Brooks Sees 'Young Frankenstein' as a Monster Hit on Broadway - Chicago Sun-Times

[Rob]

Posted: 7/1/03 at 8:55am

http://www.suntimes.com/output/entertainment/cst-ftr-brooks01.html

"Two-thirds of the book and six songs have been completed. After the runaway success of "The Producers," based on what many felt was a cult movie, a Broadway-bound version of the goofier and more popular "Young Frankenstein" seems a surefire hit."

This sounds promising...

[Bwaybaby109]

Posted: 7/1/03 at 11:10am

Ooh! I can't wait for this one to come out! It's one of my fav Mel Brooks movies! I hope its as good as the Producers! It'll be hard to top it, but ya never know!!

[BudFrump23]

Posted: 7/1/03 at 12:00pm

"He would have an enormous schvanshtooker."
"Well, that goes without saying..."


This will be an enormous hit, I hope!

Well, that goes without saying...

[TEACHEROFTHEATER]

Posted: 7/1/03 at 2:17pm

what a joy if the musical version of Young Frankenstein could feature the film's Frau Blucher,( Blooker?sp?) Cloris Leachman.

she worked with mel brooks many times and recently did the tour of SHOWBOAT......hope La Leachman is included:)

[Craig]

Posted: 7/1/03 at 2:19pm

Actually.. I think JUDY KAYE would be hysterical as the Frau. She sings on an upcoming CD produced by Bruce Kimmel. It's a song from a horror movie and Judy kicks (pardon the expression) VOCAL ASS doing a german styled song.

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 7/1/03 at 2:38pm

the casting I could see for this one would be Broderick again in the Gene Wilder role. I know for PRODUCERS he played the "straight man" aspect of the Wilder persona, but I've always thought Broderick had that wild streak in him (it's what fueled FERRIS BUELLER). And Broderick is used to doing multiple shows with the same creative team...all those Neil Simon autobiographicals. Thoughts?

Posted: 7/1/03 at 2:53pm

How about this cast:

Nathan Lane as Igor
Mathew Broderick as Frankenstein
Harvey Fierstein as the Monster
Michelle Pawk in the Madeline Kahn role
Sarah Jessica Parker in the Terry Garr role
Lynne Redgrave as Frau Blucher (NIEGHHHH!)

It would be so sweet to see Mathew and Harvey together again!

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 7/1/03 at 2:57pm

I actually think of all those suggestions, Mrs. Broderick is a really good one.

[Deannaizme]

Posted: 7/1/03 at 3:03pm

The Teri Garr role reminds me of one of those lines ...

::bang:: ::bang::

Dr F: What knockers!
TG: Oh, why thank you, Doctor!

Makes me laugh every time.

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 7/1/03 at 3:07pm

"roll, roll, roll in zee hay"

I do think the rest of that dream casting is sweet and fun, but not practical exactly. It would be fun (and maybe practical) for Garr herself to appear as Buchner, though Leachman could still do it. My choice for Kahn's role would be Christine Baranski.
For the Monster it would be Bill Irwin, but I'm not sure his temperament would mesh with Brooks.

Posted: 7/1/03 at 3:17pm

I did not mean to imply that this casting was practical. Heaven knows how much each of these people would cost! It is a DREAM cast. And we can dream, can't we? "Ah, sweet mystery of life..."

I forgot to mention the Lynn Redgrave connection. She has nearly played this role already in the film GODS AND MONSTERS as the housekeeper of James Whale who directed the original FRANKENSTEIN with Karloff.

[Phantom05]

Posted: 7/1/03 at 3:39pm

Oh My Gosh, I cannot wait for "Young Frankenstein to open!!! I think that Max Von Essen should play Frederick Frankenstein, it just seems like he would work for that part!!! Anyways, I think that Alyssa Claar would be awesome in Terry Garr's part, and I think the idea of Nathan Lane as Igor would be HILARIOUS!!!

See Ya!!!

Phantom05

[ErikJ972]

Posted: 7/1/03 at 4:12pm

It's a shame that Madeline Kahn won't be able to recreate her role for the stage. I LOVE her in that movie and it would be great to see her do it on Broadway. I guess I'll have to be satisfied with my DVD.

[cabarethed]

Posted: 7/1/03 at 4:30pm

This is one of my all time favorite movies, so I'm actually rather nervous about how the musical will turn out. Considering how much I adore The Producers, I really should put more faith into Mel Brooks. I just hope he doesn't become cocky and think that anything he makes will turn into gold. Basically, I don't care how long this takes, I just want a wonderful show! I remember an interview where Brooks said how Roger Bart would be his perfect Igor. Well honestly, after seeing the climax of Raul Esparza's performance in Comedians, I think HE would be a great Igor, hehe.

[BudFrump23]

Posted: 7/1/03 at 5:44pm

Well I am deffinately going to "walk this way" (clunk, clunk) to see this show! It would be cool if all the sets, costumes, make-up, and lights were made to make the show black & white, like the movie...it'd be interesting.

Updated On: 7/1/03 at 05:44 PM

[lass]

Posted: 7/1/03 at 6:01pm

I agree that the movie "Young Frankenstein" is wonderful as is. I think this is an example in which the stage version could ruin a good thing. Normally the reverse is true.

And I'm over Matthew Broderick. He performed in the TV version of MUSIC MAN as if he were on quaaludes.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/1/03 at 6:10pm

My biggest fear is that it turns into a rehash of PRODUCERS material -- you know what I mean -- the "we found a formula that works and so we will duplicate the formulawith everything we do now" sydrome.

[lensman]

Posted: 7/2/03 at 10:31am

>Oh My Gosh, I cannot wait for "Young Frankenstein to open!!! I >think that Max Von Essen should play Frederick Frankenstein, it >just seems like he would work for that part!!! Anyways, I think >that Alyssa Claar would be awesome in Terry Garr's part, and I >think the idea of Nathan Lane as Igor would be HILARIOUS!!!

What? You wouldn't think of Mandy for the Teri Garr role?
(Maybe Michael would do Inspector Kemp!)

[lensman]

Posted: 7/2/03 at 10:38am

>Considering how much I adore The Producers, I really should put >more faith into Mel Brooks. I just hope he doesn't become cocky >and think that anything he makes will turn into gold.

Yes, let's all remember "Dracula-Dead and Loving It"