WEST WINDSOR, N.J. – Combine a classic horror movie with a comedy legend and what do you get? “The Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein,” presented by Maurer Productions OnStage Oct. 24 to Nov. 2 at the Kelsey Theatre on the West Windsor Campus of Mercer County Community College.
Just in time for Halloween, “Young Frankenstein” is a comedic, musical re-imagining of the legend of Frankenstein, this time as the story of the bright young doctor Frankenstein (that's Fronkensteen!) who travels to Transylvania to complete the masterwork of his grandfather by bringing a corpse to life. With the help of a hunchbacked sidekick and a leggy lab assistant, Frederick finds himself in the mad scientist shoes of his ancestor as he brings to life a creature to rival his grandfather's. Eventually, of course, the monster escapes and hilarity abounds.
“Young Frankenstein” is a musical based on the Mel Brooks 1974 comedy film by the same name, with a book by Brooks and Thomas Meehan and music and lyrics by Brooks. It is a parody of the horror film genre, especially the 1931 adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and its 1935 and 1939 sequels, Bride of Frankenstein and Son of Frankenstein. The musical opened on Broadway in November 2007 and closed in January 2009 after 484 performances.
“Young Frankenstein" features an impressive ensemble cast, including William Kamps of Burlington, N.J., as Fredrick Frankenstein; Justin Jajalla of North Brunswick, N.J., as Igor; Pat Rounds of Hamilton, N.J., as The Monster; Kim Pearson of Fairless Hills, Pa., as Inga; Jenny Weiner of East Windsor, N.J., as Elizabeth; Cindy Chait of West Windsor, N.J., as Frau Blücher; Ed Liu of Brooklyn, N.Y., as Inspector Kemp; Rob Gougher as Victor Von Frankenstein; Chris Boerner of East Windsor as The Hermit; and Brian Wurtz of Levittown, Pa., as Ziggy/ensemble. Members of the ensemble include Bob Abrahamson of Newtown, Pa.; Micah Goldschmidt of West Windsor; Jenna Moschella, Christina Parke, and Marc Suznovich of Hamilton; Megan Moyers of Stratford, N.J.; Christopher Schmalbach of Lawrenceville, N.J.; Aurora Slothus of Clarksburg, N.J., and Stacy Danka.
The “Young Frankenstein” creative team includes Producer/Director John Maurer and Producer Diana Maurer, both of Ewing; Music Director Laurie Gougher; Stage Manager Melissa Gaynor of Wrightstown, N.J.; and Choreographer Haley Schmalback of Lawrenceville. Costumes are by Anthony Wurtz of Levittown with props by Diana Maurer and set design by John Maurer. Jeff Cantor is the master builder, with lighting by Judi Parrish and sound by Noah Schwartz.
Dates and showtimes for “Young Frankenstein” are Friday, Oct. 24 and Oct. 31 at 8 p.m., with matinee performances Saturday, Oct. 25 and Nov. 1 at 2 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 26 and Nov. 2. Performances are at the Kelsey Theatre on Mercer County Community College’s West Windsor Campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. Kelsey Theatre will host a Halloween party following the Oct. 31 performance—guests are invited to come in costume and join the fun!
Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible, with free parking next to the Theatre. For a complete listing of adult and children's events, visit the Kelsey website or call the box office for a brochure.
Kelsey Theatre is located on the MCCC campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road in West Windsor Township. The theatre is wheelchair accessible, with free parking available next to the theatre. Assisted listening devices are available upon request.
For a complete listing of adult and children's events, visit the Kelsey website at www.KelseyTheatre.org or call the box office for a brochure.
At Kelsey Theatre, we have pledged to take active steps in creating true diversity, equity and inclusion in our productions through systemic policy change and individual accountability -- aiming to foster an inclusive environment for people of all races, genders, nationalities, creeds, sexual orientation, socio-economic status and abilities.” –The Kelsey Team
Justin Jajalla as Igor, William Kamps as Frederick Frankenstein, Kim Pearson as Inga, Cindy Chait as Frau Blücher and Pat Rounds as The Monster in Maurer Productions OnStage’s production of “The Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein,” Oct. 24-Nov. 2 at the Kelsey Theatre on Mercer County Community College’s West Windsor Campus.
Chris Boerner as The Hermit and Pat Rounds as The Monster in Maurer Productions OnStage’s production of “The Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein,” Oct. 24-Nov. 2 at the Kelsey Theatre on Mercer County Community College’s West Windsor Campus.