BWW Reviews: YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN in Cincinnati

Now playing at the Aronoff Center for the Arts: Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein.

While the orchestra (which sounded phenomenal) played the overture, an image with the castle and the words "Young Frankenstein," in a font reminiscent of a type you'd see on an old movie, was projected on a screen. The image set the tone for the musical, based on Brooks' classic vaudevillian comedy, and it plays out much like the movie.

It's 1934 and Dr. Frankenstein's grandson (also a doctor, though he didn't have much to do with his grandfather, even insisting his name to be pronounced differently) has arrived in Transylvania to settle his recently deceased grandfather's estate. From his journey to the castle on a hay wagon with a very pretty young girl who becomes his new assistant (a comical song and one of my favorite scenes) to meeting the stern, matronly housekeeper (I will admit to having to be reminded as to why the horses whinnied at the sound of her name), Dr. Frankenstein is persuaded to honor the family tradition of creating a monster of his own. He's successful, and just as before, the monster escapes and runs a muck in town, scaring the village people and kidnapping a woman.

The cast was top-notch and made the musical that much more enjoyable. Christopher Ryan as Dr. Frankenstein was perfect, as was Cory English as Igor. Joanna Glushak was a formidable Frau Blucher and both Synthia Link, Dr. Frankenstein's new girlfriend/assistant, and Janine DiVita, as the doctor's fiancee, brought the right amount of femininity to their roles. And Preston Truman Boyd stole the show as The Monster, especially in the much anticipated performance of "Puttin' on the Ritz."

Experiencing the highly talented cast is worth the ticket price alone. And as someone familiar with Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, I found the literary references to be fun and enjoyable with Brooks' comedic twists.

Young Frankenstein will play the Aronoff Center November 16-28, 2010: Tuesday-Friday at 8:00PM, Saturday at 2:00PM and 8:00PM, and Sunday at 1:00PM and 6:30PM. Tickets range in price from $27.50-$66.50 depending on the seat location and performance date. Tickets may be purchased from an authorized ticket agent online at www.broadwayacrossamerica.com or by phone at 1-800-982-2787.