New Musical 'Frankenstein' Begins Off-Broadway October 10

Frankenstein, a new musical inspired by Mary Shelley's novel, will begin performances off-Broadway at 37 Arts (450 West 37th Street) on Wednesday, October 10th. Opening night is Thursday, November 1st.  Presented by Gerald Goehring and Douglas C. Evans, in association with Michael F. Mitri and David S. Stone, Frankenstein features music by Mark Baron, book and lyrics by Jeffrey Jackson, original story adaptation by Gary P. Cohen and direction by Bill Fennelly (Producing Artistic Director at Actor's Express).  Casting is soon to be announced.

"Frankenstein tells the epic story of the rebel doctor who challenges the laws of nature and morality when he breathes life into his inanimate creature. Faced with intolerance and adversity, the doctor's creation also learns to rebel against world around him, ultimately destroying the very man who gave him life," state press notes. 

"Our goal was to create an adaptation that remains faithful to Shelley's original novel," say Mark Baron and Jeffrey Jackson. " Frankenstein has inspired nearly two centuries of adaptations in almost every medium imaginable.  While today's audiences may be most familiar with the film adaptations, we've gone directly back to the source.  In deconstructing one of the most popular story of all time, we hope to offer new a perspective for contemporary audiences."

Baron (Music) has composed musical adaptations of Treasure Island and Snow White, which both premiered at the Forum Theater in Metuchen, NJ, and The Reluctant Dragon, in collaboration with Gary P. Cohen. Baron has musically directed and conducted close to 100 productions and is currently the resident musical director at Plays-in-the-Park in Edison, NJ In 2006, he was the winner of the NJ Star Ledger's "Jersey's Best" award for Best Orchestration for the show Baby, It's Cold Outside. He also arranged and orchestrated the current tour of The Kid From Brooklyn, The Danny Kaye Story as well as the New York premiere of The Great Hall at the Sanford Meisner Theater. Apart from the theater, Baron has played in some of the largest venues around the country accompanying legendary performers including Aretha Franklin, The Drifters, Peaches and Herb, Joan Rivers, Freda Payne, Little Anthony, The Platters, Dion, Clark Terry, Steve Tourre and Slide Hampton.  He is currently the Musical Director and arranger for the famed 1960's vocal group The Duprees. 

Jackson (Book & Lyrics) is an award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker, as well as a veteran musical theater actor. He penned the screenplay White Collared (Best Screenplay, Santa Barbara Film Festival an  wrote, directed and starred in the acclaimed short film, Our First Fight, which has toured film festivals around the world.  In the theater, he has performed in many musical theater productions and directed Ragtime at Plays-in-the-Park, Edison, NJ.

Frankenstein begins performances at 37 Arts (450 West 37th Street)  Wednesday, October 10th. Opening night is Thursday, November 1st.  Performances are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8PM; Wednesday and Sunday at 3 PM; and Saturdays at 2 PM.  Tickets go on sale Monday, August 6, 2007 and $20.00 student rush tickets are available at all performances 20 minutes prior to curtain with valid student ID.   Call TicketMaster.com at 212-307-4100.    Visit www.FrankensteinTheMusical.com.

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