Transylvania mania is set to take over Mansfield this weekend with the opening of “Young Frankenstein” at The Renaissance Theatre.
Based on Mel Brooks’ classic 1974 film, “Young Frankenstein” is rated by some as one of the top 10 funniest movies of all time. Much of that comedy translates well from the screen to the stage thanks to the talents of the show’s 21 local cast members, according to director Michael Thomas.
“They changed maybe one or two things (from the movie) to make it a little more stage-friendly and to make musical numbers happen and things like that,” he said. “They’ve taken a few liberties but it’s just as funny. For all of us who grew up with the movie, all your favorite lines are in there.”
The musical tells the story of Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, who insists on pronouncing his name “Fronkensteen” in an effort to distance himself from his infamous grandfather, Dr. Victor Frankenstein. Actor Derek Jackenheimer, who jumped at the chance to audition for the part, brings Frederick to life on stage.
“The moment I heard they were doing ‘Young Frankenstein’ I scheduled out my time right away,” he said. “I’ve seen the movie many times, I love most anything Mel Brooks did.”
Jackenheimer said he drew a little inspiration from past Frankenstein actors Gene Wilder and Roger Bart, but has mostly taken his own interpretation of the character. He noted he has enjoyed a comedic role for a change.
“This is one of the few comedic roles that I’ve done throughout my life, most of the time because of my size and the fact that I look older I end up playing more of a dad role,” he said. “This is one of the few comedic roles I’ve ever done so my favorite part is getting to be silly on stage for a change.”
Frederick Frankenstein is forced to travel back to Transylvania to claim his grandfather’s estate and ends up being intrigued by his grandfather’s work, in spite of himself.
“Of course once he gets there he starts reading his grandfather’s journals and he discovers this can be done, you can make life out of dead tissues! And of course that’s how the story unfolds,” said Thomas.
There to help Frederick carry out his grandfather’s work is his assistant Igor, played by actor Colton Penwell. Igor is the descendent of Victor Frankenstein’s original lab assistant, but insists on being called “Eye-gor” to carry on with the name-changing theme.
“He’s totally on board with the whole bringing a dead guy back to life thing, but does nothing seriously,” said Penwell.
Penwell said he has enjoyed the constant comedy Igor brings to the show, often appearing on stage to deliver a quick joke before marching right back offstage.
“It’s almost like two characters in one, you’ve got old 1930s melodramatic monster movie and then break and make the joke and then go right back into it, back and forth the whole time trying to keep people off guard,” he said.
Also on hand to assist Frederick is Inga, a second lab assistant who takes quite a liking to the young Frankenstein, played by actor Harmoni Marii Sauder.
“She’s not dumb, she’s smart, she has a master’s degree, but she pretty much immediately falls for him and tries to get his attention,” said Sauder. “He’s a busy scientist so women are not the first thing on his mind.”
Sauder said she has enjoyed the comedy of the show, but especially the bravado of her own character.
“She just goes for it, she doesn’t hold back at all,” she said. “She knows he’s what she wants and she makes it happen.”
According to Thomas, the show has been challenging to the actors but also a lot of fun, with many laughs throughout rehearsal. The bigger challenge, he said, comes from the show’s technologically enhanced stage.
“Instead of using old-school backdrops this is the first time we’re using actual animated moving images for backdrops,” explained Thomas. “For example when the train is traveling you’ll see the train moving across the screen. It’s a really cool effect.”
The stage itself also has a number of gimmicks including fog and turntables to add to the experience, which Thomas described as very film-like. Assisting with the enhancement of the show is Robert Kurtzman, the owner of Mad FX Lab in Crestline, Ohio. Kurtzman and his team have assisted the production with costuming and, most notably, the wig for the Monster himself.
“He’s done an amazing latex thing that fits over his head with all the stitches and the hair, and of course it’s all green,” said Thomas.
Besides a couple mild expletives and a few anatomy jokes, Thomas said the show is rated for younger audiences who will enjoy the comedy, but also toward the “baby boomer” generation who remembers when the movie first came to the theater.
“People who just like comedy will enjoy the comedy, the musical theater fans will enjoy the music, and hopefully everybody will enjoy everything,” he said.
Cast members agreed, noting the brilliance of Mel Brooks should be enough to draw audiences to the show.
“It is a very unique twist on a story that has been done often,” said Jackenheimer. “It’s a new, fun way of looking at the traditional Frankenstein.”
“Young Frankenstein” will be showing at The Renaissance Theater on Friday, April 4 at 8 p.m., Saturday, April 5 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, April 6 at 3 p.m. For ticket information, visit The Renaissance Theatre’s website.
