I once walked into Bay Street Theater on a whim to watch one of my favorite movies from my childhood, Mel Brooks's "Young Frankenstein." Not a typical childhood movie, to be sure, but a favorite of my family. Now, years later, I walked into the theater again to see Mel Brooks's "Young Frankenstein the Musical."
Entering I was greeted by a projection of the 1931 monster movie "Dracula," starring Bela Lugosi. It set the mood for an evening in Transylvania.
Those familiar with the Mel Brooks film will be well acquainted with the plot of the musical. The grandson of Victor Frankenstein, of Mary Shelley fame, is gifted his grandfather's estate after his death. He then travels to Transylvania with every intention of leaving as soon as possible. Hilarity ensues, and he finds himself following in the Frankenstein family footsteps.
I can quote almost the entire movie, including the inflections of Gene Wilder, Marty Feldman, and Madeline Kahn. Still, I didn't know what to expect from a new production, so it was more about what it could do with the familiar story.
The cast certainly does not disappoint, with Matthew Hydzik as Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, which he pronounces "Fronkensteen," Alena Watters as Elizabeth Benning, James Romney as Igor, which he pronounces "Eye-gor," Kyla Stone as Inga, Veanne Cox as Frau Blucher (wild neighing), and Sean Bell as the Monster, in a phenomenally physical comedic performance.
They are not the originals but they shouldn't be expected to be.
Mr. Hydzik brings a mania to his performance as the good doctor, and it runs through the production, scene to scene. Every moment is joyous and strange and weird, in the most Mel Brooks way possible, of course. Filling out the cast is Aaron Choi as Inspector Kemp and the Hermit, and an ensemble of Savannah Cooper, Bradley William Gibbins, Brady Miller, and Linda Neel.
Also to be commended is the director and choreographer, Gerry McIntyre, who threw all the switches and called the lightning storm forth to bring this production to life.
Where the cast, director, and crew bring their all to the performance, I felt that they were let down by the score. All songs were sung excellently, there was no lack of ability, but it goes back to my familiarity with the source material, and how that left me anxious to get on to the scenes I knew were coming. Some songs stuck around longer than they needed to, which is an issue with adapting something well known and adding something new to it.
But that does not take away from the performers themselves. The one musical number in both film and musical is the 1920s Irving Berlin standard "Puttin' on the Ritz." And that is a highlight of the show, a true full-out, high-energy, full-cast showstopper. A combination of pure talent, great choreography, and impressive staging and set design.
Sometimes with movies or plays I find myself overthinking what I'm watching. And in those moments I find it best, as I did here, to just let go and enjoy the ride. This production is exuberant and ridiculous; give in to the insanity and let yourself have fun with it. Mel Brooks is the forever king of comedy, and his style and personality radiate through this production and this cast.
The band consists of a synthesizer, bass, percussion, brass, and woodwinds played by Eric Svejcar, Teddy Motz, Ed Chiarella, Charles Clausen, and Joel Levy, respectively. Mr. Svejcar also serves as the music director and provided additional arrangements.
Scenic and lighting design is by Mike Billings, with costume design by Barbara Erin Delo, sound design by Joanna Lynne Staub, production design by Brad Peterson, and hair and makeup by Liz Printz. Aaron Watson is the production stage manager, with Audrey McGuane as the props designer.
"Young Frankenstein the Musical" runs through Aug. 25, Tuesday to Sunday at 7 p.m., and 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets cost between $60 and $137 and can be bought at baystreet.org or at the box office.
