TVSquad

The Addams Family is coming back. No, this times it's not a TV series, nor a motion picture. No, this time Broadway is taking Charles Addams' amazing dysfunctional gothic family and putting their antics to music. That's right, The Addams Family is becoming a Broadway musical.

One of the things that sounds really promising about the musical is the casting. The two leads seem perfect for their roles -- Nathan Lane as Gomez and Bebe Neuwirth as Morticia. They're both like cartoon characters already, and in that bizarro world, they should be right at home. Hams on parade ... with music! It sounds glorious.

You know, The Addams Family has proven to be a property that lends itself to adaptation. The original TV series that premiered in 1964 with John Astin and Carolyn Jones was great, even though it only lasted for 64 episodes. There were two feature films, The Addams Family and Addams Family Values. Both terrific. There were even two animated spinoffs.

Let's hope that Broadway doesn't kill the golden goose. The plot for the musical sounds okay; they're keeping the action to one night. Wednesday is older, age 18, which challenges the family dynamics. Morticia is conflicted about her little girl becoming a woman, Gomez wants everything to stay the same, and then some strangers come to dinner. And did I mention that they'll be singing and dancing, too! Music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa.

The out-of-town tryout for The Addams Family begins Friday the 13th -- how appropriate -- in Chicago. That's tonight. It hits Broadway in March 2010.

[If you want to see The Addams Family TV show, go to SlashControl.]