musical. Shaun Rice will reprise his role from the International Tour as Fester. He has also appeared in the National Tours of How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Gilligan’s Island the Musical. Also reprising their roles from the National and International Tours are Bryan Welnicki as Lucas Beineke and Amanda Bruton as Grandma. Matthew Quinn makes his Ogunquit Playhouse debut as Lurch.

Director/Choreographer for the Ogunquit production of the Addams Family is Keith Andrews. Mr. Andrews has directed and choreographed several shows for the Ogunquit Playhouse including, The Full Monty with Sally Struthers and Hunter Foster in 2007, Avenue Q in 2011, and 9 to 5 the Musical with Sally Struthers and Becky Gulsvig. His many stage credits include directing the National Tours of The Full Monty and Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh as well as regional productions of Young Frankenstein, The Drowsy Chaperone, The 25th Annual… Spelling Bee, Always... Patsy Cline, Dames at Sea, Breaking Up is Hard to Do, Barnum, Pump Boys and Dinettes, Little Shop of Horrors, The Pirates of Penzance, Big River, and Forever Plaid. As a choreographer, Keith has recently worked on The Gig at the New York Musical Theater Festival, and the world premiere of Love, Incorporated. He received an Innovative Theater Award for Best Production of a Musical and nomination for Best Choreography for his work on the show Like You Like It. Music Director for the Ogunquit production is Nolan Bonvouloir who recently worked as the Music Director on the National Tour of The Addams Family. His other National Tours include Rock of Ages, Monty Python’s Spamalot and Altar Boyz.

Tickets for The Addams Family are on sale now. Performances are Tuesday through Sunday. Single ticket prices start at $39 per show. To learn more about becoming an Ogunquit Playhouse member or season subscriber, or to purchase tickets and gift certificates, visit www.ogunquitplayhouse.org or call the Box Office at 207-646-5511.

In its typical creepy, kooky, mysterious, and spooky fashion, the ghoulish Addams family is visiting the graveyard for an annual gathering of all family members, living dead, and undecided, to celebrate what it is to be an Addams. However, the family encounters an unforeseen obstacle when Wednesday decides to introduce her new “normal” boyfriend Lucas to the family. In protest, Uncle Fester enlists the help of the Addams’ ancestors to call an end to the young budding romance. As Wednesday admits that she is falling in love, Morticia, Gomez, and Pugsley worry about her changing ways. As the families of Wednesday and Lucas come together for dinner one fateful evening, chaos ensues and the two families find themselves admitting deep secrets and coming together in ways they never would have imagined. The Addams Family Broadway Musical tells the story of love and friendship through adversity, with a comical and macabre yet poignant spin.