Issue #228: June 1, 2009

• It looks like the roles of Morticia and Gomez have been cast…Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth are on board for the new musical The Adams Family when it arrives next season.  Joining the creative team is choreographer Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys) along book writers Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice (Jersey Boys). 

• Opening on December 6 at the Ethel Barrymore will be David Mamet’s new play Race. 

• Singer Ashanti makes her stage debut at the celebrated New York City Encores! Summer Stars production of The Wiz which runs at New York’s City Center from June 12 to July 5.  

• On September 22 at Studio 54 you can catch Carrie Fisher in her latest solo show Wishful Drinking.

• It looks like Hairspray is heading out to sea.  Apparently the producers have partnered with Royal Caribbean to stage a 90-minute version of the musical on its new cruise ship Oasis.  This Broadway venture sets sail in December.

• Stage veteran Elaine Stritch headlines a production of The Full Monty at the Paper Mill Playhouse beginning June 10 until July 12.  

• Matthew Modine heads to L.A. for the September 16 opening of Saves the Alpacas at the Geffen Playhouse.

• There are rumblings that Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber is planning on mounting a production of The Wizard of Oz with him penning additional songs an lyrics by Glenn Slater (The Little Mermaid).  Don’t look for any major movement for this until well into 2010.