By Laura Kennelly
The undead return. OK, The Monster isn’t technically a zombie–he’s a zombie with a brain transplant, but he causes plenty of uproar anyway in the Beck Center’s latest: The New Mel Brooks Musical: Young Frankenstein.
It’s a spoof of Mary Shelley’s classic Frankenstein story a la Brooks so naturally it’s a throwback to vaudeville humor: Plenty of awkward situations punctuated by vulgar jokes already old at the turn of the last century. But who doesn’t enjoy an occasional “yuk yuk” once in a while? Fans of farce (I am one) will get a kick out of remembering the 1974 film with Gene Wilder and Madeline Kahn.
Although the film version is hard to live up to, the Beck Center show offers numerous bright spots. Opening night transitions and set changes slowed the action down, but The Mackey Main Stage show runs through August 17 so it’s likely the laughs will come even faster during subsequent performances.
Highlights include the big dance numbers enthusiastically and joyfully offered by the ensemble cast, especially “Puttin’ on the Ritz” featuring Christopher Aldrich as The Monster. He’s hysterically funny when he repeats the Ritz title on cue in his best monster “voice.” The already tall Aldrich, decked out with high soled shoes, looks and moves like a true monster. He makes a charming fellow and it’s no wonder young Dr. Frederick Frankenstein’s fiancee Elizabeth (Lindsey Mitchell) falls for him.
As the title character, Jamie Koeth’s Dr. Frankenstein owes a little too much to Gene Wilder’s film portrayal, but Leslie Andrews easily surpasses the film version as she adds her own considerable comic talent to re-create Inga, the blonde fraulein with a crush on the good doctor. Alex Smith as the mysterious Igor seems quite natural as he charmingly conveys his character’s easy-going manner and whacky sense of humor. Amiee Collier’s Frau Blucher (the authoritarian housekeeper) bustles plot turns along.
And yet: Brooks’ crude jokes about the blind hermit in the forest who doesn’t realize he’s hosting a monster seem dated and not that funny these days. Mark Heffernan as the Hermit did the best he could with the same lame joke repeated over and over, but that whole segment might be omitted without any loss.
Bottom line: There’s no joke too low, but there’s plenty to enjoy (especially when the whole cast crowds the stage as villagers worried about The Monster).
The Beck Center for the Arts production of the musical by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan with music and lyrics by Brooks is directed by Scott Spence. Larry Goodpaster is musical director and choreography is by Martín Céspedes.
For tickets or more information go to http://beckcenter.org or call 216-521-2540. Shows are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday through 8/17.
[Photo: Kathy Sandham]
Laura Kennelly is a freelance arts journalist, a member of the Music Critics Association of North America, and an associate editor of BACH, a scholarly journal devoted to J. S. Bach and his circle.Listening to and learning more about music has been a life-long passion. She knows there’s no better place to do that than the Cleveland area.
Lakewood, OH 44107