BWW Reviews: YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN Amuses Audience

This past Saturday I continued my uncharacteristic tour of "scary" Halloween themed plays with Red Mountain Theatre Company's production of YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN. Of course, this Mel Brooks musical is not really scary, but it is definitely fun and entertaining. I found myself laughing out loud many times.

I have to give special kudos to the set designer and all involved in set changes. Nothing can drag a show down quicker than slow transitions. I have come to love the shows that are set in one spot though out. This is not the case here where the scenes are in many different locales. The set is designed to change quickly, efficiently and yet take you some place very different from where you were before.

I also have to say the direction and choreography are clean and interesting. According to the program these duties are shared by co-directors/ choreographers Kent Zimmerman and Joey Cullinane. Their work is inventive, slick and engaging. The show makes full use of the space and keeps all three sides of the audience involved.

But the real stand out here is the cast. All of the voices are superb, the characters are perfectly cast and the dance numbers are well performed. You have to love a show with a big tap number, and "Puttin' on the Ritz" is a show stopper. Each voice, whether that of a main character or an ensemble member, is better than the next and when the whole group sings, it rivals anything I have heard here in Birmingham or even NYC.

Sam Hartley as Dr. Frankenstein is earnest as a doctor trying to cut his ties from the family of monster builders he was born into. His fiancée Elizabeth, played by Jessica Clark, is appropriately annoying in the beginning and relatable in the end. Ms. Clark's voice perfectly suited the range of singing she is called to do. Tam DaBolt is funny and truly steals the show, in a good way. I could go on to list each cast member, each is certainly noteworthy. But I would be remiss to not mention the monster himself played by David Coker. He is just right for this show, more lovable than scary. He comes across as abnormal and misunderstood at first, then polished and intelligent by the end.

Although some could find moments of the show quite silly and others might find the show long, I was completely in to the fun and silliness from the start. The fresh, young talent as well as some Birmingham standards kept me entertained until the end. This is my kind of Halloween fun!

YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN continues next weekend October 30- November 2 at the Red Mountain Theatre Company's downtown cabaret space. Go to redmountaintheatre.org for tickets and info.

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