It's Alive! Mel Brooks Musical YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN Opens at Jewish Community Center's White Theatre

The 13th season of the White Theatre, produced by The Jewish Community Center's Arts + Culture Department, opens Saturday evening, Nov. 4 with Mel Brooks musical, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN. This hilarious musical is based on the classic Mel Brooks film, embellished as only Brooks can.

With book by Brooks and Thomas Meehan and music and lyrics by Brooks, audiences will roar with laughter as they follow Frederick Frankenstein, the grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, as he travels to Transylvania to inherit his family estate. Brooks' trademark zaniness ensues, complete with tap-dancing monster, singing hunchback, and obsessive police inspector!

Kansas City favorite, Missy Koonce, veteran of the Unicorn, American Heartland Theatre, the Arts Asylum, and Musical Theatre Heritage at Crown Center, directs an all-star cast of talented local performers.

"Young Frankenstein has always been one of my all time favorite movies," Koonce said. "That they filmed in black and white, the campy style and the Mel Brooks comic timing; were all things that I absolutely loved. We wanted to embrace that concept, really hone in on the story and try to highlight those iconic moments of the classic film."

As part of the J's production of YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, noted Broadway and film star Roger Bart is coming to Kansas City for two special surround events. Bart starred as Dr. Frankenstein on Broadway and is best known for originating the role of Carmen Ghia in the Mel Brooks' Broadway musical hit, THE PRODUCERS. Bart has won both Tony and Drama Desk Awards for his portrayal of Snoopy in the musical YOU'RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN, appeared in the TV series, Desperate Housewives, and is currently featured in Netflix series A Series of Unfortunate Events and Grace and Frankie as well as the Showtime series Episodes. Other television credits include Revenge, Desperate Housewives and 30 Rock.

The two events are:

• Saturday night, Nov. 18 (post-show): Talkback with Roger Bart. The actor will share his insights about performing the role of Dr. Frankenstein and the Broadway production (Complimentary with ticket purchase).

• Sunday, Nov. 19 at 11:30 a.m.: Brunch with Roger Bart. Enjoy a delicious kosher brunch - complete with mimosas - as Bart regales participants with tales of his acting career including his stint as Dr. Frankenstein on Broadway. Space is limited. (Tickets are $50).

Tickets for YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN are $25 for the general public, $18 for J members and $14for students. Group and season tickets are also available. For performance, brunch tickets and reservations, please contact the White Theatre box office at The J by phone at (913) 327-8054, email boxoffice@thejkc.org or visit the box office in person form 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. week days and one and a half hours prior to performance.

Evening performances at 7:30 p.m. are scheduled for Nov. 4, 9, 11, 16 & 18 with 2 p.m. matinees on Sundays Nov. 5, 12 and 19.

The White Theatre is located in the Jewish Community Campus, 5801 W. 115th St., in Overland Park, Kansas.

About "The J"

Established more than 100 years ago, the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City-The J, provides a warm welcome to families of all backgrounds. The J's all-in-one hub for health, learning and well-being elevates the lives of the community and its members with programs of excellence in fitness, sports, theatre, arts + culture, senior adult programming and youth services including summer camps and child development. Everyone can "live up" at The J, located in Overland Park, Kansas, and at thejkc.org.

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