Young Frankenstein
It's alive! The electrifying adaptation of Mel Brooks' monstrously funny film will leave you in stitches.
Show Essentials
8
Roles
+ Ensemble
12
Rated
2
Acts

Full Synopsis

Act One

In New York, Frederick Frankenstein is ashamed to be a Frankenstein, insisting his name be pronounced 'Fronkensteen' and that he is not a madman but, rather, a scientist. He then lectures his students about the greatest mind of science ("The Brain"). After learning that he has inherited his grandfather's castle in Transylvania, he is forced to resolve the issue of the property. As Elizabeth Benning, Frederick's fiancée, sees him off, it is clear that their relationship is far from physical as Elizabeth enumerates all the lustful situations that she is abstaining from ("Please Don't Touch Me").

Arriving at Transylvania Heights, Frederick meets the hunchback Igor, who is the grandson of Victor's henchman. Igor tries to convince him to continue in his grandfather's footsteps ("Together Again For The First Time"). He reveals he has already hired the services of Inga, a yodeling lab assistant with a degree in Laboratory Science from the local community college.

The three join together and hop on a wagon. During the ride to the Castle Frankenstein, the doctor becomes more familiar with Inga ("Roll In The Hay"). When they reach the castle, they meet the very mysterious Frau Blucher. Once inside the castle's main room, Frederick falls asleep reading Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm and dreams that his grandfather and ancestors tell him to build a monster ("Join The Family Business"). He is awakened by Inga, and, after some unique exploring, they find the secret entrance to his grandfather's laboratory by following the sounds of eerie violin music.

They discover the mysterious violin player to be Frau Blucher, who tells of her past of festival games with the late Victor for whom she was more than just a housekeeper ("He Vas My Boyfriend"). After reviewing his grandfather's notes, Frederick decides to carry on the experiments in the reanimation of the dead. They dig up a huge corpse with 'an enormous schwanstuker.' The villagers, meanwhile, gather at the local town hall for a meeting and are instructed to be on the lookout for grave robbers ("The Law").

Frederick sends Igor to find a brain and entrusts him with the vital organ, but the henchman drops it, surreptitiously replacing the brain with another. Upon Igor's return, Frederick carries out the experiment and brings the the creature to life ("Life, Life"), who goes on an unexpected rampage shortly after waking. The doctor is distressed to find that Igor had provided a different brain.

Inspector Kemp and the townspeople come to investigate, pretending to welcome Frederick ("Welcome To Transylvania"). Frederick and his employees, however, try everything possible to stall the villagers as Frau Blucher frees the Monster without letting Frederick know ("Transylvania Mania"). Panic ensues as the monster breaks free from the stage and tramples through the house just as the curtain falls.

Act Two

Everyone is out to search for the Monster. Even Frau Blucher tries bringing back the Monster with the music from the violin, but to no avail ("He's Loose"). The doctor, who is visibly frustrated, is approached by Inga. She attempts to encourage the doctor and instill faith in him again ("Listen To Your Heart"). Elizabeth arrives unexpectedly in Transylvania with a large entourage and finds Frederick and a naked Inga, who insist that there was no funny business taking place ("Surprise").

Elsewhere, the Monster finds a blind hermit named Harold after breaking through his house wall ("Please Send Me Someone"). After Harold accidentally pours hot soup into the Monster's lap and lights his thumb on fire, the Monster is startled into another massive rampage and leaves. Frederick locks himself into a room with the Monster and after overcoming his fears, he tells the Monster that he is a good looking fellow who is loved and will be hailed by all ("Man About Town"). He has won the Monster over.

The Monster is then presented at the Loews Transylvania Theatre, now dressed as a dapperly gentleman. He is walking on command and even dancing with some grace to Irving Berlin's "Puttin' on the Ritz." While taking his bow, the Monster becomes terrified when a couple of stage lights explode. In the chaos, Elizabeth is kidnapped by the creature and is taken to a cave and raped.

However, through her torment, she sees a different side of the Monster ("Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life"). Quickly forgiving him, she connects with the creature and discovers what she has been yearning in life ("Deep Love"). Luring the Monster back to the castle by the music of a French horn, Frederick attempts an intelligence transfer, but the Monster does not wake and to make things worse, Inspector Kemp and the angry villagers -- believing that Elizabeth has been killed by the Monster -- break into the castle and bring Frederick to the gallows. The doctor is hanged after finally accepting his family name ("Frederick's Soliloquy").

