Mix one part outrageous, two parts ridiculous, and a dash of naughtiness. Add generous dollops of side-splitting jokes and jaunty tunes. Roast classic horror film tropes until piping hot and serve with a sumptuous sauce of on and off-stage talent and you have the recipe for the feast that is “Young Frankenstein” through October 26 at Pennsylvania Playhouse, 390 Illick’s Mill Road, Bethlehem.
“Young Frankenstein” is Mel Brooks’s reanimation of his 1974 hit comedy film. Brooks wrote his own songs for the musical, yet wisely retained Irving Berlin’s “Puttin’ on the Ritz” and Victor Herbert’s “Ah, Sweet Mystery or Life” that he used in the film to great effect in both incarnations.
The book by Brooks and Thomas Meehan is somewhat different and a bit raunchier than the movie, so parents take note.
The story opens in Transylvania where villagers happily celebrate the death of Victor von Frankenstein.
Meanwhile, we are introduced to Frankenstein’s grandson, Frederick, a New York City medical professor determined to distance himself from his infamous ancestor. (He: pronounces it “Frah-ken-steen”, which naturally fools nobody.)
Frederick soon learns that he must travel to Transylvania to settle his grandfather’s estate. And, as the cliché crumbles, hijinks, ensue.
The title character is played by Andrew Galindez. Gene Wilder who played Frederick in the film is a tough act to follow (as is the rest of the cinematic cast) but Galindez ably handles the role as does Rebecca McCall as Frederick’s famously frigid fiancée Elizabeth Benning. Her vocals are especially impressive as are those of Alyssa Steiner as beautiful lab assistant Inga.
Frederick and Inga join Igor (a delightfully manic Joey Troiano), pronounced “eye-gor”, the elder Frankenstein’s assistant’s descendant, in the hilarious “Roll in the Hay” number.
Rounding out the principal players are the comically gifted Tammy McKillip (Frau Blücher – cue horse whinny) and Andrew Maldonado as The Monster.
McKillip makes the most out of fan favorite number “He Vas My Boyfriend” instilling a seldom seen note of warmth to the character, and Maldonado doesn’t hit a wrong note in a performance that requires him to go from dead meat to erudite lothario with multiple stops along the way.
His performance in the show-stopping “Puttin’ on the Ritz” is sublime as is his sexy duet with McCall “Deep Love.”
Shelby Shaffer (Inspector Hans Kemp), Richard Director (Victor von Frankenstein/Executioner), Jack Warnke (Ziggy/Ensemble), Dale Beltzner (Mr. Hilltop) and Gary Boyer (Harold the Hermit) pile on the slapstick shenanigans. Boyer and Maldonado are hilarious as Boyer’s blind hermit’s attempts at hospitality send The Monster running for cover.
The large (maybe too large-it’s a small stage) ensemble deserves special (Jack Warnke, Alexandra Brito-Amador, Mya Detweiler, Even Heger, Jordan Joseph, Cara Padilla Jensen, Caitlin McDermott, Jen Rarick, Carter Sachse, Stephen Simone, Maricel Wheatley, Sara Woodring, and Hannah Zarate) mention as does Music Director Amanda Haag.
Their voices are pitch perfect, often blending seamlessly into a wall of sumptuous sound.
Choreographer Meg Pierre and Dance Captain Mya Detweiler skillfully manage the near-impossible task of moving numerous bodies around gracefully without anyone running into anyone else or falling off the stage (at least not during the performance I attended.)
Director Mark A. Stutz does a great job orchestrating this complex production, ably assisted by Sarah J. Davis, Stage Manager Corinne Philbin, and Assistant Stage Manager Olivia Howe, Diction Coach Jacob Masters, and Intimacy Coordinator Jessica Barkl-Lopez.
As always, Set and Lighting Designer Brett Oliveira and Costume Designer Todd Burkel perform feats at which we mere mortals can only marvel. The backstage crew handles the task of moving and placing complex stage pieces such as a bookcase with a secret door, a hay wagon, and various and sundry gurneys, lab equipment, (specimens and all), with speed and seamless professionalism.
Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30PM and Sundays at 3:00PM now through October 26.
Tickets are $25 for adults, $22 for seniors, and $15 for students with a valid school ID.
Visit www.paplayhouse.org or call the box office at 610-865-6665 for ticketing information.