Oakland University presents ‘Young Frankenstein,’ a musical version of Mel Brooks’ comedy horror masterpiece

Oakland University’s Department of Theatre in the School of Music, Theatre and Dance will present Young Frankenstein, a musical version of the comic horror masterpiece by Mel Brooks, from Feb. 12-16 and Feb. 18-20 in Varner Studio Theatre on the OU campus in Rochester, Mich.

“We are delighted to share this production with our audiences, while bringing laughter and ‘monster love’ to OU’s Studio Theatre,” said Director David Gram, Associate Professor of Theatre and Interim Chair of the Department of Theatre at OU.

Based on the 1974 movie by Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder, Young Frankenstein is a hilarious homage to classic horror movies of the 1920s and 30s.  Filled with show tunes that pay tribute to the musical stylings of Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, and Jerome Kern; the “buddy musicals” of Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and Danny Kaye; and the movie musicals featuring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Young Frankenstein is pure, unabashed musical comedy.

“Yet, for all the wonderful silliness within the show, the musical subtly addresses themes of identity and how we strive to carve our own path while reckoning with family legacy; the understanding and acceptance of the ‘other’ and those who present as ‘outside’ of perceived societal norms; finding the balance between the brain (‘thinking/logic’) and the heart (‘passion/desire’); and how science and technology can be both innovative and dangerous,” Gram said.

Oakland University student Deagan Krohn, a third-year musical theatre major who plays “The Monster” in Young Frankenstein, said the way the character is portrayed in the musical drew him to the role.

“Where I feel this character differs from other adaptations is the innocent-like charm that is written for the character,” he said. “The comedy of this character comes from his innocent-like wonder and the chaos that ensues from it. That is what draws me so close to the character as it taps into a place where I can just play and explore the space around me.”

Krohn credits the directors, choreographers, professors and others he has worked with during his time at OU with helping him to bring “The Monster” to life on stage.

“The main thing I have taken away from this process is to just play,” he said. “We live to play in theatre and this role has been a great reminder of that.”

Grace Lawrence, a musical theatre major and senior at OU who is playing the role of Dr. Frederick Frankenstein’s fiancé, Elizabeth Benning, said she knew from the start that she wanted the role.

“I can’t think of a better way to end my time at OU than with this role,” she said. “Coming in as a musical theatre freshman four years ago, I had a lot of anxiety and insecurities about whether I belonged here. I loved performing, but I had so much fear around having to constantly prove myself. Now, at 21, I feel like Elizabeth is the manifestation of the confidence and security I have gained while in school.

"I’ve learned so many new foundational skills, and improved on my greatest strengths," Lawrence added. "I’m not as introverted as I used to be. I’m no longer afraid to put myself out there and potentially fall on my face. I’ve tried to take all of these more confident and bigger pieces of myself and bring them to Elizabeth. I couldn’t be more proud of myself, my friends, and everyone behind this production. It’s going to be an incredible show!"

Tickets for Young Frankenstein range from $20 to $25 and can be purchased only at etix.com. Complimentary rush tickets are available to Oakland University students at the box office up to one hour before the performance with a Grizz ID.

A pre-show conversation – “Together Again (Not for the First Time): Horror & Comedy in Young Frankenstein – A Conversation with Director David Gram and Assistant Professor of Film Annie Sullivan” -- will also take place at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 16.

For more information about this and other SMTD performances, visit www.oakland.edu/smtd/performances-and-events.

Performance Schedule

• Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 8 p.m.

• Thursday, Feb. 13 at 8 p.m.

• Friday, Feb. 14 at 8 p.m.

• Saturday, Feb. 15 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

• Sunday, Feb. 16 at 2 p.m.

• Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 8 p.m.

• Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 8 p.m.

• Thursday, Feb. 20 at 8 p.m.