ACT Theatre opens monster comedy ‘YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN’

“Young Frankenstein,” the hilarious Mel Brooks musical, will come to life in six productions at the Artistic Civic Theatre Playhouse in Dalton, Georgia, beginning Friday, July 27.

Frederick Frankenstein (portrayed by Carl Reiter) is the Dean of Anatomy at New York’s John, Miriam and Anthony Hopkins School of Medicine. He is the grandson of infamous mad scientist Dr. Victor von Frankenstein, although he has tried to separate himself from the family name —pronouncing his last name “Fronkensteen,” not Frankenstein.

After learning of his grandfather’s death, Frederick travels to Transylvania to settle his grandfather’s estate, leaving his fiancée, Elizabeth Benning (Emeline Phinney) behind in New York.

Upon arriving in Transylvania, Frederick meets the grandson of Victor’s henchman, Igor ( Kirt Johnson), who has already hired a yodeling lab assistant, Inga ( Taylor Nix), to help Frederick resume his grandfather’s work.

Resistant at first, Frederick is encouraged in a dream sequence to continue his grandfather’s work, played out in the musical number “Join the Family Business.”

With help from Igor, Inga and his grandfather’s housekeeper/ girlfriend, Frae Blücher (Jessica Brinkley), Frederick creates his very own monster. Eventually, of course, the monster (Chris Blessing) escapes and hilarity ensues as the monster meets a lonely Her- mit (Wes Phinney), is chased by an angry mob led by Inspector Kemp (Lane Haley) and finds love.

“‘Young Frankenstein’ is unlike anything you’ve seen at ACT,” says director Jennifer Phinney. “It is for mature audiences only. Or should we say, ‘immature audiences’ since the humor is juvenile, just like the movie, but with a theatrical twist.”

The ensemble of “Young Frankenstein” includes Chrissie Baker, Joe Ballew, Tanner Blacton, Carol Burchfield, Tonya Chase, Cole Cooper, Jan Corbin, Jeri Dunn, Haley Harless, Sabino Herrera, Jessica Jaconetti, Jim Jaconetti, Katie Beth Jewell, Will Martin, Raymundo Moncayo, Pearl Parrott, David Pasqua, Keenan Pasqua, Bo Southerland, Russ Southerland, Adam Stark, Josiah West and Taylor Witherow.

Musical direction is by Adam Burnette, and choreography by Kate Phinney,

Tickets may be purchased on the theater’s website, ACTDalton. org, by clicking “Book Now” on ACT’s Facebook page or by calling the box office at 706-278-4796.

ACT CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Kirt Johnson, left, plays Igor and Carl Reiter is Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, grandson of the infamous scientist Dr. Victor von Frankenstein, in “Young Frankenstein.”