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Arts & Entertainment

Young Broadway Actor Preps for Halloween Gigs

Adam Riegler, "The Addams Family" star, will make offstage appearances to mark the holiday.

Halloween will be particularly sweet this year for Adam Riegler, 12, of Westport.

Riegler, who plays Pugsley Addams  in the Broadway show "The Addams Family" will take on two additional roles during the Halloween season.

On Oct. 24 he will lead a costumed parade as part of  "Boo at the Zoo"  at the Bronx Zoo.

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On Oct. 31, he will fulfill the responsibilities of national ambassador for Kids' Night on Broadway (KNOB)  in New York.

KNOB is a national audience development program of The Broadway League.  In addition to show discounts and parking and restaurant deals, kids are invited to a free pre-theater costume party at Madame Tussauds wax museum. Broadway trick-or-treating and other events will round out the offerings.

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The character of Pugsley blends nicely with the holiday theme on the Great White Way, say event organizers. "We were looking for an ambassador who had a tie to Broadway and Halloween and Pugsley seemed like the perfect fit," explained Erica Ryan, Broadway League's communications manager,  government relations. "And,  knowing how professional Adam is -- especially at such a young age -- we knew he'd be the perfect person to ask."

For Riegler, the appointment is an ideal match. He has theater experience, a longstanding love of KNOB,  a passion for Halloween and talent for creative costuming. "Halloween is one of the greatest days of the year for kids, and Broadway is great for kids," he says. "My family has been going to KNOB for years and I know what a great event it is."

He notes that kids who atttend an Oct. 31 matinee will have time to get home for Halloween trick or treating.

He plans to do the same once his responsibilities  conclude. Following the Oct. 31 matinee, Riegler will be found in Westport, going door to door, costumed as Remus Lupin, a character from the Harry Potter series of books.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 31, KNOB ticket holders will have the opportunity to tour the famed Times Square wax museum attraction for free, enjoying unique activities along the way. To celebrate Halloween, there will be festive Broadway costume events, stage door trick-or-treating, and more treats.

"We're asking kids to come dressed in costume as their favorite Broadway characters," says Riegler. "I can't wait to look out at the audience to see all of the Pugsleys!"

KNOB is presented by The New York Times and is officially sponsored by Madame Tussauds New York. This special Halloween edition of Kids' Night is supported by Playbill and will salute UNICEF and the 60th anniversary of its Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF program, which, since its inception, has raised nearly $160 million for lifesaving programs worldwide.

To purchase tickets to KNOB or for more information --  including lists of discounted restaurants and parking garages -- visit www. KidsNightonBroadway.com. Tickets can also be purchased via broadwayoffers.com or ticketmaster.com or at the individual theater box offices. USE CODE KNOB2010.

Participating shows in the KNOB event include "The Addams Family," "American Idiot," "Billy Elliot," "Chicago," "Fela," "La Cage Aux Folles," "The Lion King," " Lombardia," "Mama Mia!", "Mary Poppins," "Memphis," "Next to Normal," "The Pitmen Painters," "Wicked" and  "Promises, Promises,"  among others.

The Oct. 24 celebration, presented by "The Addams Family," is part of monthlong festivities being offered at the Bronx Zoo.  Riegler and a fellow cast member will lead a costume parade at 11:30 a.m.

 Throughout October "Boo at the Zoo" events will include Haunted Safari, live music, a hay maze, a hay ride, craft workshops, pumpkin-carving demonstrations, animal-themed magic shows and more.

"The Addams Family" is Riegler's second stint in a Broadway show. He made his Broadway debut in Dreamworks' "Shrek the Musical," where he originated the roles of Young Shrek/Dwarf. His off Broadway credits include "I and Albert," "A Tribute to Joseph Stein" and "Intervention." He also portrayed Cubby Bernstein: Tony Campaign Manager in a series of web advertisements for the Broadway production "Xanadu."

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