The Addams Family's Jackie Hoffman Recalls 'Dancing Like Tom Cruise' Courtesy of Harvey Fierstein

Given the amount of time Broadway actors spend at work, it’s no surprise that they enjoy a good joke—often at a co-worker’s expense! In celebration of April Fool’s Day, Broadway.com asked some of our favorite stars to share their funniest work-related pranks. In some cases, the stars initiated the practical joke; in others, the joke was on them. Read on for true tales of behind-the-scenes tomfoolery.

JACKIE HOFFMAN (Grandma in The Addams Family)

"During the run of Hairspray, Harvey Fierstein, who was notorious for never calling out, brilliantly staged an absence: the sign-in sheet, the understudy in his chair, the whole thing. Dick Latessa [who played Wilbur Turnblad opposite Harvey as Edna] and I were freaking and dancing like Tom Cruise in Risky Business. At half hour, Harvey got on the intercom and announced that it was an April Fool's joke. Needless to say, I probably won't be landing a role in La Cage aux Folles anytime soon."