The Monster returns, not only able to speak articulately but also using his newly transferred medical skills to discover that Frederick is not dead, but merely unconscious and is able to bring him back to life. Just as the crowd is about to re-hang Frederick and the Monster, Elizabeth arrives. After a hopeful plot twist, the Monster proposes to Elizabeth ("Deep Love [Reprise]"). Then, the blind Hermit's voice is heard singing; Frau Blucher announces she has a 'blind date' with him. Igor proceeds to proclaim a false miracle, saying that his hump is gone but then quickly realizes it has just moved. Inspector Kemp and the villagers all elect the Monster as Mayor of the Town and he gladly accepts.

Suddenly, Count Dracula appears, wishing to purchase the castle on the hill, but Frederick tells him the castle is not for sale and he will be living in it and continuing the family business from now on. He then proposes marriage to Inga, which she gladly accepts. All in all, our characters are happily together and the town celebrates. It is a happy ending that is sure to bring laughter and love for all ("Finale Ultimo").

Casting
← Back to Young Frankenstein
Cast Size: Medium (11 to 20 performers)
Cast Type: Older Roles
Dance Requirements: Standard

Character Breakdown

Dr. Frederick Frankenstein

Brilliant brain surgeon, professor and grandson of mad scientist Dr. Victor Von Frankenstein.

Gender: male
Age: 25 to 35
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2
The Monster

The misunderstood creation of Dr. Frankenstein.

Gender: male
Vocal range top: Bb4
Vocal range bottom: Db2
Igor

Frederick’s faithful, bright-eyed, eager servant and friend with a hunchback.

Gender: male
Age: 25 to 35
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2
Inga

Frederick’s young assistant. Attractive and a resident of Transylvania.

Gender: female
Age: 20 to 30
Vocal range top: A5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Elizabeth Benning

Frederick's boisterous fiancé. 

Gender: female
Age: 25 to 35
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: F#3
Frau Blücher

Stern housekeeper of the Frankenstein estate and former lover of Victor Frankenstein. 

Gender: female
Age: 40 to 60
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: E3
Inspector Hans Kemp

The head of police in Transylvania. Driven by justice, with a wooden arm and leg. 

Gender: male
Age: 40 to 50
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: A2
The Hermit

A lonely, blind town hermit, hoping for a friend. 

Gender: male
Age: 30 to 60
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: Ab2
Dr. Victor Von Frankenstein

The infamous Dr. Frankenstein and Frederick's grandfather. 

Gender: male
Age: 45 to 65
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: C#2
Ziggy

The village idiot. 

Gender: male
Age: 18 to 30
Vocal range top: Eb4
Vocal range bottom: D3
Ensemble

Gravediggers, Villagers, Medical Students, Passengers, Mad Scientists 

Gender: any
Full Song List
Young Frankenstein: Overture
Young Frankenstein: The Happiest Town in Town
Young Frankenstein: The Brain
Young Frankenstein: Please Don t Touch Me
Young Frankenstein: Together Again
Young Frankenstein: Roll in the Hay
Young Frankenstein: Join the Family Business
Young Frankenstein: He Vas My Boyfriend
Young Frankenstein: Life, Life
Young Frankenstein: Welcome to Transylvania
Young Frankenstein: Transylvania Mania
Young Frankenstein: He's Loose
Young Frankenstein: Listen to Your Heart
Young Frankenstein: Surprise
Young Frankenstein: Please Send Me Someone
Young Frankenstein: Man About Town
Young Frankenstein: Puttin on the Ritz
Young Frankenstein: Deep Love
Young Frankenstein: Frederick s Soliloquy
Young Frankenstein: Finale Ultimo

Show History

Inspiration

The musical Young Frankenstein, with songs by Mel Brooks and book by Thomas Meehan, is an adaptation of Brooks film of the same name. Young Frankenstein is a 1974 parody of classic horror films, such as Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and Son of Frankenstein. Written by Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder and directed by Brooks, it became a critical favorite and box office smash. The Frankenstein films are inspired by Shelley s classic novel about an Eastern European scientist who uses dark methods to animate a monster.

Productions

Six years after the success of The Producers, Mel Brooks developed Young Frankenstein for the stage.

  After tryouts in Seattle, Washington and four weeks of previews, Young Frankenstein opened on Broadway at the Foxwoods Theatre on November 8, 2007. Directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman, it starred Roger Bart, Megan Mullally, Christopher Fitzgerald, Sutton Foster, Andrea Martin, Shuler Hensley and Fred Applegate.

Young Frankenstein, though well-received with audiences and award nominations, only ran for 29 previews and 485 performances. 

Young Frankenstein began a national tour on September 29, 2009 in Providence, RI.

Cultural Influence

  • Mel Brooks describes Young Frankenstein as his best film.

