With the successful conversion of Mel Brooks’ The Producers to a Broadway musical, many people felt that Young Frankenstein should/would be next – and as such, their wish was granted. I remember the Young Frankenstein movie when it was released. It was filled with an immensely talented cast, people like Gene Wilder, Madeline Kahn, Marty Feldman, Teri Garr, Peter Boyle and even Gene Hackman in a small but memorable role. I loved how it was shot in that black and white/sepia tone and how they even used the original lab equipment from the first Frankenstein movie. It was genius then and still very watchable now.
Fans of the movie who have not seen the musical (which previewed in Seattle at The Paramount before moving to Broadway) will not be disappointed. All the familiar characters are there and all the scenes people remember. Admit it, who among you does not whinny like a horse when Frau Blucher’s name is mentioned…?
This show was only very recently opened up to non-professional theaters such as ours, and bringing it to our stage has not been without challenges. All of the musical productions we do here are not without some challenges, and I do tell you about some of them in these director’s notes for each show. However, bringing what I believe to be a “Big Broadway Musical” to life here in Burien has been more than interesting. There are a large number of songs and a very large number of company dance numbers. There are many points of humor that depend on the particular staging The Paramount was able to offer, which we have had to find creative ways to make happen. I am very happy with what we have managed to come up with and I hope that you are as well.
As always, this show very simply could not have been possible if not for the very dedicated efforts and creative talent that our designers, builders, actors, musicians, volunteers, directors bring to this theater. There are many people listed in the program that have given their time and energy and I wish we could stand them all on the stage at once to thank them as well as showing you all what a large number of people are required to support the actors you do see on that stage. If you run into one of them in the hall — please thank them for bringing quality theater to Burien.
