The Frankenstein legend is re-imagined once more when Civic Theatre of Allentown presents its own main stage version of the Mary Shelley classic. It's the Lehigh Valley premiere of Mel Brooks' musical adaptation, "Young Frankenstein," opening Friday through Oct. 26, at Civic's historic Nineteenth Street Theatre, 527 N. 19th St. But a word for those who dare to enter: It will be nothing like its Broadway run but rather more as homage to Brooks' 1974 cult classic film of the same name. According to Civic Artistic Director William Sanders, who's directing the production, in his exhausting search for the rights for a season opener, "We found something in 'Young Frankenstein' that we thought would be a blast."
An avid fan of Brooks' film, Sanders admitted he had not seen the Broadway production of "Young Frankenstein: The Musical," which made its Broadway debut in November 2007. It features music and lyrics by Mel Brooks and a book by Brooks and Thomas Meehan.
Sanders said he heard from colleagues that the Broadway production was a bit overblown with elaborate sets and costumes. After much discussion, he and Civic designers decided to take on the challenge and create their own re-imagined, simplified version of telling the story, Sanders explained, "landing the jokes and familiar characters and gags in a manner that would engage the audience, both fans of the film and those new to this silly, slightly naughty and crazy fractured tale."
"Young Frankenstein" follows the story of Frederick Frankenstein, grandson of infamous monster-maker, Dr. Victor Frankenstein, who leaves his madcap fiancé, Elizabeth, in New York as he travels to Transylvania to wrap up his grandfather's estate. Once there, assisted by a hunchbacked sidekick, Igor, and an attractive lab assistant, Inga, he unexpectedly finds himself in the mad-scientist shoes of his ancestors – but not without scary and quite often hilarious complications.
Making their Civic debut will be Jarrod Yuskauskus as Frederick Frankenstein and Noah Ruebeck as Igor. Off stage, Yuskauskus is a teacher and drama director at Moravian Academy in Bethlehem who has performed locally with Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre. Ruebeck is one of his students at Moravian Academy. Their last project together was the musical adaptation of “My Favorite Year,” in which Yuskauskus directed Ruebeck as a character based on a young Mel Brooks.
Sanders said the teacher/director and student relationship brings a special chemistry to the stage as Yuskauskus and Ruebeck portray the "Young Frankenstein" duo. (In the film, Gene Wilder was Frederick Frankenstein; Marty Feldman was Igor).
Also in the Civic cast are Eileen Veghte as Elizabeth, Morgan Reilly as Inga, Bob Trexler as the Monster, Roseann Damico Schatkowski as Frau Blucher, and JoAnn Basist as Inspector Kemp. Other company members include Connor Harrison, Gianna Beleno, Kate Varley, Kirk Lawrence-Howard, Kristen Sehn, Kristen Stachina, Marie Ann Sutera, Nina Attinello, Pamela Westphal, Patrick Mertz, Reese Diaz, Robert Stinner and Ted Williams.
Sanders and Gwen Swanson-Vigorito are co-choreographers. Set design is by Jason Sherwood; costume and lighting design by Will Morris. Steve Reisteter, who has performed in orchestras for Civic for more than 30 years, will serve as its musical director for the first time. A music teacher in the Whitehall-Coplay School District, he is active with the Allentown Symphony Orchestra and the Allentown Band.
Sanders said he hopes audiences will embrace Civic's "Young Frankenstein" and "enjoy what we're doing in terms of trying to distill the genius of the film into a fun evening of musical theater. I'd like them to leave in pain from laughing."
For further info: civictheatre.com
ARTS ROUNDUP
Everything you ever wanted to know about one of pop art's founding fathers can be found in the exhibit, "Robert Indiana from A to Z: The Alphabet and the Icons," beginning Sunday at the Allentown Art Museum of the Lehigh Valley, 31 N. Fifth St. Nearly 100 works of art from Indiana's private collection, including childhood drawings and works never before made public, are featured.
The exhibit provides insight into Indiana's landmark career, involving American themes, bright colors and simple compositions. Indiana is a recognized word artist, renowned for his icons including LOVE, HOPE, ART, EAT, and his latest masterpiece, The Alphabet, using text as image. Born Robert Clark in New Castle, Indiana, he developed an interest in Americana and display signs along the highway.
