Young Frankenstein
Book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan
Music and Lyrics by Mel Brooks
Directed by C. Kevin Swansey
Music and Lyrics by Mel Brooks
Directed by C. Kevin Swansey
Review by Kate Barry
Entire
contents are copyright © 2013 Kate Barry. All rights reserved
You can never go wrong with Mel Brooks. His work is hilarious
and an established mainstay in pop culture. This is a man who knows exactly
what comedy is and has always worked at a peak level throughout his long
career. Clarksville Little Theater chose to open their season with the musical
adaptation of Young Frankenstein,
based on the iconic film comedy of the same name. This production embraces the
no-holds-barred spirit of Brooks’ humor and adds extra fun along the way.
The script oozes with jokes that have seeped into our
psyches – everything from “Abby Normal” brains to "rolling in the
hay." It’s hard to even think about this show without quoting it. Director
C. Kevin Swansey and company have done well to honor each of these jokes and
gags. As the creature Dr. Frankenstein (Joe Tindle) brings back to life, Liam
O’Daniel-Munger brings great charisma as he stiffly strides across the stage
with magnitude. O’Daniel-Munger’s stature and size work to his advantage in
helping the jokes work. He has made a well-known monster character his own and
adds some new life to a stock character. And of course, the “Puttin’ on the
Ritz” duet with Tindle channels the same clever charm Brooks originally
captured with Gene Wilder and Peter Boyle.
Kayla Gill as
Dr. Frankenstein’s blonde Swedish bombshell assistant brings unique comedic
timing and talent to the role. Gill provides the right amount of silliness to
all of her innuendos with Dr. Frankenstein and yet doesn’t forget that
proverbial wink and nudge to the audience.
Joe Tindle plays Dr. Frankenstein with a mild manner.
Although he barely skims the surface of madness and lunacy of a scientist
obsessed with his work, Tindle has his moments and shines with his musical
numbers like “The Brain” and “Together Again.” As the prudish and high
maintenance Elizabeth, Winnie Spitza puts it all out there and doesn’t shy away
from fondling, groping or belting her songs. Andrew McGill plays Igor, the
humpback servant to Dr. Frankenstein. As most of his lines are punch lines and
puns, it’s important to consider the timing and beats with comedy, and McGill
seemed to rush through the funniest lines in the play. Howard J. Whitman plays
Inspector Kemp, who has some great moments of comedy, yet I would have liked to
hear the cranking noises associated with his mechanical limbs. Carol Dines
plays Frau Bulcher, toting a violin and wearing thick, black eye makeup; Dines
had fun with this part. Dancing with a chair in “He Vas My Boyfriend,” Dines is
a hoot and doesn’t have a problem being appropriately melodramatic.
Ensemble numbers were spirited and fun like “Join the Family
Business” and “Transylvania Mania.” There was some bumping and tripping from
time to time, but nothing draws focus from the rest of the scene. With minor
hiccups here and there, the entire production itself is very amusing
nonetheless.
Young Frankenstein
September 13-21, 2013
Clarksville Little Theater
301 E. Montgomery Ave
Clarksville, IN 47129
812-283-6522
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