{"id":240521,"date":"2018-10-05T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-10-05T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sdnews.com\/young-frankenstein\/"},"modified":"2018-10-05T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2018-10-05T07:00:00","slug":"young-frankenstein","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/young-frankenstein\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cEl joven Frankenstein\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

Por Jean Lowerison | Revisi\u00f3n de teatro\u00a0<\/p>\n

A musical version not to miss<\/strong><\/p>\n

For my money, there\u2019s no better comedy than anything by that crazy Mel Brooks, who gave us (among other things) \u201cThe Producers\u201d and the later \u201cYoung Frankenstein.\u201d<\/p>\n

San Diego Musical Theatre (SDMT), which seldom disappoints, has pulled out all the stops for its musical version of \u201cYoung Frankenstein\u201d and it\u2019s a winner with a capital W. It plays through Oct. 28 at the Horton Grand Theatre Downtown.<\/p>\n

\"\u201cYoung
Dr. Frankenstein creates the monster (Courtesy Horton Grand Theater)\u00a0<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This version stars Kevin Hafso Koppman as Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced \u201cFronkensteen\u201d to distinguish him from his grandfather, Dr. Victor von Frankenstein, who created life \u2013 and a monster \u2013 in a medical experiment gone wrong). Frederick is dean of anatomy at the \u201cJohns, Miriam and Anthony Hopkins School of Medicine.\u201d<\/p>\n

When word comes that Grandpa is dead, the villagers rejoice \u2013 until informed that the Frankenstein name lives on in Frederick, who must be notified.<\/p>\n

Frederick isn\u2019t exactly thrilled at this news either but is told he must go to Transylvania Heights or forfeit the family estate. He says a teary farewell to his hoity-toity \u201cdon\u2019t-touch-me\u201d girlfriend Elizabeth (Melina Kalomas, tall and gorgeous, with a huge, lovely voice) and goes off to the Transylvania station.<\/p>\n

\"\u201cYoung
(l to r) Dr. Frankenstein (Kevin Hafso Koppman), his girlfriend Elizabeth (Melina Kalomas) and Igor (Jonathon Sangster)\u00a0(Courtesy Horton Grand Theater)\u00a0<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

That\u2019s how it starts. The usual crazy things are here, including frowning housekeeper Frau Bl\u00fccher\u2019s effect on horses (they neigh whenever her name is mentioned, but look around whenever Elizabeth is near), and Elizabeth\u2019s \u201cPlease Don\u2019t Touch Me\u201d number, which dissolves into a new dance craze.<\/p>\n

SDMT amplifies the looniness with things like a monster puppet almost the height of the stage and some crazy, impossible-looking tap dancing by the \u201creal\u201d Monster (Donny Gersonde), tall enough without what look to be 5-inch platform shoes. Credit Daniel Smith for the terrific choreography.<\/p>\n

\"\u201cYoung
Frankenstein (Donny Gersonde) is alive\u00a0(Courtesy Horton Grand Theater)\u00a0<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Larry Raben directs a top-notch cast without a single weak link. Hafso Koppman pays Frederick with dread which turns to fresh-faced enthusiasm after he reads Grandpa\u2019s papers and concludes that \u201cthis could work.\u201d This sets us up for the monster story we\u2019re all familiar with.<\/p>\n

The rented sets look great. Michelle Miles handles lighting well, and Kevin Anthenill\u2019s sound design surprises at all the right times.<\/p>\n

Janet Pitcher\u2019s costumes contribute atmosphere, as do Peter Herman\u2019s hair and wig designs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Don Le Master conducts the fine 14-member orchestra, and everybody including the audience leaves \u2013 almost reluctantly \u2013 after a terrific time in the theater.<\/p>\n

The 2008 musical \u201cYoung Frankenstein\u201d was snubbed by the Tony\u2019s (it was the year of \u201cIn the Heights\u201d and the \u201cSouth Pacific\u201d revival), but this version is one to treasure. Don\u2019t miss it.<\/p>\n

\u2014Jean Lowerison es miembro desde hace mucho tiempo del C\u00edrculo de Cr\u00edticos de Teatro de San Diego y puede ser contactada en <\/em>infodame@cox.net<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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