In conjunction with the Robert Indiana exhibit, complementary pop hits from the museum's permanent collection are on display, titled "American Pop: The Prints." In addition to Indiana, works on paper include such names as Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns, James Rosenquist, Larry Rivers, Mel Ramos, Ed Ruscha and Robert Rauschenberg. Two additional pop works are on loan from Muhlenberg College's Martin Art Gallery.
Both exhibits run through Jan. 25, 2015.
For further info: allentownartmuseum.org
***
The Reading Symphony Orchestra kicks off its 102nd season with renowned soloists Timothy Lees, violin and Ilya Finkelshteyn, cello, on Saturday at 7:30 p.m., at the Santander Performing Arts Center, 136 N. Sixth St., Reading. The two will perform Brahms' "Double Concerto" with the orchestra. Also on the program is "Ancient Airs and Dances, Suite No. 1," composed by Respighi and "Symphony No. 4" composed by Tchaikovsky. Conductor is Andrew Constantine.
Lees, a native of Philadelphia, is concertmaster of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Finkelshteyn, born in Russia, is principal cellist of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. He is on the faculty at the University of Cincinnati - College-Conservatory of Music.
New this season for the Reading Symphony Orchestra are pre-show, lobby performances by select high school chamber ensembles from Berks County. Saturday's performance features a piano trio and string quartet from Exeter Township High School, under the direction of Brian Mishler. Alvernia University is season sponsor of this pilot program.
The orchestra also has a new executive director, Jon P. Mosbo, who had worked with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Binghamton Philharmonic, and Virginia Symphony Orchestra.
For further info: readingsymphony.org
***
Halloween happenings are in full swing across the region. In Berks County, the haunted hayride and haunted barn takes place Friday through Sunday and Oct. 17 and 18, at Jim Dietrich Park, 4899 Stoudt's Ferry Bridge Rd., Muhlenberg Township. Participating in the event is the Muhlenberg Junior Women's Club with pumpkin and face painting, and Friends of the Library with storytime in the barn. The event features inflatable amusements and carnival games.
For further info: muhlenbergtwp.com
***
In historic Bethlehem, the Moravian Book Shop at 428 Main St., is conducting hour-long, haunted walking tours by candlelight. Beginning Oct. 17, Easton also will have haunted tours beginning from Centre Square.
For further info: moravianbookshop.com hauntedeaston.com
***
Players of the Stage, whose tagline is "Bringing God's Light to the World of Theater," is presenting "12 Angry Jurors," directed by Abby Mills, beginning tonight at 7 and running through Saturday at Living Hope Presbyterian Church, 330 Schantz Rd., Lower Macungie Township, Lehigh County. The play is based on the Emmy Award-winning film by Reginald Rose, adapted by Sherman L. Sergel.
The production is a benefit show for Care Net. Tickets are free; reservations required. An offering will be taken to support the work of the organization. According to Players of the Stage, the theater company has raised more than $100,000 in its last seven seasons for nonprofits of the Lehigh Valley.
For further info: 610-310-7604
***
The State Theatre's Cabaret in the Acopian Ballroom series features "Carmen Jon: Returning Home," on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The Easton native, recognized as "the man with the golden voice," has performed in supper clubs nationwide and at Carnegie Hall, the Academy of Music with the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the St. Louis Municipal Opera. He's also performed on television and in musical comedy.
The State Theatre Center for the Arts is located at 453 Northampton St., Easton.
For further info: statetheatre.org carmenjon.com
***
The Allentown Symphony Orchestra pops concert on Saturday at 8 p.m. features "Broadway Rocks!" with Broadway's Capathia Jenkins, Christiane Noll and Rob Evan, at Miller Symphony Hall, 23 N. Sixth St., Allentown. The trio will perform selections from rock and contemporary Broadway hits, under the direction of Conductor Ronald Demkee.
Jenkins was Medda in Disney's Broadway production of "Newsies." Noll made her Broadway debut as Emma in "Jekyll & Hyde." Evan appeared in the original Broadway cast of "Jekyll & Hyde" and also as Jean Valjean in Broadway's "Les Miserables."
Also sharing the stage: Parkland (High School) Chorale, under the direction of Francis Anonia, musical director of Parkland’s spring musical program; and Charter Arts Touring Choir, under the direction of David Macbeth.
For further info: millersymphonyhall.org
***
Puss n Boots, the American alternative country band featuring nine-time Grammy Award winner Norah Jones with Sasha Dobson and Catherine Popper, will perform Sunday at 7:30 p.m., in the ArtsQuest Center's Musikfest Café, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem.
For further info: artsquest.org
#