Elgin High School to stage 'Young Frankenstein'
Creepy humor will be all the rage this weekend at Elgin High School, when students stage their production of Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein."
Performances run Thursday through Saturday at Elgin High School, 1200 Maroon Drive, and tickets are $8-$10.
The Daily Herald caught up with director Jen Prise to find out more about the production. Prise is assisted by vocal director Roz Zager and musical director Jaimie Giraldo.
Q. Why did you choose "Young Frankenstein" for your spring play?
A. We chose Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein" because none of the local high schools have performed it yet, and it is the 40th anniversary of the film. The humor is timeless; there were ample opportunities for chorus members to shine as supporting characters.
Q. For those who aren't familiar, please describe the plot.
A. When the will of Victor Frankenstein, the famous scientist who attempted to reanimate dead bodies, is opened, his grandson Frederick, who's become a skilled neurosurgeon and teacher and has cut most ties with his family name due to his grandfather's experiments, inherits the castle where all the experiments were made. Upon his arrival, Frederick finds and reads through his grandfather's book about his theories and experiments and discovers that they might in fact work. Assisted by Igor, the grandson of the Igor who assisted Victor Frankenstein, and Inga, an attractive lab assistant, he successfully reanimates a body which soon escapes and creates havoc.
Q. What were some of the challenges in putting on "Young Frankenstein?"
A. Teaching comic timing is never an easy task. Luckily many of our lead actors already had a firm grasp on the concepts. It became an issue of massaging timing and finding the right emphasis for the beats. The ensemble had tons of fun learning accents and creating their "reaction shots" for large group scenes.
Q. What about costuming and special effects?
A. Every show holds its own set of artistic and technical challenges; the main one for this show was costuming, Roz Zager has done an incredible job in keeping with our black and white movie theme. All the set pieces and costumes are in gray scale, giving the entire show a unique look.
Q. What were some of the best moments in putting together this production?
A. Seeing (the performers) grow as actors and musicians. Specifically, when they would finally see the humor in a scene play out the way I directed it to go and it was like seeing the movie again for the first time.
Q. What do some of the performers have to say about the show and their role in it?
A. Ensemble member Meriyanna Santiago says, "Learning the tap dancing from Aly (Heintz, choreographer) was harder than it looked, but so great when it finally clicked." Abby Lag thinks the audience will "enjoy the boundless energy the characters bring to each performance." Rose Dimitroyannis (Igor) thinks "this is a unique show for the high school level to be performing and that there is a unique range of talent throughout the cast."
If you go
What: Elgin High School's production of "Young Frankenstein"
When: 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26-28
Where: Elgin High School auditorium, 1200 Maroon Drive
Tickets: Adults $10, students and seniors $8
Details: (847) 888-5100, ext. 5103