Christina Ricci and Bebe Neuwirth, who share an unlikely connection as Addams Family members, although at different times and different mediums, will team up for Shakespeare’s flight of fancy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream Off Broadway.
Ricci, who recently wrapped shooting ABC’s new television drama “Pan Am,” will team with Neuwirth for the Classic Stage Company’s production of the Bard’s whimsical play.
Ricci will play Hermia, the small but wiry Athenian. Shakespeare describes her as “a vixen… And though she be but little, she is fierce.”
Neuwirth, a stage veteran, will star as fairy queen, Titania.
Ricci has a long string of movie credits on her resume, but only debuted on the stage last year in “Time Stands Still,” a play by Donald Margulies about love set against the Iraq War.
Ricci played Mandy, a role originated by Alicia Silverstone, who is the girlfriend of a tough-minded newspaper editor.
He’s trying to coax back to sanity two journalists scarred emotionally by the war and Mandy lacks the intellectual depth to comprehend exactly what happened or how she can help.
The New York Daily News called her “delightfully natural on stage.”
Her breakout movie role came at 11 when she played Wednesday Addams in “The Addams Family” movie and its sequel.
Neuwirth originated the role of Morticia in the “Addams Family” Broadway musical, which just ended a successful run.
Tony Speciale will direct the Classic Stage production, performances beginning March 28 and running through May 6.
