So why did the Observer send me to review Young Frankenstein at the historic Longmont Theater on Main Street? I guess they thought it would expand my cultural horizons, as I do not like musicals. I haven’t seen Hamilton and I only stayed for The Book of Mormon because I was in the middle of a long row.

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So why did the Observer send me to review Young Frankenstein at the historic Longmont Theater on Main Street? I guess they thought it would expand my cultural horizons, as I do not like musicals. I haven’t seen Hamilton and I only stayed for The Book of Mormon because I was in the middle of a long row. Have to admit I did enjoy Mama Mia! on the stage in London many years ago. But I never wanted to sneak out when I was invited to the dress rehearsal of Young Frankenstein on Thursday evening. Not just because it would be impolite, but because I really enjoyed it.

The musical is based on the Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan book, which in turn is based on the 1974 Mel Brooks movie, so there will be the thrill of familiarity for many with the characters and punch lines, but newcomers to the play will definitely enjoy the fun and games on stage.

The opening scene has Transylvanian villagers celebrating the death of Professor Frankenstein, whose creation of the infamous monster has brought nothing but upheaval. This soon changes when Inspector Kemp shares that there is still yet another Frankenstein who is heir to the estate, including a very spooky castle. Cut to Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (Joshua Leisure), an eminent brain surgeon, and his eager students at a New York Medical School. When he receives the news of his grandfather’s death, he is first reluctant to cross the Atlantic and leave behind Elizabeth, his glamorous fiancée (Robin Zavala), but then his curiosity gets the better of him and we are on our way to Transylvania and perhaps another monster.

Frederick may be a brain surgeon, but he is somewhat naïve and inexperienced in the ways of the world, especially the Transylvanion world. He is no match for the wily and hunch-backed Igor (or is it Eyegor?), played by Arnie Follendorf, who was Professor Frankenstein’s assistant, or the voluptuous, yodeling Inga (Fiona Wohlfarth), who becomes indispensable to Frederick after a rambunctious Roll in the Hay.

The team is completed by the formidable Frau Blucher (Maggie Hayes), whose very name cause horses to bray in fright. Frederick is encouraged in a dream(?) to Join the Family Business by the ghost of his grandfather and the lively ensemble cast of singing and dancing wild-haired professors, and monster creation is soon underway.

The still suspicious villagers decide to welcome Frederick with a peaceful acapella greeting, but that soon morphs into one of the show’s highlight choruses, Transylvania Mania, initiated by the Frankenstein crew to cover up the roars and grunts of the now alive and kicking monster. A great end to the first half of the show.

Not all the songs are memorable, but the small orchestra, beautifully directed by Tanya Jean Daugherty is excellent, and its placement at the side of the auditorium near the stage makes it more of an integral part of the production than if the players were in the traditional orchestra pit. And, despite the somewhat erratic acoustics of the lovely old building (they are being improved as time and money permits), the new body mike sound system works beautifully. The stage settings are creative, and of course not of the complexity of a Broadway production, but we still had a great revolving bookcase/secret door scene and lots of thunder, lightning and rattling rainstorm sounds.

The show’s director, Patrick Sawyer, is a veteran of many years in Colorado regional Theater productions and has performed and produced from the Imperial Hotel in Cripple Creek to the Crystal Palace in Aspen, and from the Boulder Dinner Theater to the Midtown Arts Center in Fort Collins. He clearly knows how to get the most out of a talented cast, who all looked as if they were enjoying the night instead of working. Sawyer helped Joshua Leisure make a believable change from a somewhat naïve academic, to a crazy scientist, and back again to a redeemed lover. And the other main cast members sang beautifully – even Igor – and knew exactly when to play for laughs or when to succumb to melodrama.

I am absolutely sure that nobody will try to sneak out before the end of this terrific show, but if you do, you will miss out on the showstopper of the evening – Professor Frankenstein and his somewhat tamed monster, both dressed in white tie and tails and doing a Fred Astaire with Putting on the Ritz. You could see this on YouTube, but that only shows that nothing can compare to the live version, complete with the whole ensemble in costume as well, tapping feet and waving top hats. A perfect audience participation number.

Young Frankenstein is playing at the Longmont Theater, 513 Main Street on February 1st, 2nd, 8th, 9th, 15th, and 16th at 7:30 pm, plus matinees at 2:00 pm on Sunday the 3rd and 10th February. You will also be able to hear Faye Lamb, President of the Longmont Theater Company, introduce each performance and tell you about all the exciting play, movies and musicals coming up on Longmont’s Main Street over the coming month.