Young Frankenstein Musical
Book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan
Music and Lyrics by Mel Brooks
Directed by Mike Dunham,
Assistant Directed by Jessica Moss
Music Director Tommy Byrd
Choreography by Venae Ellis
More info: jes.moss@brct.one / 404-917-6451
Show Dates: October 17 through November 3, 2024 (Thursday - Sunday)
SYNOPSIS
It's alive! The electrifying adaptation of Mel Brooks' monstrously funny film will leave you in stitches.
From the creators of the record-breaking Broadway sensation, The Producers, comes this monster new musical come-dy. The comedy genius, Mel Brooks, adapts his legendarily funny film into a brilliant stage creation – Young Franken-stein!
Transylvania Heights, 1934: Grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced "Fronk-en-steen") inherits his family's estate in Transylvania. With the help of a hunchback sidekick, Igor (pronounced "Eye-gore"), and a leggy lab assistant, Inga (pronounced normally), Frederick finds himself in the mad scientist shoes of his ancestors. "It's alive!" he exclaims as he brings to life a creature to rival his grandfather's. Eventually, of course, the monster escapes and hilarity continuously abounds.
Every bit as relevant to audience members who will remember the original as it will be to newcomers, Young Franken-stein has all of the panache of the screen sensation with a little extra theatrical flair added. With such memorable tunes as "The Transylvania Mania," "He Vas My Boyfriend" and "Puttin' on the Ritz," Young Frankenstein is scientifically prov-en, monstrously good entertainment.
FOR AUDITIONS:
Please fill out the audition form on the website prior to arrival. Arrive with:
• With any schedule CONFLICTS clearly listed
• Characters you are interested in auditioning for
Headshot (if you have one)
Monday, July 22: Dance* and Vocal auditions
• Please prepare a piece of music that is approximately 32 bars in length. The goal is to choose a section that show-cases your vocal abilities that fit a similar style and character to Young Frankenstein (please do not use a song from Young Frankenstein, we will use these in callbacks the following day)
• Please bring an instrumental / karaoke track to accompany you. This can be on your phone or on a portable drive so we can play it through our PA.
• As a big part of this musical depends on timing with the music and an ensemble, auditioning A Capella (without mu-sic) is discouraged.
You may bring the lyrics or sheet music to read during your audition.
Tuesday, July 23: Vocal Callbacks, Character song (or different song from Monday) and Cold reading of sides (these will be provided)
*For Dance Auditions:
Everyone auditioning will participate in a VERY BASIC dance audition with the choreographer on Monday & PLEASE DO NOT stay away if you can not or do not dance! The choreographer will accommodate!
• OPTIONAL FOR EXPERIENCED/TRAINED DANCERS: If you would like to showcase your awesome dance gifts, feel free to prepare a 64 combo (featuring Jazz and/or Tap technique) to one of the provided songs (see RESOURCES below)!
Everyone auditioning should wear comfortably loose clothing and comfortable dance footwear (e.g., jazz character, bal-let, tennis, hip-hop, tap, etc.).
WE ALSO NEED SOME CREW MEMBERS! Please contact us at the email address above if you are interested in help-ing out backstage!
Character breakdowns:
ENSEMBLE
This is a very ensemble heavy show! You will have a lot of stage time, so we need strong singers and danc-ers (you don’t necessarily need to be both!). This group will portray gravediggers, villagers, passengers, mad scientists and various other supporting roles. Choir experience and an ear for 4 part harmonies is defi-nitely a plus.
Ensemble Cast, all ages and genders– 8-14 people
• Featured Ensemble: solos within larger songs or prominent characters, named characters, excellent character acting opportunities
• Singers for a Barbershop Quartet are needed as Featured Ensemble members
• It is possible that those cast as Featured Ensemble may also be understudies for Main Characters
• Featured Dancers: soloist dancers within larger dance numbers, will be part of the ensemble
• Standard Ensemble: members of the group filling out the scenes, singing and dancing, and having fun with the group! You will have a lot of stage time!
MEN
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein – Male, age 25-35ish. Brilliant brain surgeon, professor, and grandson of mad scientist. Wide ranging character arc from a nerdy academic into a brilliant mad scientist. Seeking a comic actor who combines the manic energy of Danny Kaye with the charm and elegance of Fred Astaire.
• Vocal Range: Baritone, Bb2 - G4
• Dancing: Tap skills are a plus
Igor – Male, age indeterminate. Frederick’s faithful, bright-eyed, eager servant and friend–with a hunchback. Strong comedic timing and physical comedic skills are necessary, as he should have the nimble charm to sing English music hall style songs and the show-biz savvy of Jimmy Durante.
