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Health & Fitness

Landmark Community Theatre's 'Young Frankenstein' - My Review

A monstrously funny musical comedy is running at the venerable Thomaston Opera House.

Landmark Community Theatre's presentation of Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein opened at the Thomaston Opera House on Saturday night and we had great complimentary seats from which to enjoy all the silliness. Katherine Ray writes that she jumped at the chance to direct the show for Landmark because she admires both horror movies and Mel Brooks, but also because she got to "flex my deep sense of bad taste, be my irreverent self and get paid to do it." All of those reasons were apparent in this uproarious production that featured a large cast of comic community actors, lots of impressive technical moves, great dancing and lots of broad comedy that kept the audience laughing throughout.

Young Frankenstein is billed as a "monstrously funny" musical comedy from the creators of Broadway's The Producers. It is a re-imaging of the Frankenstein legend that is based on the Mel Brooks movie. Chuck Stango stars as the bright young Dr. Frankenstein (pronounced Fronkensteen) who attempts to complete the work of his grandfather (played by Joe Harding) and bring a corpse to life. Along with his endearing helper Igor (pronounced Eye-gor) and his curvy lab assistant  Inga, he succeeds in creating the monster (played by John Mullen) and hilarity ensues. On Backstage with Johnny O, Mr. Stango described the story line as an excuse to string together a bunch of gags and I would agree.

As Juan Cordova played a selection of Halloween tunes on the magnificent pipe organ before the show began, we took in the sprawling set designed by Ms. Ray, David Verdosci and the producer Jeffrey Dunn. Not only did it extend to either side of the jewel box stage, it was built around the front exit door. The orchestra was hidden backstage so that stairs could be built into what is often used as the pit. It also featured a rear projection screen with video projections by Sharon A. Wilcox and Jeff Porper and photography by Dan Wagoner and the director. Kudos to the huge team of volunteers who built and painted this fine set.

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Mr. Stango explained that the show was incredibly tech heavy and he was not exaggerating. Most of it went off without a hitch on opening night. Jeff  Dunn produced the Landmark production on a much smaller budget than the Broadway version of course, but it was still pretty impressive. Ms. Ray directed the fine performers for maximum laughs and included some exits and searching for the monster through the house and even two characters interacting with our side of the audience. The production numbers were  impressive with "The Transylvania Mania" and the tap dance number Irving Berlin's (although here uncredited) "Puttin' on the Ritz" being my two favorites. Holly MacCann served as music director and conducted the orchestra and self-described "hair maven" on numerous productions and talented choreographer Jennifer Mazzaeo did an amazing job with the choreography suited for this small stage.

Chuck Stango was terrific in the lead role of Dr. Frederick Frankenstein. I always enjoy watching Mr. Stango onstage and it was a joy to see him sort of (his words) dancing with a lot of hair to boot.  Landmark board member Ray Esposito took the role of Igor and ran with it. UCONN senior Katie Brunetto was adorable as Inga. Suzanne Powers owned the role of the young doctor's betrothed Elizabeth Benning. Cat Heidel in her TOH debut was a commanding Frau Blucher and Joe McCann was a funny Inspector Kemp. Pat Hearn, whose credits include TOH productions of White Christmas and Guys and Dolls, did a great job with the over the top role of the blind Hermit.

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Joe Harding, fresh off the role of Sweeney Todd at the Phoenix Stage Company, took on the role of the elder (and deceased) Frankenstein. Peter Bailey was the perfect village idiot Ziggy and George Paris had a fun cameo role. The wonderful ensemble included Erica Blasko from Naugatuck, the marvelous dancer Caitlin Barra, WZBG's Amy Ferrarrotti and Steve Sorriero. Mr. Sorriero joined four other members of the male ensemble to resurrect the quartet from Music Man and sing a ditty in close harmony.

Young Frankenstein is considered to be rated PG-13 due to some strong language and lots of innuendo; my son in his mid teens enjoyed the show a lot. There are also some strobe lights in use in the first act. The show runs through October 20.

Next up for Landmark Community Theatre will be Miracle on 34th Street. Next season they will present South Pacific, Mary Poppins, Buddy (the Buddy Holly story) and A Christmas Story.



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