Critical Reaction

"The Broadway Musical at dizziest, glitziest and funniest! Mel Brooks and Susan Stroman pull out every stop with divine silliness and a touch of genius. Brooks's lyrics are bright and witty. The book is great. The scenery is delicious. The special effects are among the cleverest things I've ever seen on stage." -Clive Barnes, New York Post



"A high density of talent, the hardest-working supersize ensemble and the largest percentage of gags per scene. 'Puttin on the Ritz' is truly exhilarating." -Ben Brantley, The New York Times



"A surefire smash! Mel Brooks has outdone even his wildly popular The Producers and surpasses himself as a lyricist! He doesn't disappoint!  Choreographic hilarity from director/choreographer Susan Stroman! She and the designers have worked wonders! With lightning flashes, thunder crashes, fog creeps and electrical impulses zigzagging, Young Frankenstein has come to life! A Monster Hit!" -Malcolm Johnson, The Hartford Courant



"It's a Hit! This remarkable show outjokes The Producers and is much above its competitors. With eye-popping scenery, praiseworthy performances, inspired choreography and devilishly acrobatic dances, it's visually breathless - and breathtaking. It gives any horror flick's special effects a run for the money." -John Simon, Bloomberg News

Outstanding New Broadway Musical

2008 - Outer Critics Circle Award -, Nominee (Outstanding New Broadway Musical)

Connect

Billing

Requirements

Under the terms and conditions of your organisation’s Performance Agreement, the following credits must appear on all advertising (including websites) relating to the production. Credits must be reproduced faithfully in accordance with the following layout. No alterations or deletions can be permitted unless stated below.
Percentages listed indicate required type size in relation to title size.
The Mel Brooks Musical
(75%)
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN 
(100%)
Book by
MEL BROOKS and THOMAS MEEHAN

(50%)

Music and Lyrics by
MEL BROOKS

(50%)

Original Direction & Choreography by
Susan Stroman
(50%)
 
In addition, if Producer elects to recreate the original direction and choreography of the Play, Producer shall accord the following billing credit to the person(s) engaged to recreate it, on a line below to the credit to Susan Stroman and in a size of type no larger than 75% of the size of the credit for Susan Stroman as follows:
"Original Direction and Choreography recreated by [name(s)]"
 
Producer agrees to place the following credit on the title page of all programs for the Play as follows:
"Puttin' on the Ritz" by Irving Berlin
 
In addition, Producer agrees to place the following credits in all programs for the Play as follows (need not be on title page):
"Puttin' On The Ritz"
Words and music by Irving Berlin© 1928,1929 by Irving Berlin (ASCAP)© Renewed
The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

Included Materials

ItemQuantity Included
CHOREOGRAPHY & DIRECTION MANUAL1
LIBRETTO/VOCAL BOOK28
PIANO CONDUCTOR'S SCORE ACT 12
PIANO CONDUCTOR'S SCORE ACT 22

Production Resources

Resource
FULL SCORE VOL. 1 OF 4
FULL SCORE VOL. 2 OF 4
FULL SCORE VOL. 3 OF 4
FULL SCORE VOL. 4 OF 4
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON-10/CS
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON?
KEYBOARD PATCH SOLUTIONS
KEYBOARDTEK
LOGO PACK
LOGO PACK DIGITAL
PERFORMANCE ACCOMPANIMENT RECORDING
PRODUCTIONPRO-DIGITAL SCRIPT/SCORE
REFERENCE RECORDING
REHEARSAL ACCOMPANIMENT RECORDING
SCENE PARTNER
SCENIC PROJECTIONS
SCENIC PROJECTIONS PRO
SCENIC PROJECTIONS-ANIMATED
SCENIC PROJECTIONS-STILL
STAGE WRITE APPLICATION
TRANSPOSITIONS-ON-DEMAND
VIRTUAL STAGE MANAGER

STANDARD ORCHESTRATION

InstrumentationDoubling
BASSACOUSTIC BASS
DRUMS
HORN
KEYBOARD 1
KEYBOARD 2
PERCUSSION
REED 1ALTO FLUTE , ALTO SAXOPHONE , CLARINET , FLUTE , PICCOLO
REED 2CLARINET , ENGLISH HORN , OBOE , SOPRANO SAXOPHONE , TENOR SAXOPHONE
REED 3BARITONE SAXOPHONE , BASS CLARINET , BASSOON (OPTIONAL) , CLARINET , FLUTE
TROMBONE
TRUMPET
TRUMPET 2
VIOLIN(1 PLAYER REQUIRED)