Little Theatre to stage Mel Brooks’ ‘Young Frankenstein’

Little Theatre of Tuscarawas County will open its summer musical, “Young Frankenstein,” Friday, June 27 and run Saturdays, June 28 and July 5; Friday, July 11; and Saturday, July 12 at 7:30 p.m. Matinees will be presented Sunday, June 29; Saturday, July 5; and Sundays, July 6 and 13 at 2:30 p.m.

The musical theater farce, based on Mel Brooks’ 1974 film of the same name, is a parody of Mary Shelley’s novel “Frankenstein.” In the stage version, Victor Frankenstein, the mad scientist of legend, has died and left everything to his grandson Frederick, who wants nothing to do with the family’s notorious legacy. To settle his inheritance, he travels to his grandfather’s castle in Transylvania, where he is sucked into his grandfather’s experiments and succeeds in creating human life.

By the time they realize the monster has been accidentally given an abnormal brain, it has escaped, seemingly set to terrorize the countryside like the monsters before him. The question arises: Will Frederick repeat the mistakes of his grandfather or succeed where the others have not and turn his monster into a dapper, intelligent man about town?

Artistic Director Tom Morris said he chose the show because it was written by Brooks. “I have always liked the show,” he said. “Mel Brooks is a master at comedy and farce, and I think that the musical stage version of the show will be a riotous, good time for the audience.”

Morris said the production contains adult themes and language.

Included in the cast are Larry Sams as Frederick Frankenstein; Corey Zickel, Inspector Kemp; Jonathan Jurado, Igor; Bill Hammerstrom, Victor Frankenstein; Ryan Best, Monster; Mark Hilan, Hermit; Dylan Dunn, Ziggy; April Bonvechio, Elizabeth; Anna Zurcher, Inga; and Wendy Schanz, Frau Blucher.

The ensemble consists of Jaxon Burdette, Gaven Mitchell, Palmer Witt, Derek Shimek, Will Hammerstrom, Nathan Robinson, Rylan Pettay, Casey McMillan, Jacob Geib, Kaleigh McCutcheon, Elaina Samsa, Allie Convection, Abigail Zeedyk, Morgan Marshall, Shavonne McMillan, Bri Best, Chelsea Rhodes, Amy Vance, Sheila Samsa-Witt and Caitlin Allshouse.

Serving as crew members are Conner Limbaugh, assistant director; Pat Potter, production assistant; Megan Sams, music director; Missy Zickel, choreographer; Patty and Mark Limbaugh, stage managers; Joe Compton and Matt Spies, set and lighting; Jana Martino and Patty Limbaugh, costumes; Patty Limbaugh, props; Rachel Ress and Pat Potter, hair and makeup; and Britni Toukonen, Luke Morris and Stephanie Freitag, crew.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for children and students, They may be purchased at the KSU Performing Arts Center Box Office at 330-308-6400 or at the theater before performances.

“Young Frankenstein” is sponsored by Dr. Philip and Caroline Dixon. The Little Theatre is located at 466 Carrie Ave. NW in New Philadelphia.