GRT showcases satirical classic News Staff Mon, 06/17/2024 - 1:57 pm Summer musical ‘Young Frankenstein’ to ‘shock’ audiences this weekend
(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Graham Regional Theatre actors rehearse a scene Saturday, June 15 from ‘Young Frankenstein’ which will have performances this week at Graham Memorial Auditorium. 
(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Actors in the musical production of ‘Young Frankenstein’ rehearse a song Saturday, June 15 at Graham Memorial Auditorium.
Tayte Ward news@grahamleader.com
Throw the first switch – actors will soon light the stage and bring their creation to life.
Graham Regional Theatre will be performing Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein” for their summer musical Friday, June 21 through Sunday, June 23 at Graham Memorial Auditorium.
GRT Assistant Director Katie Huitt and Vocal Director Kay Berru, who will be starring as Elizabeth Benning and Fran Blucher respectively, said the musical will be different from their usual productions.
“This one is really just kind of a crazy spin on Mary Shelley’s classic, ‘Frankenstein,’ but what I love about it is that it gives us the opportunity to laugh at these literary figures and to poke fun at this nonsense,” Huitt said.
Several dozen people appeared Saturday, May 4, when GRT hosted auditions. Since then, cast members and the production crew have spent time at the auditorium working to put together their performance.
“It’s a big deal when you first start talking about putting on a musical like this,” Huitt said. “It’s technically a large undertaking. There’s set-building that’s happening all hours of the night. There are projections and lighting, and there’s blocking and choreography and costuming and all of the things that always come together.”
Huitt’s husband, Charles, will take on a lead role as the monster while Berru’s son, Zach, will be playing Dr. Frederick Frankenstein.
“(Zach’s) first show back (from college) was ‘A Christmas Carol,’ (when) he played Jacob Marley,” Huitt said. “He did a great job, and I just love that we got him back for this. …He has great comedic timing. He has an excellent voice. …He understands the character really, really well. He’s obviously done his homework, too.”
The two stated that the musical this year is intended for more mature audiences.
“There are some situations in the musical that are not as family-friendly as some other shows we’ve done in the past,” Huitt said.
Huitt and Berru said although the performance is sure to provide the audience with plenty of laughs, the message behind the story is very real.
“It doesn’t matter where you came from or who you are perceived to be. You get to decide who you are. …You bring what you bring to the world. The monster, …he didn’t have a choice whether he was made or not, but then he got to make the choices for himself on what he did with his future,” Huitt said. “In a silly, goofy way, it’s really a story of us saying don’t judge people because you might be wrong.”
“Young Frankenstein” will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, June 21, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, June 22 and at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 23.
Tickets range from $12 to $15 and can be purchased online at grahamregionaltheatre.com.
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