• Vocal Range: Baritone, Bb2 - G4
• Dancing: Tap skills are a plus
• Cockney British accent necessary
• Familiarity with Vaudeville is a plus.
The Monster – Male, age indeterminate. Played by a bigger man, 6'0" minimum - The misunderstood crea-tion of Dr. Frankenstein who eventually inherits startling intelligence with a booming articulacy.
• Vocal range: Bass, Db2 - Bb4
• Must be able to emit howling/monster/grunting sounds on key
• Dancing: Tap skills are a plus
• Will wear lifts regardless of height
• Full face make-up required
Dr. Victor Von Frankenstein- Male, 50+. Ghost of Frederick’s father tempting him into his mad scientist ways.
• Vocal range: Baritone, C#2 - F4
• May also be part of the ensemble
Inspector Hans Kemp – Male, age 30-50s. Head of the police in Transylvania, with a wooden arm and leg. Justice-driven and sternly protective over his town.
• Vocal Range: Baritone, A2-A4
• May also be part of the ensemble
• German Accent necessary
Blind Hermit – Male, age indeterminate. Lonely, poor, blind town hermit longing for a friend with a dramati-cally heartbreaking ballad.
• Vocal Range: Baritone, Ab2 - F4
• May also be part of the ensemble.
Ziggy – Male, age 20-50s. The well-intentioned village idiot of the happiest town in Transylvania is also their voice of reason.
• Vocal Range: D3 - Eb4
• Also part of the ensemble.
WOMEN
Inga – Female, age 20s. Frederick’s sexy, bubbly, not-so-bright young assistant. She is a resident of Tran-sylvania and oblivious to her immense charms. Seeking an energetic actor with great stage presence.
• Vocal range: Mezzo (G3 - A5)
• Yodeling and German Accent necessary
• Dancing: Tap or ballet skills are a plus
Elizabeth Benning – Female, age 20s-30s. Self-loving, self-absorbed and spoiled; She is the “madcap”, boisterous fiancé of Frederick. A great comedic role, she represents the perfection of New York sophistica-tion and untouchability.
• Vocal range: High Mezzo belter (F#3 - F5)
• Music has a comic-operetta-ish sensibility
Frau Blücher – Female, age late 40s- late 60s. Intense, stern housekeeper of Frankenstein estate. Former lover of Victor Frankenstein. She keeps the secrets of the past. A great slyly comic role. Requires skilled, dark, dramatic Lotte Lenya alto with a real sense of the Berlin Cabaret world of the 1920s and 30s.
• Vocal range: Contralto (E3-C5)
• Broad German accent required
• Character plays the violin, so experience here would be a plus, but is not required.
RESOURCES for Monday’s Audition:
Character Suggestions to help you prepare for your audition if you need more information. Let us know if you have any questions.
You can do a song from a musical for your Monday audition or anything else with a karaoke track that you enjoy singing. The main goal of Monday is to showcase your strengths with a song that you are comfortable singing. If you still are unsure what to sing, here are some suggestions below. THESE ARE ONLY SUGGES-TIONS!
• Listed below are also the character songs for Tuesday callbacks if you want to get a jump start work-ing on the song for the character(s) of your choice.
• Dance music for optional 64 count dance audition combo is also provided below. Select the clip that is most inspiring to you.
Ensemble:
• We need all vocal ranges, genders, and ages for this. All singing and dancing abilities as well. Bring any song that you enjoy singing and you feel shows off your range and skill the best. But the most im-portant thing is pick something that you HAVE FUN with!
• Please find an instrumental track to go with it on YouTube, Spotify, or your music provider. If you have any questions, please contact us.
