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Young Frankenstein Review |
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Written by Sarah
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The New Mel Brooks Musical, Young Frankenstein (to use the full title) was amazing! But first, I'll start off with an overview of the plot and go from there.
Dr. Frankenstein (who created the original Frankenstein's Monster) has died, and his only living descendant is his grand son, Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (that's FRONK-en-steen!). Frederick is a celebrated professor of the brain, and, despite his parentage, insists that he is only interested in it because of its complexities, and not because he may one day make another monster like his grandfather.
Frederick receives a letter from the lawyer that handles his grandfather's estate that tells him that he has inherited his grandfather's castle/mansion in Transylvania heights. Frederick accepts the house and travels to Transylvania in order to get all other affairs involving his grandfather's estate in order. Upon arrival, Frederick meets Igor (it's EYE-gor!), who is the grandson of the late laboratory assistant to Dr. Victor von Frankenstein, Inga, a country wench whom Frederick hires to be his personal assistant in Transylvania, and Frau Blucher (*horse whinnying*), the housekeeper and ex-girlfriend to Dr. Victor von Frankenstein.
Frederick lives in the castle for a while and enjoys himself. However, despite his insistances that he will not create another monster, he discovers the secret laboratory/library of his grandfather and decides to make one after all. With the help of Igor, Inga, and Frau Blucher (*horse whinnies*), Frederick successfully creates a monster. Unfortunately, and subsequently, all hell breaks loose.
I won't say much else about the plot, because I dont want to give it away for people who want to see it. But, I must say, the production was amazing, and, with with some trimming and revisioning here and there, can become a huge hit.
Roger Bart as Frederick gives a spot-on performance and makes the part his own without doing an impression of Gene Wilder (the original Frederick in the 1974 movie that the musical is based on). Frederick's transformation from sane professor of the brain to insane doctor of reanimating corpses is believable, and one can tell that he wants to fight it in the beginning, but eventually gives in to his ancestry.
The rest of the cast is wonderful as well, with knockout performances from Christopher Fitzgerald (Igor), Andrea Martin (Frau Blucher), Megan Mullally (Elizabeth, Frederick's wife), and Sutton Foster (Inga). Fitzgerald, Mullally, and Martin are hilarious, and Foster dances up a storm and makes me so jealous of her ability to kick so her leg is parallel to her body, which she does often with the ensemble cast in the First Act Finale, "Transylavania Mania," which leads me to choreography, so. . . .
Susan Stroman is at the top of her game with this show, with each choreographed number outdoing its predesessor. In the song "Please Don't Touch Me," Elizabeth's explanation of why Frederick can't so much as give her a hug as he says goodbye when leaving for Transylvania, there is an ingenious dance sequence in which the two of them are dancing together -- without even touching each other! "Puttin' on the Ritz," the musical number in which Frederick introduces The Monster (Shuler Hensley) to the public with a song and dance routine, has an electrifying tap routine and a hilarious shadow dance involving a second dancer with The Monster, a scrim, and a bright light. Which leads me to the sets. . . .
The sets are gorgeous and amazing at the same time. There is this scene in which Frederick, Igor, and Inga travel in a hay cart to the castle. The way they stage this scene is very awesome. All you see is the back of the cart, and when it sets off, it starts rocking side to side as if it is moving, while shadows produced by lights that represent trees start moving on either side of the cart to give the impression that it is moving. It was so cool, I still can't get over it!
Wow, this is getting long, so I think I'll just end it here and say that it was a great show, and I highly reccomend it to those who wish to see a production that is hilarious, with sets, choreography, and acting that will knock your socks off.
If you want to know more, feel free to send me a message at any time!
Peace!
Sarah
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