Mel Brooks stays by ‘Frankenstein’ as its tour begins
Producer’s show to travel the U.S.
By Chris Jones
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Published: November 6, 2009
CHICAGO — In the 2008 satirical revue "Forbidden Broadway Goes to Rehab,” a green-faced monster and a Mel Brooks-like narrator sing a dirty little song to the tune of "Puttin’ On the Ritz,” mocking audiences for, to paraphrase it delicately, putting up with less-than-stellar material for lots of cash.
Brooks was co-producer, book writer along with
Thomas Meehan, and composer and lyricist. The musical was based on the 1974 movie Brooks directed and co-wrote with star
Gene Wilder.
"Here’s my dilemma,” Brooks said. "Should a very bright guy like myself — and a very talented guy, I would add — should I write something that the critics would like and the peasants would hate? I could. I could write a musical version of ‘She Stoops to Conquer’ with lots of clever internal rhymes. You’d all love that, and I could do it. Or should I write something that is going to please me? Something that the people will like. Something that’s good.”
Looking back on the "Young Frankenstein” Broadway debacle, it’s certainly true that the show had chronic creative issues. But it’s also fair to note that the production was also suffering from what was perceived as outlandish hubris.
"It’s great to be able to have another stab at it,” director
Susan Stroman said. "Without all the distractions, I’ve been able to concentrate on the actors and on the choreography.”
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services
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