Theatre Baton Rouge is bringing “Young Frankenstein” back from the dead.
Since its premiere on Broadway in 2007, “Young Frankenstein” has gone on to find success with hundreds of shows and multiple U.S. tours.
Based on the Mel Brooks’ film of the same name, “Young Frankenstein” tells the story of Fredrick Frankenstein — pronounced “Fronkensteen” — the grandson of the infamous Victor von Frankenstein, who goes to Transylvania to settle his grandfather’s affairs and gets caught up in his family’s business of bringing the dead back to life.
The famous musical is being brought to Louisiana by Theatre Baton Rouge, a local theatre company with a history of bringing high-profile shows to the city. Theatre Baton Rouge, formerly known as the Baton Rouge Little Theater, is one of the first regional theaters to put on the show, making this a significant performance for the area.
The show boasts several popular musical numbers that carry the energy. The songs “He Vas My Boyfriend,” “Life, Life” and “Transylvania Mania” are a few highlights, as well as the classic “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” which is the climax of the show.
The musical’s special effects hold the show to high acclaim. The theater has incorporated pyrotechnics, spinning bookcases and even a Tesla coil to spice up the action.
Kurt Hauschild, the musical’s director, said the show’s eclectic actors make this musical exciting.
“Getting the time to work with these actors to develop these crazy characters has been a great experience,” Hauschild said. “These are very Mel Brooks, very out-there characters.”
Fredrick Frankenstein is played by English senior Zac Thriffiley, who wanted to bring his own distinct flair to the part.
“I grew up with the movie, so when I got the part, I watched the movie once and then never again. I wanted to know the original, but I didn’t want to feel trapped by that because I knew I could never do it the same way Gene Wilder did. I have made it my own,” Thriffiley said.
The eponymous Frankenstein remains on stage for almost the entirety of the show and sets the tone for the musical. Thriffiley’s performance is essential to the plot of the musical, which focuses on the character’s shift from straight-laced doctor to mad scientist.
“Deep down, he’s this crazy, wacky, bringing-dead-things-to-life kind of guy. So it’s really fun to find that border between sane doctor and that mad scientist,” Thriffiley said.
Thriffiley said the musical is great for fans of the film and those who want an entirely new experience.
“It’s so classic and iconic. The musical takes something really familiar and plays with that and brings something new,” Thriffiley said. “People who know the story and people who are new are going to enjoy it just as much.”
“People who know the story and people who are new are going to enjoy it just as much.”
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Dr. Fredrick Frankenstein played by Zac Thriffiley (center) is haunted by his relatives in a nightmare Monday, March 11, 2014 during a dress rehearsal for Young Frankenstein at Theatre Baton Rouge.
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Dr. Fredrick Frankenstein played by Zac Thriffiley (top) brings life to the monster played by Lance Parker (bottom) on Monday, March 11, 2014 during a dress rehearsal for Young Frankenstein at Theatre Baton Rouge.
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Inga played by Marlo Dupre (center) dances with the chorus Monday, March 11, 2014 during a dress rehearsal for Young Frankenstein at Theatre Baton Rouge.
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Igor played by Anthony Pierre (top) hops on the back of the monster played by Lance Parker (bottom) on Monday, March 11, 2014 during a dress rehearsal for Young Frankenstein at Theatre Baton Rouge.
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Igor played by Anthony Pierre (right), Inga played by Marlo Dupre (center) and Dr. Fredrick Frankenstein played by Zac Thriffiley try to distract the people of Transylvania on Monday, March 11, 2014 during a dress rehearsal for Young Frankenstein at Theatre Baton Rouge.
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Dr. Fredrick Frankenstein played by Zac Thriffiley sings on stage Monday, March 11, 2014 during a dress rehearsal for Young Frankenstein at Theatre Baton Rouge.
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Elizabeth Benning played by Charlynn White sings on stage Monday, March 11, 2014 during a dress rehearsal for Young Frankenstein at Theatre Baton Rouge.
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Dr. Fredrick Frankenstein played by Zac Thriffiley (left) convinces the monster played by Lance Parker (right) that he is “good” Monday, March 11, 2014 during a dress rehearsal for Young Frankenstein at Theatre Baton Rouge.
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The monster played by Lance Parker (center) dances with the chorus while performing Puttin’ on the Ritz on Monday, March 11, 2014 during a dress rehearsal for Young Frankenstein at Theatre Baton Rouge.
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(from left to right) Dr. Fredrick Frankenstein played by Zac Thriffiley, Inga played by Marlo Dupre, the monster played by Lance Parker and Igor played by Anthony Pierre sing Puttin’ on the Ritz on Monday, March 11, 2014 during a dress rehearsal for Young Frankenstein at Theatre Baton Rouge.
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Ziggy played by Phil Chenevert gets the people of Transylvania excited for the hanging of Dr. Frankenstein on Monday, March 11, 2014 during a dress rehearsal for Young Frankenstein at Theatre Baton Rouge.
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The monster played by Lance Parker (left) attempts to drink wine given to him by the hermit played by Terry Byars (right) on Monday, March 11, 2014 during a dress rehearsal for Young Frankenstein at Theatre Baton Rouge.
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Frau Bleucher played by Kelly Martin belts out a song Monday, March 11, 2014 during a dress rehearsal for Young Frankenstein at Theatre Baton Rouge.
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Inga played by Marlo Dupre seduces Dr. Fredrick Frankenstein played by Zac Thriffiley (left) on Monday, March 11, 2014 during a dress rehearsal for Young Frankenstein at Theatre Baton Rouge.
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The monster played by Lance Parker sits in a chair while locked up Monday, March 11, 2014 during a dress rehearsal for Young Frankenstein at Theatre Baton Rouge.
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Dr. Fredrick Frankenstein played by Zac Thriffiley (left) speaks to the monster played by Lance Parker (right) on Monday, March 11, 2014 during a dress rehearsal for Young Frankenstein at Theatre Baton Rouge.
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The monster played by Lance Parker (left) and Inga played by Marlo Dupre lean over a dead Dr. Fredrick Frankenstein played by Zac Thriffiley on Monday, March 11, 2014 at the end of a dress rehearsal for Young Frankenstein at Theatre Baton Rouge.
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Dr. Fredrick Frankenstein played by actor Zac Thriffiley and Inga played by actress Marlo Dupre share a kiss on stage Monday, March 11, 2014 at the end of a dress rehearsal for Young Frankenstein at Theatre Baton Rouge.
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