THEATER REVIEW - ‘Young Frankenstein’ - Produced by: Star Playhouse – Commack
Reviewed by: Jeb Ladouceur
There’s no questioning the comic genius of Star Playhouse favorite, Mel Brooks. And for those who might have thought America’s premier jokester exhausted all his rib-tickling talent when creating ‘The Producers,’ they simply must catch The Star’s current production of Brooks’ ‘Young Frankenstein.’ It’s an immensely funny slam-dunk musical.
Unfortunately, this gem of a show closes after its Sunday, November 20 matinee, so theater aficionados will be well advised to call for tickets at: 631-462-9800-extension 136.
One cannot overstate the enthusiasm that Commack’s zealous troupe has brought to its long list of hits over the years. These include ‘Spamalot,’ ‘A Funny Thing…,’ ‘Annie,’ ‘Chorus Line,’ ‘La Cage aux Folles,’ and dozens of other classics. The company’s many notable shows have invariably been performed at its beautifully appointed theater (74 Hauppauge Road) with gusto and near-perfect timing. But director Rick Grossman, choreographer, Leia DePalo, and costumer Maxine Katz, might have outdone themselves with ‘Young Frankenstein.’
It’s common knowledge that many parodies inspired by motion pictures … 1974’s ‘Young Frankenstein’ is actually a spoof on horror films in general—in particular, ‘Frankenstein’, and ‘Son of Frankenstein’ … frequently such movie-inspired plays have been known to fall flat. Not so, this musical. Based on the film that Brooks himself has called, “my best motion picture,” the comic satire has become a staple for repertory companies, and is enthusiastically received worldwide.
The Broadway production of ‘Young Frankenstein’ spawned by Mel Brooks’ favorite movie actually debuted at New York’s Hilton Theatre (since re-named the Foxwoods Theatre) on November 8, 2007 … though the Mel Brooks-Gene Wilder film of the same title opened, as noted, 33 years earlier. The impresario was obviously spurred on by the immense success of his 2001 stage production, ‘The Producers.’
But reviews of the new parody were mixed … and ‘Young Frankenstein,’ though wildly successful in the repertory niche it carved for itself, has become known as a sort of bridesmaid to ‘The Producers.’ Of course, the label is hardly pejorative, since that phenomenal show won 12 of its 15 Tony nominations, setting the record for most Theatre Wing awards in history, and becoming one of the few musicals to win a Tony in every category for which it was nominated!
In a rat-a-tat production like ‘Young Frankenstein,’ it’s virtually impossible to single out individual performances for acclaim … so far be it for this reviewer to try. Let it be said, merely, that Director Grossman has welded his huge cast into a cohesive unit in which every actor, singer, and dancer, works smoothly and with interrelated precision. The overriding impression is that Grossman must have supervised casting of the named players, but there is no way for the theatergoer to know that for certain. Thus, if there is an anonymous casting director at the Star Playhouse, hats off to him or her for coming up with the right people.
Obviously, no such precise dovetailing of talent is possible in a musical comedy without an orchestra in which the musicians not only know their instruments, but are also intimately attuned to the action on stage. In that regard, Music Director Remy D’Esposito’s charges never miss a note or a beat. Their instrumental expertise fills the huge hall with lyricism that is both expressive and functional.
With ticket prices set at $18. and $25. the magnificent, audience-friendly Star Playhouse represents one of the most satisfying theater bargains available anywhere on Long Island. Even for those of us whose day-to-day job it is to report on artistic productions and their various sites, attending this stunning venue is, in itself, always an event of the first order.
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Award-winning writer, Jeb Ladouceur is the author of a dozen novels, and his theater and book reviews appear in several major L.I. publications. His newest book, THE GHOSTWRITERS, explores the bizarre relationship between the late Harper Lee and Truman Capote. Ladouceur’s recently completed thriller, THE SOUTHWICK INCIDENT, is due in December. It involves a radicalized Yale student and his CIA pursuers. Mr. Ladouceur’s revealing website is www.JebsBooks.com