Production trumps content over and over again in the Orpheus Musical Theatre Society production of Young Frankenstein, the crude parody of the horror genre and the 19^th century novel by Mary Shelley.

As quoted in the Orpheus program, Mel Brooks, the primary creator of the script, music and lyrics, says, “Good taste is the enemy of comedy.” His kind of comedy, perhaps, but amusement does not have to be drawn from bathroom humour and gags that take so long to set up that there is time to be bored or disgusted before they are milked dry. Brooks may have demonstrated his talent to amuse more effectively in The Producers — though even here he frequently teetered on the brink of bad taste and periodically toppled over — but Young Frankenstein does not hold a candle to the earlier show. It just makes me long for the wit of Noel Coward over the lumbering attempt at making a monster out of this molehill of silly smut.

However, distasteful as the material is, presumably Orpheus chose to present the 2007 musical in an attempt to attract new audience members. If that was achieved, it should also be noted that there were several walkouts at intermission on opening night.

However, there was some good news about the show, crisply directed by Jenn Donnelly, with precise musical direction by Marlene Hudson. The technical aspects of set, lighting and sound are highly effective. Most of the performances and much of the singing is top notch, though it is sad that, with one or two exceptions, even the musical numbers tend to blend into a forgettable mush.

In the title role of the grandson to the original Dr. Victor Frankenstein, Michael McSheffrey is lively and at ease, while often playing the straight man to his sidekick Igor. As Igor, Graeme Parke offers a show-stealing Monty-Pythonesque take on his character. He hits exactly the right note to develop real humour in the situation, despite the problematic script.

Young Frankenstein continues at Centrepointe Theatre to March 15, 2015.

 

Young Frankenstein

Book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan

Music and lyrics by Mel Brooks

Orpheus Musical Theatre Society

Director: Jenn Donnelly

Musical Director: Marlene Hudson

Choreographers: Linda Fournier-Brown, France Bastien

Technical Director: Kevin Gehrels

Set: Tony Walker

Sound:  John Cybanski

Lighting: Chris Amott

Costumes: Cynthia Sanoy

 

Cast:

Frederick………………………………….Michael McSheffrey

Igor………………………………………..Graeme Parke

Elizabeth…………………………………..Andrea Black

Inga………………………………………..Emma Sangal

Frau Blücher………………………………Roxane Delisle

The Monster……………………………….Delaney Hinds

Inspector Kemp/Hermit……………………Sam Smith

Ziggy/Viktor et al………………………….Jim Tanner

Herr Falkstein………………………………Rick Burk

Lawrence/Dr. Acula………………………..Adam Lantos

Ensemble: Tanya Chin, Matt Chin*, Bebe Brunjes, Caitlin Elmslie, Hannah Grant, Bryan Jesmer, Jasmine Lee*, Brennan Richardson, Jeremy Sanders, Erika Séguin, Katie Shapiro, Steve Vesely

*dance captains

Orchestra:

Wendy Berkelaar, Brian Boggs, Nick Cochrane, Nick Dyson, Keith Estabrooks, Pierre Huneault, Drum Hudson, Paul Legault, Tom McMahon, Mike Mullin, Sophia Pan, Mark Rehder, Dave Renaud