Another great musical witnessed today by moi.  I come out happy and energized after it ends.

These few weeks, Young Frankenstein - The Musical came to Seattle prior to their opening on Broadway.  It's a 20 million dollar extravaganza by Mel Brooks.  It's great that Seattle had a chance to be able to host them before their premiere in the greatest stage for theatre.

I never saw the movie this musical is based on.  But I love the novel by Mary Shelley, even though this is completely different from the book.

Let's see, what can I say.  First, I went by myself again.  I don't mind it because it's not like I'm going to be talking to someone during the musical.  But it would have been nice if one of my friends could go.  My seats were between two men of...great stature.  I was wiggling in my seats the entire first act.  Then I went and sat near empty seats in the second act.  Luckily the ushers do not care, a lot of people did it as well.

The set was amazing.  The colors and props were so bright and animated.  Also, props to the lighting people.  Who knew lights can add so much to the show.  The costumes were beautifully done, I wanted to don the dresses myself even though village-wear is not in style right now. 

So, starting off, Act I:

Scene: Transylvania.  It's a group number with the locals of the town as they celebrate the death of Victor Von Frankenstein.  They are afraid that Victor's grandchild, Frederick Frankenstein might follow in his grandpa's steps and create a monster.  But they assume because Frederick is a Dean of Anatomy in New York, he would not come around to their town.

Scene:  New York.  Enter, Fronken-steen!!  I enjoyed this number about brains, because, uh, I majored in it.  I giggled when they sang about the medulla oblongata.  Roger Bart was great as Frederick Frankenstein.  Great singing voice, however, he was a little short of stature and did not seem to command as great a stage presence as one would hope.  A telegram arrives and he is summoned to Transylvania otherwise the estate will be removed from him.  Before he leaves for Transylvania on the boat he says his goodbyes to his fiance, Elizabeth, played by Megan Mullaly.  Pretty cool to see a person you saw on tv for 7 years be several hundred feets away from you.  I don't like the voice and accent she did for the character though.  It was slightly annoying.  But she got some pipes on her, who knew.  But man, that song she did "Please don't touch me" was hilarious.  I don't even know how many times she said "tits."

Scene:  Transylvania.  Enter, IGOR!  Wait, it's EE-gor.  Hehe.  The actor is great, supplied many of the jokes and a great dancer.  The little number between Frederick and Igor was funny, especially their little foot kicks. 

Enter, Inga.  She is a blond bombshell that is the laboratory assistant.  Lots of sexual jokes here.  Some of the jokes got old and a little overused but funny nonetheless.  I was wondering what parents that brought their kids thought of it.  The three ride on a cart full of hay with two "horses."  Great effects with the projector such that it really seemed like they were on a real cart heading off to the castle.  Igor grabs the two knockers on the door, prompting Frederick to exclaim "Big Knockers" as he looks at Inga.  Hehe, juvenile but, oh so funny.

They arrive at the castle and enter, Frau Blucher ::cue horse whinny::.  Frederick falls asleep on the couch and it's the number "Family Business."  Victor Frankenstein shows up in Frederick's dreams and tells him to continue with the...family business.  Another great number.  Man the music is really great.  I was also able to hear all of the lyrics and understand what they are talking about so that's always a plus.

Frederick and Inga go about looking for the laboratory and antics ensue behind a bookcase.  An extended joke concerning a candle being the key to unveiling the secret laboratory.  They descend down to the laboratory and encounter Igor.  They hear violin music and find Frau Blucher living there.  "He vas my Boyfriend" was hilarious.  Frau was the lover of Frankenstein and lots of sexual innuendos are rampant. Frederick finds Frankenstein's book and discovers how the latter created the monster.  He is determined to build a monster of great stature and great intelligence.

Too bad Igor drops the brain that Frederick wants.  And then accidentally steps on it.  And then intentionally steps on it.  Heh.  They make the creature and it's a monster.

Then the townpeople are outside the castle and the quartet try to prevent them from discovering the monster.  Great musical piece here.  I love the big group numbers.  There is so much going on and so much needs to be coordinated.

ACT Two

The villagers are now on the hunt for the monster who's loose.  Back in the laboratory, Frederick and Inga get it on.  So funny.  Inga does a fantastic split that made the audience clap.  They are hoisted up the laboratory table and do their deed just as Elizabeth comes barging into the laboratory.  Frau and Igor attempt to prevent Elizabeth from discovering where Frederick and Inga is, to no avail.  But the monster is more important and Frederick goes out to look for the monster.

In the forest, there is a blind hermit who is lonely and wishes for someone to come and keep him company.  The monster comes barging in, but the blind hermit mistakes the monster for a mute and tries to make him friends.  He ends up scalding the monster and putting him on fire.  This was a funny piece.

They sedate the monster and Frederick tries to give the monster love in the attempt to make it more human and not act so monstrous.  It works, and it leads to the big number, Putting on the Ritz.  Frederick assembles the town and others to showcase the monster.  Everyone is in their best attire and Frederick and the monster does a dance number.  It is so cute and was brilliantly done.  This piece is what reviewers all rave about.  It lasted for about ten minutes I would say and it was full of energy and great dancing.  But then the monster is scared by a fire and goes berserk and kidnaps Elizabeth.

Elizabeth and the monster ends up in the forest.  Wolf.  Heh, Elizabeth discovers her "Deep Love" for the monster and is not the innocent woman she was as before.  Mullally did a great job here.  She sold the humor and everyone was cracking up.  Great comedic timing.  But then the monster is captured and we are back at the laboratory.

Frederick has a machine set up to transfer his intelligence to the monster in the attempt to make the monster tell them where he took Elizabeth.  As it happens, the townfolk barge into the laboratory and grab Frederick to execute him because they think Elizabeth is dead.

Right as Frederick is swinging on the noose, the monster appears and is able to talk intelligently now.  He attempts to revive Frederick and is successful.  The monster is capable of expressing his feelings and Elizabeth comes forth.  Heh, she has hair like in the movies the monster's wife has.  That was funny.  Elizabeth is okay and Frederick is spared from death.  Elizabeth expresses her love for the monster.  Frederick proposes to Inga.  And everyone is happy.

Great musical once again.  The dancing, singing, and visual representations were sensational.  This was a great opportunity to be one of the first to see the musical.  I bet New York is jealous.  I predict they will win lots of Tonys.  That might make me want to watch it when it comes around.  Best of luck to the whole production and that they do well in NY.

Current Mood: cheerful