Mel Brooks Musical Comedy YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN Opens 34th Season at the Norris Theatre

Palos Verdes Performing Arts is mounting a new staging of Mel Brook's Broadway hit musical comedy "Young Frankenstein," which was adapted from the comic genius' classic 1974 movie. The production will run September 23 to October 9 the 450-seat Norris Theatre on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in the South Bay area of Los Angeles.

The Palos Verdes Performing Arts production features sets and costumes from the national tour of "Young Frankenstein." Helmed by Director James Gruessing, with choreography by Daniel Smith and music direction by JarEd Scott, the musical is accompanied by a 14-piece orchestra.

The 24-member cast stars Broadway veteran Larry Raben (Frederick Frankenstein); Ovation Award winner Tracy Lore (Frau Blucher); Anne Montavon (Inga); Chris Kaurffman (Igor); Pablo Rossil (the Monster); Lindsey Alley (Elizabeth) and Greg Nicholas (Inspector Kemp).

Like Mel Brook's monsterously funny film, the production is a parody of the horror film genre, especially the 1931 Universal Pictures adaptation of Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" and its sequel, "Son of Frankenstein." In a reimagining of the famous legend, the grandson of mad scientist Victor Frankenstein inherits his family's estate in Transylvania, and with the help of his hunchbacked side-kick and leggy lab assistant, he brings to life a creature to rival his grandfather's. The musical is filled with wickedly inspired, show-stopping production numbers such as "Puttin' on the Ritz," "Transylvania Mania" and "He Vas My Boyfriend."

"Young Frankenstein" features a book by three-time Tony award-winner Mel Brooks and multiple Tony award-winner Thomas Meehan, with music and lyrics by Brooks. Opening on Broadway in 2007, the production was nominated for three Tonies, and a Grammy for Best Musical Show Album, in addition to winning the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical.

The Oscar-nominated film was written by Brooks with the movie's star, Gene Wilder, and in 2000 it was selected as number 13 on AFI's 100 Funniest American Movies of All Time.

Performances for the September 23 - October 9 run of "Young Frankenstein" are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays, plus 2 p.m. matinees on Saturday October 1 and 8. Ticket prices range from $55-$65, plus a $5 per ticket facility fee. The production is not recommended for children under 13. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the box office at (310) 544-0403 or go to palosverdesperformingarts.com. The Norris Theatre is located at 27570 Norris Center Drive in Rolling Hills Estates.

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