Young Frankenstein to Open on Broadway in Fall '07

The New York Post's Michael Riedel writes that Young Frankenstein will be lurching toward Broadway next year.

The new Mel Brooks musical, which was recently seen in an enthusiastically-received industry reading, will play an out-of-town tryout this summer before opening on Broadway on Halloween of 2007.  While no theatre has been announced, Riedel (who states that current tenant The Producers is expected to close in the spring) names the St. James as a strong possibility.

He also writes, "Stroman and Brooks hope to keep the cast for the reading together for the Broadway production."  The reading starred Tony Award-winner Kristin Chenoweth (The Apple Tree, Wicked) as Elizabeth, Brian D'Arcy James (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Sweet Smell of Success) as Dr. Frankenstein, Marc Kudisch (The Apple Tree, See What I Wanna See) as as The Police Inspector, Tony Award-winner Shuler Hensley (Tarzan, Oklahoma!) as Frankenstein's Monster, Tony Award-winner Sutton Foster (The Drowsy Chaperone) as Inga, Roger Bart (The Producers) as Igor, and Cloris Leachman (reprising her film role) as Frau Blucher.

The columnist previously wrote that the musical "tracks the movie pretty closely. The Irving Berlin estate has given Brooks the rights to 'Puttin' on the Ritz,'...Brooks and (Thomas) Meehan have beefed up the relationship between Dr. Frankenstein and the Monster, and they've written several parodies of scenes from the classic Boris Karloff film."

Young Frankenstein, inspired by the famed Mary Shelley novel, concerns the skeptical neurosurgeon grandson of Dr. Victor Frankenstein, who returns to Frankenstein's castle to find that the legendary monster was more than just a myth.  The comedy, which was directed by Brooks with a screenplay by Brooks and Gene Wilder, starred Wilder, Peter Boyle, Madeline Kahn, Marty Feldman, Leachman, Teri Garr, Kenneth Mars and more.

Related Links YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN Bids Broadway Goodbye January 4, 2009 Young Frankenstein will close on Broadway on Janury 4, 2009. The announcement was made by Producer Robert F.X. Sillerman. The show opened in November 2007 at the Hilton Theatre. YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN to Close January 4, 2009 The New York Times reports that Young Frankenstein will close on Broadway on Janury 4, 2009. The announcement was made by Producer Robert F.X. Sillerman. The show opened in November 2007 at the Hilton Theatre. Cory English is YOUNG FRANK's New 'Igor' Starting 11/25 Cory English begins as the new Igor in Mel Brooks' award-winning Young Frankenstein this Tuesday, November 25th, at Broadway's Hilton Theatre (213 W 42nd St), joining current cast members Roger Bart, Shuler Hensley, Beth Leavel, Fred Applegate, Michele Ragusa, and Kelly Sullivan. Young Frankenstein's original Igor, Christopher Fitzgerald - Tony nominated for his performance - completes his run Sunday, November, 23rd. Brooks Offers Black 'YOUNG FRANK' Role? Today's Page Six in the Sunday New York Post reports that Mel Brooks asked "Tropic Thunder" star Jack Black to join the Broadway cast of his "Young Frankenstein," when the comic actor asked which role - Igor or Dr. Frankenstein? Brooks said "either one," but Black politely declined according to the Page Six columnist. Purchase Tickets Click Here to Purchase Tickets to Young Frankenstein On BWW.TV

Past Articles by This Author: Photo Flash: The Active Theater Company's TWO ROOMS Photo Flash: Melinda Doolittle Debuts at FEINSTEIN'S SHOW BIZ: Rush, Lottery & Standing Room Only Ticketing Policies - November 20, 2009 GLORY DAYS Celebrates Album with Second Release Party at Signature, 11/30 Photo Flash: Trustus & Front End Audio Presents RENT Phil Kline's UNSILENT NIGHT Hits The Streets In Dozens Of Cities Around The World in December Mesa Arts Center Announces 24-Hour Black Friday Sale Jane Carr Joins The Cast of MARY POPPINS In LA Beginning 11/20 Philadelphia Theatre Company Extends THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA Through 12/13 Philadelphia Theatre Company Extends LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA Thru 12/13 The Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University Presents HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES Photo Flash: Alley Theatre's A CHRISTMAS CAROL JUNIOR CLAUS Plays at Burnsville PAC 12/10-27 ABC and SOAPNet's 'Salute Broadway Cares' to Benefit BC/EFA, 3/21 BROADWAY CELEBRATES dre.dance 12/14 Annex Theatre's Next Spin The Bottle Set For 12/4 Horse Trade Presents THE 2009 BURLESQUE BLITZ 12/26-30 Burning Coal Theatre Company's Lobby Lecture Continues Renaissance Theaterworks Presents BLACKBIRD And LOVE'S FIRE 1/15-2/7/2010 ENTER LAUGHING is Broadway Bound, 2010-2011 Season Chinook Book and Portland Arts Coalition Partner to Offer Exclusive Deals On Local Theatre, Music and Dance Melba Moore Leads White Plains WE ARE LIGHTS Holiday Concert; 12/11 to 12/13 RENT Offers Auction Items Benefiting BC/EFA Yosi and the Super Dads Perform Rockin' Hanukkah Concert at McLean's Alden Theatre Sankofa Theater Presents Live Music Performances 11/21 More Articles by This Author...