We have literally been waiting all year for the opening of Young Frankenstein at Mercury Theater Chicago and it did not disappoint.
The author was hosted to facilitate writing this article. All thoughts and opinions expressed are their own.
Based on the Mel Brooks movie you know and love, the grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced Fronk-en-steen) inherits his family's estate in Transylvania. While at first he denounces his grandfather's work, Frederick is ultimately sucked into the same experiment of bringing the dead back to life. Of course, his monstrous creation leads to chaos, mayhem, and absolute hilarity. In fact, the laughs in this show begin from the get-go, and the show only gets funnier along the way.
The musical numbers and accompanying choreography are super clever and catchy. You will be humming the tunes for days after. The piece de resistance is the highly entertaining performance of "Puttin' on the Ritz." I did not want the song to end. It alone is worth the price of admission.
We went to the show as a family with my sixteen and fourteen year olds. We all left with a different favorite character. Mine was Igor (pronounced Eye Gore), played geniously by Ryan Stajmiger. My daughter's was Frau Blucher. Mary Robin Roth certainly did justice to Cloris Leachman's rendition. My son's was The Monster creatively played by Andrew MacNaughton, and my husband's was, the glue, Dr. Frankenstein played by Sean Fortunato. However, a show is only as good as its entire ensemble, and the whole of Young Frankenstein's ensemble was excellent.
Young Frankenstein is playing at Mercury Theater Chicago through December 31st. Tickets run between $35-$85. The show is recommended for ages thirteen and up. (Expect some sexual content.)