Frederick:
• Pop/Rock Artists: Modern crooners with pep and range: Queen’s “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”, Mi-chael Buble’s version of “Feeling Good”, “Mack the Knife” by Bobby Darin, Billy Joel’s “Piano Man”
• Similar Musical Songs: examples: “Comedy Tonight” from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, “Betrayed” from The Producers, “Wait for It” from Hamilton, “On the Street Where You Live” from My Fair Lady,
• Key words: Emotional, Quick, Lots of Range, Humor, energy, arc from vulnerability to strength
• Character Songs for callbacks: Life, Life
• 2 & 3 The Happiest Town pt2 - The Brain (score).mp3. Song begins 1:40 in
• 2-The Brain Young Frankenstein.mp3
Igor:
• Pop/Rock Artists: Classic character crooner from last century: Jimmy Durante’s “Smile” or “Make Someone Happy”, “L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole, “Ain’t No Sunshine” or “Lean on Me” from Bill Withers
• Similar Musical Songs: “Master of the House” from Les Miserables, “Dentist!” from Little Shop of Hor-rors, “You Got Trouble” from The Music Man, “Get Me to The Church” from My Fair Lady
• Key words: Humor, Articulacy, Confident energy
• Character Songs for callbacks: Together Again (Igor portion)
• 5 Together Again C.mp3
• 4-Together Again Young Frankenstein.mp3
Inga:
• Pop/Rock Artists: Bright youthful singers with clarity and a bell tone: Best represented by nearly every classic Disney Princess
• Similar Musical Songs: “Special” from Avenue Q, “Popular” from Wicked, “When You Got It, Flaunt It” from the Producers, “I Could Have Danced All Night” from My Fair Lady
• Character Songs for callbacks: Roll In The Hay
• 6 Roll In The Hay (score) A.mp3
• 5-Roll In The Hay.mp3
RESOURCES (continued)
Frau B:
Pop/Rock Artists:: Deep Voiced vixens like the Eurythmics “Sweet Dreams”, Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good”, “Landslide” or “Dreams” from Fleetwood Mac, “Stormy Weather” by Etta James
Musical Songs: “Mein Herr” from Cabaret, “Just Around the Corner” from The Addams Family, “When You’re Good to Mama” from Chicago, “Poor Unfortunate Souls” from The Little Mermaid
• Character Songs for callbacks: He Vas My Boyfriend
• 8 He Vas My Boyfriend Abm.mp3. Song begins 44 seconds in
• 6-He Vas My Boyfriend.mp3
The Monster:
• Pop/Rock Artists: Big Booming Vocals: “Ring of Fire” or “Hurt” from Johnny Cash, “Sultans of Swing” by the Dire Straits, “I Heard It through the Grapevine” from Marvin Gay, “Simple Man” from Lynyrd Skyn-ard
• Similar Musical Songs: “If I Can’t Love Her” from Beauty and the Beast, “Why Should I Wake Up” from Cabaret, “Hey Little Songbird” from Hadestown
• Character Songs for callbacks: Monster - Deep Love Reprise
• 25 & 26 Deep Love reprise - Finale Ultimo (score) Db.mp3.
• 25 & 26 Deep Love reprise - Finale Ultimo (score) Db.mp3
Elizabeth:
• Pop/Rock Artists: Rangy, Belty artists: Blondie’s “Call Me”, Sia’s “Chandelier” of “Unstoppable”, Barbra Streisand’s Broadway Album
• Similar Musical Songs: Ethyl Merman classics like “Anything Goes” or “Alexander’s Ragtime Band”, “Adelaide’s Lament” from Guys and Dolls, “Daddy’s Girl” from Grey Gardens, “I Get a Kick Out of You” from Anything Goes, “Maybe This Time” Cabaret
• Character Songs for callbacks: Don’t Touch Me
• Link to Don’t Touch Me
Victor Sr. (also suggestions for Kemp and Ziggy):
• Pop/Rock Artists: Think a Transylvanian Frank Sinatra or Dean Martin, charismatic crooner; choose something that you feel most comfortable singing and demonstrates your vocal strengths
• Similar Musical Songs: “Singing in the Rain” from Singing in the Rain, “If I Only Had a Brain” from The Wizard of Oz”, “Luck Be A Lady” from Guys and Dolls, “Razzle Dazzle” from Chicago
• Character Songs for callbacks: Join The Family Business
• 7 Join The Family Business (score) Dm.mp3
• 7-Join the Family Business Young Frankenstein.mp3
Hermit (also suggestions for Kemp and Ziggy):
• Pop/Rock Artists: Heartbreak crooners, “Everything” or “Lost” from Michael Buble, “Yesterday” by the Beatles
• Similar Musical Songs: “The Ballad of Farquaad” from Shrek, “It Must Be Believed to Be Seen” from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, “Mr. Cellophane” from Chicago, “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face” from My Fair Lady
• Character Songs for callbacks: Please Send Me Someone
• 18 Please Send Me Someone (score) Db.mp3
• 12-Please Send Me Someone.mp3
Dance Music for Leads and Featured Dancers (optional):
Interested in auditioning for this show?
More info to come
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