By Jennifer Joyce
The show begins with a heart-pounding overture, accompanied by flashes of loud, crackling thunder and lightning. During Act 1, sparks fly with more flashes of lightning while the audience watches a crazy scientist suspended 10 feet in the air trying to reanimate a dead body. Suddenly, groans are heard from the giant body on the slab. The crazy scientist then mutters the classic lines: “It’s alive. It’s alive! It’s alive!” What does all this mean? It means Mel Brooks is back on Broadway with his monster musical “Young Frankenstein.” With a great cast, awesome special effects and fun music, one will walk away having thoroughly enjoyed his or her time in the theater.
The cast is amazing. With many big-name, award-winning celebrities on stage, there wasn’t a moment in the show when the audience wasn’t mesmerized and laughing hysterically at each scene. In this production, Emmy winner Megan Mullally plays Elizabeth (the classic Madeline Kahn role), Tony-winner Sutton Foster plays Inga, the sexy lab assistant, Emmy-winner Andrea Martini plays Frau Blucher and Tony-winner Shuler Hensley plays the Monster, the creation that is brought to life. However, as great as these performers are, the two leading men really steal the show.
One of those men is Tony winner Roger Bart, who plays Young Frederick Frankenstein himself. In 1999, Bart won a Tony for his portrayal of Snoopy in “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” and maybe it’s time he should get another one. In this show, he not only acts the part, he becomes the part. Bart was fascinating to watch with his wonderful facial expressions and great comedic timing. He not only is a great actor and a great singer, but most important of all, he is hysterical! Watching his performance was highly enjoyable. The other man who stole the show was Christopher Fitzgerald, who plays the role of Igor. Just like his “master,” Fitzgerald was born to play this part, and hopefully he will get a Tony this year as well. He is a fabulous actor and singer and very funny. If there is no other reason to see this show, see it to watch these two men and their excellent, memorable performances.
If there’s one thing Mel Brooks is well known for, it’s for giving the audience many surprises in his movies. In this show, he gives even more surprises through his use of special effects. Not only are there enormous TV screens to display the thunder and lightning that occur, but there are also numerous sparks flying in the elaborate laboratory set-especially when Frankenstein is bringing his creation to life! This show has maybe the most spectacular, powerful special effects on Broadway-they were truly amazing.
Brooks also knows how to give his shows the proper look. With designer William Ivey Long (“The Producers”), each character comes to life in fabulous costumes. Frederick looks like the perfect mad scientist, Igor still has his classic look with his creepy, beady eyes (and his “movable” hump) and Inspector Kemp looks like he popped right out of the movie, this time with both an arm and a leg gone. The best costume, however, was the Monster, who was fabulous with his zipper neck and chrome teeth. He was tall, green and dangerous to anyone who got too close. Overall, the costumes enhanced the show even more.
Finally, the music brings joy into all the big production numbers. With both music and lyrics by Brooks, every song will have the audience members rolling in their seats with laughter. In addition, some of the songs refer to the classic jokes that any fan of the film will recognize and love. Some of the songs include “The Transylvania Mania,” “He Vas My Boyfriend” and the unforgettable scene of Frankenstein dancing with the Monster to Irving Berlin’s “Putting On the Ritz.” That number was turned into a truly remarkable lengthy dance production. It had the audience cheering and begging for more.
Brooks is back with a new show that viewers can’t help but love. The cast is entertaining, the sets are mind-blowing and the music and dialogue will keep one laughing all the way through. No wonder it got a long standing ovation.
Be prepared to scream with laughter and fright.
“Young Frankenstein” opens Nov. 8
After monster success with “The Producers,” Mel Brooks brings “Young Frankenstein.” The cast features a slew of talented stars including Roger Bart, Megan Mullally and Sutton Foster, seen here. (playbill.com)