Young Frankenstein

Ben Dibble & Alanna J. Smith

Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein The Musical is appearing on the mainstage of the Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut Street, through October 20, 2019. Not only does this revised version of the London hit have two additional musical numbers and revisions written by Mel Brooks himself, this iteration makes it first appearance on an American stage at Walnut Street Theatre. No one writes a funnier script than Mel Brooks and if his original script and score weren’t funny enough, Dr. Frankenstein's fiancé’ (Casey Elizabeth Gill)  belting out “Please Don’t Touch Me” had the audience howling in its tribute to the ME TOO movement.  Walnut Street Theatre’s deep stage allows several scenes to be set simultaneously but the manner in which they are switched is magnificent. Whether going from a train track to the woods in Transylvania or from the woods in Transylvania to Castle Frankenstein, the change is seamless and can scarcely be noticed. Young Frankenstein The Musical has a little bit of everything. There is a bit of slap-stick, as when the book case turns around 3 or 4 revolutions before Dr. Frankenstein and Inga determine its secret formula. A tap dance routine is very nicely choreographed.  There is the monster, of course, wonderfully portrayed by Dan Olmstead. The biggest surprise of the performance is how he can be so agile in his enormous platform shoes!  Fran Prisco is a marvelous blind hermit with his heart-wrenching “Someone”.  Mary Martello (Frau Blucher) always lights up every stage she enters and continues to do so as she serves as housekeeper for Dr. Frankenstein. Luke Bradt (Igor) comically portrays the hunched back (?) sidekick who is always on hand with advice. Alanna J. Smith does an exceptional job of portraying Inga, the frisky lab assistant who wants to assist Dr. Frankenstein with more than his lab work. Ben Dibble is superb in his role of Dr. Frederick Frankenstein. This is perhaps his best portrayal to date. The musical score must be right in his voice range as he has never sounded better. The sets are remarkable, thanks to scenic designer Robert Kovach. The work of lighting designer Charlie Morrison’s adds excitement to the production. For more information or tickets, call 215-574-3550, 800-982-2787, or visit online at www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.