Photo Flash: It's Alive! FRANKENSTEIN - THE MUSICAL Rises at Players Theatre

As the chill in the air seeps into our summer-warmed hearts, and long days surrender to long shadows, a gothic horror story holds a growing appeal. Be Bold! Productions' Frankenstein - The Musical, began previews Off-Broadway on September 29th, officially opening on October 7th and runs through November 12th at the Players Theatre in Greenwich Village. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The production, with music by Michael Sgouros and book/lyrics by Brenda Bell, remains faithful to Mary Shelley's original 1818 novel. The creative team of Courtney Hansen(costumes), Elizabeth Chaney (sets), and Ali Hall (lighting) have honored this bastion of gothic romance and early science fiction with a Steampunk twist. Bringing a monster to life is no easy task, but with the artistry of Max Darwin (illusion consultant) and Susan Rosello (FX/makeup), Frankenstein offers us a glimpse of the uncanny. Bekah Shade's otherworldly choreography rounds out a production for all seasons. Mary Shelley, whose mother was a vocal advocate for women's rights, would appreciate the majority-female creative team!

The story of this musical focuses on Victor Frankenstein (Eric Fletcher), who we meet in the final days of his life. Rescued from the Arctic by a ship, we find Victor on the verge of total madness, and the show that follows is his hallucination: distorted memories that transcend reality, scenes of an obsessive life that led him down the path to destruction.

The brooding yet electrifying score of Michael Sgouros, written for a percussion-based chamber ensemble, takes the audience along on this hypnotic voyage of the damned. Live percussion and cello makes up the pit, featuring unusual and appropriately horrifying sounds, elegantly played by percussionists Sean Statser, Frank Tyl, Emily Sgouros, and Michael Sgouros, along with Eric Allen's soulful cello. The cast also includes Zachary Tallman (the Monster), Isabel Kruse (Elizabeth), Lindsey Ortmeyer (Justine), and Richard Lisenby (Henry). An ensemble of Victor's demented memories is skillfully portrayed by ensemble members Melissa Gonzalez, Joe Hornberger, Jack Flatley, Erica Lorenzetti, Popra Nakayama, Christopher Milligan, and Jenny Henkel.

Frankenstein - The Musical officially opens on October 7th and runs through November 12th at the Players Theatre located at 115 MacDougal Street (between Bleecker and West 3rd). Click here for tickets, and visit www.MonsterOffBroadway.com for more about the show.

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