Loveland Stage Company’s The New Mel Brooks Musical
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN Opens in October
The Loveland Stage Company’s fall show, The New Mel Brooks Musical YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, opens on October 10, 2014 and continues for three weekends. The musical was adapted by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan from the 1974 hilarious film, Young Frankenstein. Mel Brooks also wrote the music and lyrics while Susan Stroman directed and choreographed the original Broadway show.
Award winning Tom Cavano is leading the core of the production staff that brought Mel Brook’s The Producers to Loveland. The stage story of YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN opens in the town of Transylvania Heights, Romania, in the year 1934. The ensemble as the villagers are celebrating the funeral procession of the mad scientist, Dr. Victor von Frankenstein. However, Inspector Kemp (played by Joe Wahler) dampens their celebration by informing them that Victor has an heir, grandson Dr Frederick Frankenstein who lives in New York, USA. The village idiot, Ziggy (played by Megan Archibald), convinces the other villagers that there is no way a New York doctor would come to Transylvania and they continue the celebration with the Broadway hit tune “The Happiest Town In Town.”
Frederick (played by Matt Schiesl) who is Dean of Anatomy at the Johns, Miriam and Anthony Hopkins School of Medicine in New York learns that he has inherited his grandfather’s estate. He decides to resolve the issue of the property and bids farewell to his fiancée Elizabeth Benning (played by Orchid winner Michelle Faulkner) who reminds him that she is trying to abstain from a physical relationship with her song “Please Don’t Touch Me.”
Young Frankenstein played by Matt Schiesl rehearsing a dance step with choreographer Sonja Hansen.
Arriving at Transylvania Heights, Frederick is greeted by the hunchback Igor (played by John Sloan), who is the grandson of Victor’s grave digger. Igor convinces Frederick to continue in his grandfather’s footsteps and introduces him to the beautiful lab assistant Inga (played by Orchid winner Katie McCarthy). The three join together and reanimate a body and other parts dug-up by Igor. “It’s alive!” Frederick exclaims as he brings to life a creature (played by Orchid winner Tom Morris) to rival his grandfather’s. Eventually, of course, the monster escapes and everyone searches for him including Frau Blucher (played by Carissa Griffith), grandfather Victor’s housekeeper with benefits. Hilarity continuously abounds in the remaining scenes.
These Loveland Stage Company leads and the ensemble are working hard in rehearsing choreographer Sonja Hansen’s energetic dance routines to fulfill this “demanding” part of the script. Tom Cavano has cast other veterans in several more leading roles and experienced dancers and singers in the ensemble, including Michael Acheson, Cathryn Alter, Robert Baker, Amanda Caruso, Becky Cole, Marvel Gentry Davis, Gary Giver, Ken Macke, Denise Mann, John Masterson, Scott Morgan, Jane Muennich, Laurie Murphy, Alex Ross, April D Smith, Richard Lee Waldeck and Marjorie Wilson.
Choreographer Sonja Hansen directing dance number with Katie McCarthy,
John Sloan and Matt Schiesl.
Award winning Music Director Jack Hasty’s attention to good vocalization with every note of the lyrics is evident when the energetic cast sings the many memorable musical tunes, such as “The Transylvania Mania,” “He Vas My Boyfriend” and “Listen To Your Heart”.
The co-producers. K Buckler and Pat Furterer, are working again with a production crew that have won individual and group community theater awards. Their eerie costumes, spooky sets and hilarious special effects will surely be appreciated by the audience.
The New Mel Brooks Musical YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN is scientifically-proven, monstrously good entertainment. Don’t miss it. Tickets are available for evening performances at 7:30 pm on October 10, 11, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25 or matinee performances at 3:00 pm on October 12 and 19. To order tickets please visit our website at http://www.lovelandstagecompany.org or call 513-443-4LSC (4572). All performances are held at the Loveland Stage Company Theatre, 111 Second Street, Loveland, Ohio 45140.
Loveland Stage Company’s Young Frankenstein on the Cathode Ray Tube
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 