Monsterous fun at the Powerhouse Theatre

WHAT: City Theatre of Independence presents “Young Frankenstein: The New Mel Brooks Musical,” a book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan and directed by Nino Casisi, music directed by Chris Foglio and choreography by Anna Leigh Nissen.

WHEN: 8 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday; 8 p.m. March 31, April 1 and 2; 2 p.m. April 3. Dinner theater is Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are required either online or by calling 816-325-7367.

WHERE: Powerhouse Theatre, Roger T. Sermon Community Center, 201 N. Dodgion Ave., Independence.

HOW MUCH: $14; $12 for seniors. Tickets may be purchased on the City Theatre’s website www.citytheatreofindependence.org.

THE STORY: Grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced “Fronk-en-steen”) inherits his family’s estate in Transylvania. With the help of a hunchbacked sidekick, Igor (pronounced “Eye-gore”), and a leggy lab assistant, Frederick finds himself in the mad scientist shoes of his ancestors. Eventually, of course, the monster escapes and hilarity continuously abounds. Based on the 1974 classic Mel Brooks motion picture, your favorite lines, characters and moments are brought to life as a new Mel Brooks’ Broadway musical with such favorites as Roll in Ze Hay and He Vas My Boyfriend. Produced by special arrangements with Music Theatre International, Inc., New York. Written by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan. Original choreography by Susan Stroman.

CAST:

Frederick Frankenstein: Christopher Murrell

Igor: Chad Burris

Elizabeth Benning: Charlotte Gilman

Inga: Landis Merrill

Frau Blucher: Ruth Bigus

Inspector Kemp: Brian DeMarea

Herman the Hermit: Emerson Rapp

The Monster: Stephen Howard

Victor Von Frankenstein: Sam Gershman

Ensemble: Becky Clark, Heather Foose, Moe Graenser, Ann Lauderdale, Eli Biesemeyer, Tracy Pratt, Jeremy Walter

– Karl Zinke