October 11, 2007

Dueling Frankensteins


“In deconstructing one of the most popular story of all time, we hope to offer a new perspective for contemporary audiences.”

- Mark Baron and Jeffrey Jackson, authors, Frankenstein, A New Musical.

There’s an embarrassment of riches for Frankenstein fans in the New York area. The serious-minded Frankenstein, A New Musical opened Off-Broadway at 37 Arts last night (October 10), while the light-hearted (light-headed?) Mel Brook’s New Musical, Young Frankenstein begins its preview run tonight, October 11, at the Hilton Theater.

The two productions are a just few blocks from each other, but worlds apart in concept. If there’s any competition here, it’s sibling rivalry: Hunter Foster plays a thoughtful Victor Frankenstein in the Off-Broadway musical while his sister, Sutton Foster, plays the loony Inga in the Mel Brook’s romp on 42nd Street.

Frankenstein, A New Musical promises to be “extraordinarily faithful to Mary Shelley's original novel while offering a bold, new experience for modern theater audiences”. The company’s website has been updated with photos, cast and crew bios and music samples. Playbill has just come out with a very informative article about the show.


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