Love, loss, and creation merge in unexpected ways in this thrilling classic gothic tale conceived by Manual Cinema. Stories of Mary Shelley, Victor Frankenstein, and his Monster expose how the forces of family, community, and education shape personhood—or destroy it by their absence.

In a special world premiere presentation, internationally-renowned multimedia company Manual Cinema stitches together the classic story of Frankenstein with Mary Shelley’s own biography to create an unexpected story about the beauty and horror of creation. Manual Cinema combines handmade shadow puppetry, cinematic techniques, and innovative sound and music to create immersive visual stories for stage and screen.

Learn more about the devising process in behind the scenes interviews with Manual Cinema Artistic Directors here.

Court Theatre presented the World Premiere of Frankenstein in Chicago, November, 2018. Frankenstein had its New York premiere at The Public Theatre’s Under the Radar Festival in January 2019 and it’s international debut in Scotland at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August, 2019.

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Adapted from the novel by Mary Shelley

Concept by Drew Dir

Devised by Drew Dir, Sarah Fornace and Julia Miller

Original Music by Ben Kauffman and Kyle Vegter

Storyboards by Drew Dir

Music and Sound Design by Ben Kauffman and Kyle Vegter

Shadow Puppet Design by Drew Dir with Lizi Breit

Projections and Scenic Design by Rasean Davonte Johnson

Costume and Wig Design by Mieka van der Ploeg

Lighting Design by Claire Chrzan

3D Creature Puppet Design by Lizi Breit

Prop Design by Lara Musard

Production Stage Manager Erin Albrecht

Video Mixing and Live Sound Effects by Shelby Glasgow

Sound Engineered by Sadi Tremblay and Mike Usrey

ORIGINAL CAST

Puppeteers:

Sarah Fornace (Victor Frankenstein, Mary Shelley)

Julia Miller (The Creature, Elizabeth Frankenstein)

Leah Casey (Caroline Frankenstein, Percy Shelley, Vocals)

Sara Sawicki (Alphonse Frankenstein, Lord Byron)

Myra Su (Ensemble)

Musicians:

Peter Ferry (percussion)

Zachary Good (clarinets and aux percussion)

Deidre Huckabay (flutes, aux percussion, piano)

Lia Kohl (cello, aux percussion, vocals)

UNDERSTUDIES

Puppeteers:

Lizi Breit (Ensemble)

Maren Celest (Alphonse Frankenstein, Lord Byron)

Kara Davidson (The Creature, Elizabeth Frankenstein)

Musicians:

Nora Barton (cello, aux percussion, vocals understudy)

Michael Chen (clarinets and aux percussion understudy)

Rachael Dobosz (flutes, aux percussion, piano)

Jeff Kimmel (clarinets and aux percussion understudy)

Erica Miller (cello, aux percussion, vocals understudy)

PRESS

“…an exquisitely stylized, self-contained reality that seems to belong both to the early 19th century, when Shelley’s novel was written, and to the dark corridors of its author’s imagination.”

Ben Brantley, The New York Times Frankenstein, January 2019

“…impossible to look away”

Daily Beast Frankenstein, January 2019

“…an experience like none other…ingenious”

Exeunt NYC Frankenstein, January 2019

“…a moving experimental score”

Houston Chronicle Frankenstein, October 2019

“a complex visual treat…impressive in scope and execution, entertaining, and (especially if you’ve never seen Manual Cinema before) absolutely fascinating to watch.”

Karen Topham, Chicago On Stage, ★★★★ Highly Recommended Frankenstein, November 2018

“-an ingenious merger of live music and captivating visuals. No matter where you look, you’ll find beauty and intrigue.”

Catey Sullivan, Chicago Sun-Times Frankenstein, November 2018

“ambitious…the epitome of what creative theater can be.”

Michael Horn, Around the Town Chicago Frankenstein, December 2018

“brimming with accomplished performances and imaginative images, colored with sights and sounds, light and shadow…a majestic accomplishment that boggles the mind.”

Colin Douglas, Chicago Theatre Review Frankenstein, November, 2018