Review: Young Frankenstein (2/27/08)

[I Live on Avenue Q2]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 10:49pm

So today, I saw a matinee performance of Young Frankenstein. I wasn't really sure what to expect because of the mixed feelings I've read about it, but I was shocked.

I absolutely loved the show. The cast was supered. Megan was fantastic, Sutton was great, honestly everyone performed flawlessly. The sets were mindblowingly good. I couldn't believe this show wasn't getting amazing reviews. It's just so good. I can see where people say the music isn't the most memorable, but it's still good. In fact, I thought there were quite a few good songs in the show. Overall, I would completely recommand this show to anyone who wants to have a good laugh, a great time at the theatre and see a wonderful and extremeley talented cast.

On another note, I waited by the stage door to meet whoever was coming out (I was hoping for megan), but nobody came out I wasn't sure if that was because it was a matinee or if it was because Mel Brooks was signing stuff in the lobby for today only. Well, I waited at the stage door for like 35 minutes and nothing. I was upset. But you win some, you lose some, i suppose

[justafan2]

Posted: 2/28/08 at 7:31am

I was at the same performance (I've seen it once before) and I agree----it was wonderful today, the energy was way up---maybe because Mel Brooks was in attendance? But the performances were just great. I loved it.

[StageFan2]

Posted: 2/28/08 at 7:59am

Thanks for the review - Q.

Always good to put out money on a show and not feel like it was a waste afterwards. Sorry to hear about the bad stage door experience. I've never been to a show when nobody came to the stage door afterwards. Maybe they were in the lobby with Brooks.

There's obviously a fair amount of people who are enjoying the show, I, unfortunately, am not one of those people. I thought it one of the most boring shows I've ever had to sit through in spite of having - what I would consider - a top-notch cast. The only thing that kept me from catching a quick 40 was Roger Bart's incessent screaming of his lines. I don't know how his vocal cords tolerate such abuse night after night. Of course, Megan Mullady screaming "TITS!" at the top of her ample lungs was an eye-opener as well.

The movie is one of my favorites (Madeline Kahn, Marty Feldman, and Peter Boyle we miss you ), so maybe that's a problem for me, or maybe I just expected to much.

But I'm glad you enjoyed it anyway.

[HBBrock]

Posted: 2/28/08 at 9:15am

I agree with your review...this show is so much fun. I listen to the OBCR in my car all the time and there are actually a lot of great songs on it.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 2/28/08 at 9:25am

The reason most people seem not to like it is because it is basically a carbon copy of the movie, from what I've heard. So if you seen the movie, you are basically paying to see it played out onstage mixed with, according to some, unmemorable songs. I haven't seen the movie yet (but plan on getting it at the library soon) which is why I think I enjoyed it more than other people on this board. Regarding the songs, I don't think they are as unmemorable as people say; however, there are some that are boring and I didn't care for.

Glad you had fun at the show. I agree with you about the sets and cast - amazing. I also dropped $120 on the show around Christmas. Had I paid premium prices, my expectations would've been much higher and I don't think I would've liked it as much.

[justafan2]

Posted: 2/28/08 at 9:40am

I agree that it's close to the movie----but it added some elements and deleted some (obviously with music added, time is a factor). I didn't particularly find any of the music memorable the first time I saw it, but after seeing it again last night---I'm having trouble getting some of the songs out of my head and I'll probably get the CD now. I thought (some) of the numbers were really enjoyable. (especially "deep love").
I sat closer to the stage last night and loved Megan's facial expressions during "deep love"----which I wasn't able to see when I sat further back.

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 2/28/08 at 10:00am

Thanks for your review! Sounds like you had a great time!