After the success of THE PRODUCERS in 2001, director, writer, actor and producer Mel Brooks adapted another of his outrageously hilarious movies into a musical. The film, which Brooks describes as his “best” is Young Frankenstein, and the musical shares the now iconic title. Mixing his unique sense of humor with a toe-tapping score, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN is theatrical, distinctly Brooks and, now, available for licensing!

For decades, Mel Brooks has been one of the funniest entertainers in America, and his film work has defined a modern comedic style. YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN is a classic in the genre that Brooks has developed and the musical version is no exception, making use of all of the tropes and gags that were perfected in the movie. The theatricality of the stage version enhances the immediacy of the comedy and brings the story to life on a whole new level.

Brooks wrote the score to YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, and shares a writing credit on the book with Thomas Meehan.  The show opened on Broadway in 2007 and won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Broadway Musical. It was hailed by critics from the New York Post to the LA Times as being dazzling, funny, glitzy and “classic Brooks.” The original cast featured an abundance of talented performers including Roger Bart, Andrea Martin, Megan Mullally, and Sutton Foster and was directed and choreographed by Broadway heavyweight Susan Stroman.

With such memorable tunes as "The Transylvania Mania," "He Vas My Boyfriend" and "Puttin' On The Ritz," YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN is scientifically-proven, monstrously good entertainment…and the only place you'll witness a singing and dancing laboratory experiment in the largest tuxedo ever made.
Helpful Production Resources
Like THE PRODUCERS, the success of YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN hinges on the ability of the production to nail the comic timing of the piece and milk each moment of comedy, both verbal and physical. To that end, MTI provides choreography guides for organizations that license the show. Additional resources include a full score, reference recording, and transpositions if needed, and can be found on the show page. YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN is a great opportunity to showcase an ensemble of actors, with opportunities for humor in all of the roles, big or small.


Synopsis
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN begins in Transylvania Heights in 1934. The townspeople celebrate the funeral procession of the town’s resident mad scientist and monster maker – Dr. Victor von Frankenstein. The villagers have been tormented by Dr. Frankenstein’s monsters for years, and are relieved to be free of his curse. Before they can get too comfy, however, Inspector Kempt tells them that in fact there is one remaining member of the Frankenstein family – Frederick Frankenstein, a New York doctor who teaches at the esteemed “Johns, Miriam and Anthony Hopkins School of Medicine.” Not to worry, Ziggy, the village idiot assures, why would a New York doctor come to Transylvania Heights?

When Frederick, who insists his last name is “Fronkensteen” in an effort to separate himself from his less than scientific ancestors, comes to Transylvania Heights to settle his grandfather’s estate, he is lured into the family business. His assistant, Igor (who has a hump that moves around his back), his grandfather’s girlfriend, Frau Blucher, and his new assistant, Inga, help Frederick create a monster. Frederick’s hope is to endow his monster with the brain of a genius, but Igor drops the brain and substitutes it with one from someone named “Abby Normal”. The monster goes on a rampage, the villagers want to hang Frederick, and his fiancé, Elizabeth, arrives from New York only to be swept off her feet by the monster. However, through several great show numbers (including “Putting on the Ritz”) and a barrage of classic Mel Brooks shtick, Frederick manages to transfer some of his own knowledge to the monster, who becomes brilliant. All’s well that ends well and the monster becomes mayor of Transylvania Heights (and marries Elizabeth), Frederick marries Inga and decides to stay in his castle and keep up the family business, and Frau Blucher goes on a “blind date” with a blind hermit.

To learn about licensing this brand new show to the MTI catalogue, visit the YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN show page.