The Provincetown Theater to present FRANKENSTEIN, OR THE MODERN PROMETHEUS

The Provincetown Theater is known for its contemporary and often experimental takes on theater classics. Artistic Director Tristan DiVincenzo and Stage Director James P. Byrne, inspired by Mary Shelley's classic novel, have collaborated on a world premiere adaptation that will draw heavily upon scholarly research and their own backgrounds in dance and movement for stage.

According to DiVincenzo, "We will be utilizing Shelley's original 1818 manuscript, biographical and archival materials, along with interviews from prominent literary and artistic figures. We have "stitched" together a dynamic performance piece from one of the most influential novelists of the 19th century."

The Frankenstein monster has been portrayed in over 100 films and has influenced hundreds of books, graphic novels, and television shows.

No one can conceive the variety of feelings which bore me onwards, like a hurricane, in the first enthusiasm of success. Life and death appeared to me ideal bounds, which I should first break through, and pour a torrent of light into our dark world. - Spoken by Dr. Victor Frankenstein

Shelley used bold themes in her story of the familiar monster, with the Prometheus fable and its central idea of knowledge as forbidden fire. Just as Prometheus stole fire from Mount Olympus to share with humankind, so does Dr. Frankenstein attempt to breathe life into the dead, stealing fire from the night sky in the form of "a spark of life". The theme of knowledge transfer creates strong metaphors and actions throughout the novel, whether the knowledge is of love, hatred, false pride, estrangement or sorrow.

"The Provincetown Theater is proud to explore this remarkable pioneering artist and social theorist and the spectacular text she penned two hundred years ago, at the age of 19," adds DiVincenzo.

"Frankenstein" opens on October 5 and runs through the 28th with performances on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30 pm, Sunday matinees at 2 pm.

All performances take place at Provincetown Theater, 238 Bradford Street, Provincetown, MA. Tickets are available online at www.provincetowntheater.org or by calling the box office at 508-487-7487.