“Young Frankenstein” at Plays in the Park in Edison – A Review
Last night I went to the opening of Young Frankenstein, the first production and opening night for Plays in the Park in Edison.
I go to at least one show every year at Plays in the Park. They put on a Broadway caliber performance featuring local talent that’s very, very talented. It is one of my favorite Summer traditions and I highly recommend checking it out.
The first show of the season was Young Frankenstein, a musical based on the Mel Brook’s movie Young Frankenstein. I was lucky enough to see the original show on Broadway. The show is based around Frederick Frankenstein, the grandson of Victor Von Frankenstein who visits his grandfather’s estate after he has passed away. Despite having not wanting anything to do with his family’s legacy for making monsters, Frederick finds himself making his own with the help of his assistant Igor (pronounced Eye-Gor) and his lab assistant Inga.
One of the things that should be noted in this play is the set design. It combines a very well crafted stage with a small projected movie screen to fill IN for transitions and locations in the show. It was very creative! It really worked well with the show, they even used it for a dream sequence using footage from the original “Frankenstein movie”.
All the actors in the show really bring it to life. Michael Louis who played Frederick was a lot of fun to watch on stage. And he can sing! Billy Geltzeiler, who played Igor, was fantastically funny and really stood out. I remember him last year in “Shrek” playing Pinnochio…he definitely has comedy chops. Both Ali Gleason, who played Elizabeth, and KelliAnn DeCarlo who played Inga had really strong singing voices and were very funny. Basically it was an overall really talented cast including Katie Riley who played Frau Blucher and Scott Daniels who played the Monster. I’m hoping to see them all in future PIP performances.
My favorite part of the show was “Putting on the Ritz”, which is also my favorite scene from the Mel Brook’s movie. So much fun.
The choreography, the costumes, props and the overall production value is something I always look forward to in Plays in the Park and they never disappoint. I also look forward to Gary P. Cohen who is the director and producer introduce the show. He puts his blood, sweat and tears in the productions and it shows. He seems to always have an injury…
Get a lawn chair and bring your butt over to Plays in the Park this Summer. It’s super affordable and it’s a great experience! Young Frankenstein will be there until June 27th (no show on Sundays).
PS. Their concessions are very affordable and delicious as well. Support local theater!
Additional Information:
Address: Roosevelt Park; 1 Pine Drive, Edison, NJ
Phone #: 732-548-2884
Cost: $7, $5 for 60 and over, 12 and under are free. CASH ONLY
Website, Like them on Facebook
This Summer’s Performances:
Young Frankenstein – Wednesday, June 17 through Saturday, June 27 (No Sundays)
Oklahoma – Wednesday, July 8 through Saturday, July 18 (No Sundays)
Jesus Christ Superstar – Wednesday, July 29 through Saturday, August 8 (No Sundays)
About Plays in the Park:
Middlesex County’s Plays-in-the-Park is a unique partnership that represents better than 53 years of unparalleled government initiative, artistic excellence and community spirit. Fifty two years ago, a small group of devoted community theater volunteers enthusiastically sought a place to produce plays during the summer months. They contacted the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders in the hopes of finding financial support for their endeavors.
Although funds did not exist for the construction of a new theater building, there was money budgeted for a storage shed. A creative compromise was reached, allowing the shed to be used as a theater in the summer and for storage in the winter. A tree-lined grove in Roosevelt Park was chosen as the site and Plays-in-the-Park officially opened in 1963. Popularity grew, and eventually the shed became a permanent home with the addition of a scenic shop and dressing rooms. Attendance soared and by the mid-1970’s more than 150,000 people came to the free theater each year, making Plays-in-the-Park an important part of summer in Middlesex County.
Plays-in-the-Park has been cited for the excellence of its theatrical productions, making it the pre-eminent Community Theater in Middlesex County. The lighting, scenic and costume designs of each show are generally based on the Broadway originals or National Touring Companies, adapted and recreated by working professionals.
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