APA’s ‘Young Frankenstein’ Is A Monster Hit

It’s alive! 

“Young Frankenstein” opened last week at the Academy of Performing Arts and brought a frightfully fun night of humor and song to the stage. 

The musical is based on the 1974 Mel Brooks film and was written by Brooks and Thomas Meehan. The movie featured a star-studded cast including Gene Wilder, Peter Boyle, Cloris Leachman and Gene Hackman. 

At its core “Young Frankenstein” is a wildly fun parody of Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein.” The musical hit Broadway in 2007 and  went on to be nominated for several Tony Awards in 2008 including an Outer Circle Critic’s Award for Best Musical. 

In the story, the audience is whisked back in time to Transylvania and a world of castles and hunchbacks, mad science and monsters, all combined with classic Mel Brooks humor and musical satire.

APA’s production is directed by Karen Hepinstall, with musical direction from Chris Morris and choreography by Emma Taylor. Audiences should note that there are some loud noises and flashes, and some scenes with mature content and innuendo.

Major kudos to the technical team at APA and makeup artist DJ Kostka for pulling off the unbelievable achievement of presenting this show in black and white! Yes, you heard that right. “Young Frankenstein” is a musical that is completely in black and white. This was a powerful artistic move for APA and it truly paid off. 

To achieve the effect, the technical team employed several techniques like intricate lighting and muted costumes mixed with impeccable grayscale body coverings, a monochromatic set design and graytone makeup. All of these visual elements combined were beyond impressive, making for pure live theater magic.

The talent in “Young Frankenstein” brought their A-games, and every scene and every song delivered big laughs and entertainment. Kevin Kenneally portrayed Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, grandson of the original Dr. Frankenstein, who is played by Andrew Haber. In the role of the loveable hunchbacked lab assistant and sidekick Igor is Suzanne Fecteau. With her shifting hump and deliberately deadpan comedic timing, Fecteau was frightfully flawless as Igor and impossible to look away from. Fecteau and Kenneally were hilarious in their duet “Together Again for the First Time.”

One of the biggest personalities on stage in “Young Frankenstein” comes from the Monster, played by Jeff Almeida. With all of his grunting and grumbling, Almeida captivates the audience with his antics. Almeida and Kenneally put on an unforgettable and utterly fun performance of Irving Berlin’s famous “Puttin’ on the Ritz” in Act II alongside the rest of the cast. 

Rachel Hischak shines in the role of Frederick’s fiance Elizabeth Benning, absolutely killing it with her hilarious solo numbers “Please Don’t Touch Me” and “Deep Love.” 

Billy Weimer portrays Inspector Hans Kemp. Weimer will have you laughing out loud with his intense German accent and constant limb adjustments due to his wooden leg and arm.

Two women who knocked it out of the park in “Young Frankenstein” were Erica Morris playing lab assistant Inga and Julia Randall playing housekeeper Frau Blucher. Morris’s bubbly and bouncy persona made for an incredibly lovable Inga. Randall delivered huge comic relief portraying the serious and devoted housekeeper who can even frighten the castle’s horses (just watch, you’ll see).

Other members of this incredibly talented cast included Todd Cashdollar as the Hermit, Mark Roderick as Ziggy, Liam Goley as both Mr. Hilltop and Count Dracula and Justin McGee as the Steward. Portraying the students and general ensemble are Lizzy Smythe, Gianna Casale, Alison Hyder, Deanna Dziedzina, Todd Sadler and Lawrence O’Regan-Lloyd.

“Young Frankenstein” runs about two hours with one intermission and is showing through Nov. 2. This show is electrically entertaining for this spooky Halloween season and will leave you in stitches laughing all the way home.

DETAILS:

“Young Frankenstein”

At the Academy of Performing Arts, Main Street, Orleans

Through Nov. 2, Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 7 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m.

Information and reservations: 508-255-1963, academyplayhouse.org