Neuwirth to headline 'Addams' musical

NEW YORK, June 26 (UPI) -- U.S. stage and television actress Bebe Neuwirth reportedly is set to play Morticia in a new $10 million Broadway musical version of "The Addams Family."

Neuwirth played Lilith Sternin Crane on the TV sit-coms "Cheers" and "Frasier," and has starred in the Broadway revivals of "Chicago," "Damn Yankees" and "Sweet Charity."

The New York Post said Nathan Lane of "The Producers" fame has been offered the role of Gomez in the new "Addams Family" show inspired by Charles Addams' cartoons and sketches about an eccentric family.

Although a deal has not yet been signed, a source told the Post the part Lane was offered "is probably too good to pass up."

The roles of Morticia and Gomez were previously played by Carolyn Jones and John Astin in a 1960s television series, while Anjelica Huston and Raul Julia played the parts in two films in the 1990s.