Overview
Synopsis
Mel Brooks’ madcap comedy collides with Mary Shelley’s classic monster tale in Young Frankenstein. Victor Frankenstein, the mad scientist of legend, has died and left everything to his grandson, Frederick, who wants nothing to do with the family’s notorious legacy. To settle his inheritance, he travels to his grandfather’s castle in Transylvania, meeting the grandson of Victor’s loyal henchman, Igor; the beautiful lab assistant, Inga; and the mysterious Frau Blücher. Before long, Frederick is sucked into his grandfather’s experiments and succeeds in creating human life. But by the time they realize that the Monster’s been accidentally given an abnormal brain, the Monster has already escaped, seemingly set to terrorize the countryside like the Frankensteinian monsters before him. Will Frederick repeat the mistakes of his grandfather? Or will he succeed where the others have not and turn his Monster into a dapper, intelligent man about town? Young Frankenstein is a hilarious take on the classic horror story, combining zany antics, a witty script, and high energy comedic performances for one unforgettable, hilarious adventure in Transylvania.
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Context
Young Frankenstein is an adaptation of Mel Brooks’ classic 1974 comedy-horror movie. After the success of The Producers in 2001, Brooks sought to bring another of his films to Broadway. He teamed up with his Producers collaborator, Thomas Meehan, to adapt the script, and composed the score and libretto himself. The first table reading was held in 2006. Directed by Susan Stroman, the workshop cast already boasted an impressive cast: Brian D’Arcy James (Dr. Frankenstein), Kristin Chenowith
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[Editor’s note: edits were made to the script and libretto between the Broadway and West End productions of Young Frankenstein. This guide follows the original Broadway script.]
ACT ONE
In the village of Transylvania Heights, the townspeople celebrate the death of the mad scientist, Dr. Victor von Frankenstein. They remember the terror they lived under while Dr. Frankenstein went about his horrific experiments, his creatures terrorizing the countryside. The town is ready to herald
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Character Portrayals
See StageAgent members who have performed roles in Young Frankenstein.
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Songs
ACT ONE
- The Happiest Town in Town - Ziggy and Villagers
- The Brain - Frederick and Medical Students
- Please Don’t Touch Me - Elizabeth and Passengers
- Together Again - Frederick and Igor
- Roll in the Hay - Inga, Frederick and Igor
- Join the Family Business - Victor and Mad Scientists
- He Vas My Boyfriend - Frau Blücher
- The Law - Kemp and Villagers
- Life, Life - Frederick, Igor, Inga and Frau Blücher
- He Was My Boyfriend (Reprise) - Frau Blücher
- Welcome to Transylvania - Kemp and Village Quartet
- Transylvania Mania - Igor, Frederick, Inga and Villagers
ACT TWO
- He’s Loose - Kemp and Villagers
- Listen to Your Heart - Inga
- Surprise - Elizabeth, Frau Blücher, Igor and Entourage
- Please Send Me Someone - The Hermit
- Man About Town - Frederick
- Puttin’ on the Ritz** - Frederick, The Monster, Inga, Igor and Chorus of Monsters
- He’s Loose (Reprise) - Kemp and Villagers
- Deep Love - Elizabeth
- Frederick’s Soliloquy - Frederick
- Deep Love (Reprise) - The Monster and Villagers
- Finale Ultimo - Company
_** Music and lyrics for “Puttin’ on the Ritz” by Irving Berlin._
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
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