YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
October 25, 2009
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
When Producer, Director, Writer, Comedian Mel Brooks made his 1960's film The Producers into a Broadway musical I immediately started planning a trip to New York. The movie, starring Zero Mostel, Gene Wilder, and Dick Shawn was a funny escape and enjoyable film. However, how could anyone imagine. . except perhaps, Brooks himself or his director/choreographer Susan Stroman that the Broadway musical version of The Producers would win a record-setting 12 Tonys and become the greatest musical comedy in Broadway history?! The run on Broadway lasted for years. The touring troupe traveled the Country to the delight of millions. Following this enormous success, the question facing Brooks was. . "What next"?
He then began rewriting his 1974 film classic Young Frankenstein and remaking it into a Broadway musical. Brooks efforts were tragically interrupted with the passing of his beloved wife, Academy award winning actress Anne Bancroft.
Brooks decided that Bancroft would want him to finish the project. . .and he did! The Broadway musical just completed a 2-week run in Cleveland. Much of the Broadway cast were part of the touring troupe, including Roger Bart in the lead role of Dr. Frederick Frankenstein. The very talented and versatile Bart was also part of Brooks' incredible Producers cast. He originated the role of Carmen Ghia and received a Tony nomination. Brooks did well to cast Bart as the mad doctor. But. . as entertaining as he is in the role, I couldn't stop thinking about Gene Wilder from the movie. Young Frankenstein was originally written by Wilder teaming up with Brooks only after he had been assigned to direct the film. I feel the same way about Cory English who plays Igor in the stage version. He's funny and he's a talented singer and dancer but watching him perform at Playhouse Square once again made me think of the movie version, and the incredible Marty Feldman. As good as Bart is as the doctor and English, as the deformed demented loyal assistant, the Wilder-Feldman combo is one for the classics!
Shuler Hensley (the monster), Brad Oscar (Inspector Kemp/hermit), Beth Curry (Elizabeth), Joanna Glushak (Frau Blucher), and Anne Horak (Inga) are all fabulous in the musical. They are all great singers and dancers. Brooks once again called upon Susan Stroman to choreograph and direct the piece. Brooks genius is evident in all of the songs he wrote and composed for the musical. His presence is felt throughout the entire play. Is it as good as The Producers? No, but how could one expect it to be? Is it as good as the movie? No, and doesn't that prove how truly special The Producers really is?
Who knows if Young Frankenstein will tour Cleveland again? I highly recommend you do not miss it. In the meantime. . .you can always rent the movie version and be delightfully entertained.
Love Ya' Cleveland!
