Brooks Alive!
by David C. Jones
CharPo senior contributor David C. Jones spoke with director Chance Newman about Last Chance Productions upcoming presentation of Young Frankenstein. He and his crew are busy commuting between Washington and Vancouver. In February 2012 Last Chance Productions brought Evil Dead the Musical to Vancouver, a show that they took on tour to other locales. This time they are starting off in Vancouver with Mel Brooks's musical adaptation of his hit comedy Young Frankenstein.
NEWMAN: We really like the people in Vancouver and the Waterfront Theatre. We were treated really well here so we thought this would be the best place to start. We like this city.
CHARPO: What is your favourite part of the show so far in the rehearsal process?
NEWMAN: The scene where they descend into the laboratory is (currently) my favourite. The music and the songs are all so great but that in this scene it gets really spooky and creepy; there is a sense of haunted, scary. The audience is going to love it.
CHARPO: Did Mel Brooks get the rights to the famous 1929 Irving Berlin “Puttin’ On the Ritz” so hilariously performed by Gene Wilder and Peter Boyle in the original 1974 movie.
NEWMAN: Have you not heard the Broadway soundtrack? Mr. Brooks not only got the rights but expanded it into a big production number. There is tap dancing and almost the whole cast is involved.
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[Young Frankenstein began previews on Broadway on October 11, 2007 and closed on January 4, 2009 after 485 performances. Directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman, it starred Roger Bart as Frankenstein, Megan Mullally as Elizabeth, Foster as Inga, Andrea Martin as Frau Blucher. It was nominated for three Tony Awards.]
CHARPO: Who is the cast in this production?
NEWMAN: We have a great cast of actors that Vancouver is going to really love. They are so talented and fun.
Young Frankenstein runs from October 4-13
CHARPO: Who is the cast in this production?
NEWMAN: We have a great cast of actors that Vancouver is going to really love. They are so talented and fun.
I just saw the show. While I admire what they are attempting to do and the energy and verve of the young cast, I am shocked there are no cast bios in the lobby and no program to read. No press release with their names and nothing on the web-site. This meant the young cast are working without any recognition. I hope they are at least getting paid for their efforts.
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