Mel Brooks’ musical version of his 1974 film Young Frankenstein opened this past week on the ATI stage in the Studio Theater in Carmel, directed by Darrin Murrell, with Musical Direction by Nathan Perry and Choreography by Carol Worcel.
The show is a direct relative of the movie, aiming to keep intact most of the shtick-filled comedic journey that was presented in the film version, while adding shtick-filled songs about nearly everything that occurs. If you loved the movie, you’ll love the musical’s crazy ride as most every gag and joke is present – the big knockers, the neighing horse, the roll in the hay (presented with panache on a hayride wagon), the ‘he vas my boyfriend’, the moving hump, the hot soup in the lap, and the sweet mystery of life – indeed all the double entendre, innuendo-filled and wordplay gagging that Brooks is so famous for. (Some would say he is a genius, some would say he is just silly – I think he is just a silly genius.)
All this action is merrily presented by Murrell’s top-notch cast.
Frederick (Ben Asaykwee) with Inga (Sophie Jones). (Photo by Rob Slaven / IndyGhostLight.com)
Ben Asaykwee takes the role of Frederick Frankenstein and does a great job parodying the film’s star Gene Wilder in tone and delivery. He is joined by John Vessels Jr. as the movable humped Igor, Sophie Jones as the quite comely lab assistant Inga, Julie Lyn Barber as Frau Blucher (cue the horse whinnies), Megan Arrington-Marks as Frederick’s self-centered fiancée Elizabeth, and Craig Underwood, outstanding as the larger than life monster. Adam B. Shapiro joins in the fun as the blind Hermit and Eric Olson is notable as a shticky Inspector Kemp.
As I say, musical numbers abound throughout the show – there are 11 in the one-hour first act alone (and 11 more in the shorter second act) – and the company, bolstered by a corps of hard working and talented ensemble players, makes nearly every one of the songs a Brooksian spectacle.
The designers also bring a great deal to the show – with Jay Gantz (Scenic), Dustin Druckman (Lighting), Geoff Lynch (Sound), Andrew Elliot (Wigs and Makeup), and Anthony Sirk (Costumes) all pitching in to create the effects necessary for this production.
Bottom line: Okay, not everyone enjoys and appreciates the Mel Brooks style of comedy and storytelling. Admittedly, his is a specialized kitsch. ATI’s efforts here are a shining celebration of the comic master’s work – like it or not.
Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein continues at ATI’s Studio Theater in the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel through Nov. 9. You can get information about the schedule and tickets by calling (317) 843-3800 or by logging onto atistage.org.
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