THEATRE REVIEW: "Young Frankenstein" at the Cadillac Palace Theatre (Chicago, IL)

      In  November of 2009, my dad and I saw the Mel Brooks / Thomas Meehan musical "Young Frankenstein: at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago, IL.  This National Tour, along with the short-lived Broadway Production, were directed by Susan Stroman.  She also directed the World Premiere Production of "The Producers" at the Cadillac Palace, in February of 2001, as well as the Tony Award winning Broadway production.  Unfortunately, no musical she has directed since has matched the success of "The Producers."






     My dad got us tickets in the front row for this show.  This worked out great because of all the leg room.  There was kind of a walkway between us and the orchestra pit.  Also,  before the show started, the conductor popped up and struck up a conversation with the people slightly down the row from my dad and I.  The production featured Roger Bart as Dr. Frankenstein and Shuler Hensley as the monster, both of whom were original cast members in the Broadway Production.   I remember looking through the playbill, either during intermission or after the show, and noticing that a lot of the ensemble members had been in the musical "42nd Street."  This was not surprising because, in "Young Frankenstein," the "Puttin' on the Ritz" musical number was extended into a lengthy song and tap dance number.







     The scenic design for the National Tour of "Young Frankenstein," as well as for the Broadway Production, was designed by Robin Wagner.  I did not see the Broadway Production, so I don't know where the differences in the scenery of the National Tour lied.  My favorite scene of the musical was during the song "Life  Life."  This is not because it is a particularly good song, but rather because of the spectacle and  dramatic effect during the song.  It's just a shame Robin Wagner's scenic design didn't win a Tony Award for the Broadway Production.




A scene from "Young Frankenstein" (photo by Paul Kolnik)


     Prior to seeing "Young Frankenstein" on stage, I found out my aunt and uncle had also seen the show.  So, after seeing 👀 the show, I called my aunt and left a manic voicemail telling her about my favorite parts of the musical.  I think the voicemail was accompanied by some of my shrill laughter.  Later on I found out that it wasn't "Young Frankenstein" that was the hottest ticket in town, but rather the World Premiere of "The Addams Family."  Luckilly, I would be seeing that show with my family within a couple months of seeing "Young Frankenstein,"  which I actually liked better than the "Addams Family" musical.  Weird, huh?





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