Running from Feb. 12 to Feb. 20, Oakland University’s School of Music, Theatre and Dance daringly captured the essence of camp and horror with their production of Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein.”
“Young Frankenstein” takes place decades after the events of the classic horror tales of Victor Von Frankenstein. In the 1930s, Victor passes away and his grandson, Frederick — who is the dean of anatomy at a school in New York City — is invited to Transylvania, Romania to take care of his estate.
This musical adaptation of the 1974 film by Brooks follows Frederick Frankenstein, his odd lab assistants and his subtle embrace of “the family business”.
Frankenstein (played by Alexander Hernandez,) and his hunchback lab assistant Igor (played by Pietro Cataldo) made it clear to the sold-out Wednesday night crowd that they had an undoubtable chemistry the moment they first crossed paths.
Their first number, “Together Again For the First Time,” signifies the start of a budding partnership — but also a unique relationship that would last until the last note of the production. Frederick’s curiosity gets the better of him and Igor’s yes-man attitude leads them to meet the other assistants: the ditzy Inga (played by Rileigh Bautel) and the sullen Frau Blucher (played by Lilija Shuger).
Bautel and Shuger have their standout moments as well. The not-so subtle “Roll in the Hay” and the sensual “Listen to Your Heart,” see Bautel at her best. Shuger also sings the impassioned solo-number “He Vas My Boyfriend.”
The performances all were excellent, from the ensemble cast to the side characters Elizabeth (played by Grace Lawrence, Inspector Klemp (played by Matthew Sell) and The Monster (played by Deagan Krohn), even the blind, pitiful Old Hermit (played by Wyatt Cleaveland).
This adaptation of Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein” was directed by Associate Professor of Theatre Directing and Acting at OU, David Gram.
“‘Young Frankenstein’ reminds us that communities thrive when we take the time to listen, understand, work together, and find common ground. The heart, joy, and laughter that has been on display throughout this process, has been a balm in these darker and divisive times,” Gram wrote in the play’s program.
The hairstyling, makeup and costumes were also incredibly well done. The done-up wigs, the suits, villages blouses and the makeup particular on The Monster really set the campy and ironic tone that permeates throughout the whole musical.
The lighting — like most SMTD productions — was also executed perfectly and dramatically, especially in the moments that mattered.
After the show was finished, I talked to both Bautel and Hernandez about their performances. Bautel, a junior Musical Theatre major, reflected on the show overall and why it is important to tell these older yet modern takes on classic stories.
“It’s just such a fun show to do and it’s so energetic,” Bautel said. “To even bring it back to life again in this new, kind of like a modern way… we’re not from the seventies, so we have modern eyes to this show. It’s just very important to re-birth it.”
Hernandez, a senior MT major, talked about his experience with Prof. Gram and what drew him to audition for the lead role in “Young Frankenstein”.
“This kind of comedy is some of my favorite kind of comedy. So, the show itself is something that I really enjoy,” Hernandez said.
While this run of “Young Frankenstein” ended Feb. 20, you can check out more SMTD performances by going to oakland.edu/smtd/performances-and-events/.
