Frankly, “Young Frankenstein”… (pronounced “Fronk-in-steen”) is frighteningly fantastic! This summer, Bay Street Theater in association with Berkshire Theater Group & Geva Theatre Center brings us Mel Brook’s the musical version of his hysterical 1974 blockbuster film to the wharf in Sag Harbor. But beware, this theatrical production is not for the squeamish, wilting flower types, this show has enough titillating high-energy song and dance numbers, electrifying sound effects as well as multiple sexual innuendos to wake the dead… (pun intended).
As the story goes, the main character, Dr. Frederick Frankenstein travels to Transylvania to claim his inheritance after discovering that his notorious mad scientist grandfather, Dr. Victor Frankenstein’s, has passed away. Upon his arrival, he meets his new accommodating assistants; the disfigured hunched-back Igor and Inga, the overly amorous lab tech who talents in the sack are second only to her yodeling skills as well as the equally odd caretaker, Frau Blucher, grandfather’s “girlfriend.” Frederick quickly becomes intrigued by his grandfather’s failed science experiments and is convinced he has the solution — to resurrect the dead. Dun dun duun!
Throughout all the crazy shenanigans of exhuming a body from the cemetery and stealing brains to create the perfect monster, the audience escapes into this wildly fun adventure with show-stopping songs like “Putting on the Ritz” and several other vaudevillian tap ensemble routines performed to perfection, never mind some of the best vocal performances I’ve heard on and Off-Broadway in a long time… these actors are all triple threats to say the least!
One can’t help but compare the original cast of characters from the film version made famous by legendary actors: Gene Wilder, Marty Feldman, Terry Garr, Cloris Leachman, Madeline Kahn, Gene Hackman who played the blind man and Peter Boyle as the monster. Trust me when I tell you, this cast of actors at Bay Street under the direction of Gerry McIntyre are surprisingly equally gifted and will make you laugh and smile for several weeks after. On the evening that I attended, they received a standing ovation from the entire audience. Enough said!
Mel Brooks, “Young Frankenstein, The Musical” is on stage at Bay Street Theater only through September 1, so like the advertisements says, “Make Dead Sure You See It.”
For tickets go to baystreet.org or call the box office 631-725-9500.