Broderick, Jackman, Baranski and More Weigh in on Opening Night Nerves

Last week, Cindy Adams of the New York post polled the starry attendees of the recent ADDAMS FAMILY opening to find out what it really feels like to open a Broadway show and how the seemingly invincible performers temper their nerves.  Broadway vets such as Hugh Jackman, Matthew Broderick, Christine Baranski and more weighed in on the question, all conceding that the experience is nothing short of terrifying. 

Says Jackman:"The whole experience is plain terrifying. An hour and a half ago, I was home putting on my tie and actually thinking, 'God, I can't believe what these actors must be going through. I mean, the pressure!'

Says Broderick: "Oh, there is no way around it. It's awful. You think to yourself, 'Why did I ever agree to do this? Nothing is worth what I'm going through.'... I wish I could tell you a way to handle opening night panic and fear, but I don't know of any way to handle opening night panic and fear. I only know we all get it."

To decompress, Baranski admits: "I exercise, have tea, say prayers to the god of this and the god of that . . . anything, anyone I can think of. Doesn't help. Nothing helps. It's just terrifying."

Even ADDAMS FAMILY Creative Consultant Jerry Zaks weighed in, revealing the experience is gut-wrenching even for those off stage: "Look, the awful frustration is at this opening night point, you know there is just no longer anything you can do about anything."

To read the full report in the New York Post, click here.

THE ADDAMS FAMILY opened at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on April 8, 2010 to tepid reviews.  The show stars 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 Grandma, Zachary James as Lurch, Adam Riegleras Pugsley, Wesley Taylor as Lucas Beineke and Krysta Rodriguez as Wednesday.

THE ADDAMS FAMILY has 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), choreography bySergio Trujillo (Next to Normal, Jersey Boys) and creative consulting by Jerry Zaks. For tickets and more information, visit www.theaddamsfamilymusical.com.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.