Chenoweth, Etc. Set for Young Frankenstein Workshop

A starry cast will headline an upcoming workshop of Young Frankenstein, Mel Brooks' new musical version of his beloved horror spoof.

According to The New York Post's Michael Riedel, Susan Stroman--who previously won a Tony for staging Brooks' The Producers--will direct the workshop, which will be performed in October for prospective backers.  The workshop will star Tony Award-winner Kristin Chenoweth (Wicked, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown) as Inga, Tony Award-winner Shuler Hensley (Tarzan, Oklahoma!) as Frankenstein's Monster and Tony Award-nominee Marc Kudisch (See What I Wanna See, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) as the Police Inspector.  Chenoweth is also reported to be the musical's likely star if it makes it to Broadway.  A performer to play Dr. Frankenstein has not yet been selected for the workshop. According to Riedel, "Sources say Brooks is trying to entice Cloris Leachman to re-create the role of Frau Blucher, which she played in the 1974 movie."

Tony Award-winners Brooks and Thomas Meehan--who previously collaborated on The Producers--recently showed Stroman the first draft of the new musical.

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.

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