New Musical 'Frankenstein' to Tour in '07-'08

A new musical based on Mary Shelley's classic novel Frankenstein will embark on a national tour during the 2007-2008 season.

Frankenstein, whose lumbering central character is also prominently featured in the Broadway-bound Mel Brooks musical Young Frankenstein, will likely star Ron Bohmer (The Woman in White, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Les Miserables) as Frankenstein's Monster. Bohmer was one of the stars of a staged concert of the piece, which played the New Jersey Performing Arts Center earlier this fall.

Produced by Gerald A. Goehring and Douglas C. Evans, the musical is expected to tour from 20 to 40 weeks.  No specific dates or other casting has been announced, although the tour will begin in fall of 2007.

According to earlier NJPAC notes, Frankenstein is a "bold musical adaptation of the classic Mary Shelley novel, created by a trio of New Jersey artists: composer Mark Baron, and book author-lyricists Gary P. Cohen and Jeffrey Jackson. (Frankenstein) combines stirring music, drama and imagery to tell the timeless story of a brilliant young scientist determined to master life and death. When he creates a creature of his own design, he sets in motion a tragic, terrifying chain of events that tear his world asunder, leading him on a harrowing quest to stop his murderous monster – and redeem his own tortured soul."

Bill Fennelly (resident director of The Lion King tour) will direct the musical, which will feature visual and projection design by Cirque du Soleil's Guy St-Amour.

A cast album, which includes an earlier version of the show's score, features Shuler Hensley and others.

Visit www.frankensteinontour.com for more information.