“Don’t torture yourself, Gomez – that’s my job.” – Morticia Addams

St. Paul’s Ordway Center for the Performing Arts has a piece of the action in a new musical version of “The Addams Family” that’s slated to open on Broadway in April with a stellar cast led by Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth.

The Ordway’s involvement is through Five Cent Productions, a collaborative that spreads the risk between various groups. Ordway President/CEO Patricia Mitchell says Five Cent Productions was formed in 2006 and invested in another producing outfit called Elephant Eye Theatrical for major stage projects.

“It’s especially gratifying to have the first one, ‘The Addams Family,’ come to fruition with a brilliant and exciting cast and creative team,” Mitchell said in a prepared statement. The list of backers also includes three other producers, which is typical of mega-budget shows.

The new show opens first in Chicago in November for the out-of-town shakedown. In addition to Lane and Neuwirth -- who, needless to say, are playing Gomez and Morticia -- the cast includes Kevin Chamberlin as Uncle Fester, Jackie Hoffman as Grandmama, Zachary James as Lurch, Adam Reigler as Pugsley, and Krysta Rodriguez as Wednesday (she’s an 18-year-old in this version). All are Broadway veterans.

The plot for the latest incarnation based on the cartoons of Charles Addams revolves around adolescent passions that inflame Wednesday on her 18th birthday – including a disgusting urge to care for another person.

Characters integral to the plot are played by Terrence Mann and Carolee Carmello as a couple of visitors to the Addams mansion. Both are two-time Tony Award nominees

The book is by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, who were librettists for “Jersey Boys.” Music and lyrics are by Andrew Lippa, who has a long list of non-Broadway shows and conducting credits and has been the longtime music director for Kristin Chenoweth.

Believe it or not, group ticket sales are already available by calling 1-877-ADDAMS1. And there’s a nifty website complete with creepy mansion. Go here to see it.