TRANSYLVANIA MANIA AT SANTA BARBARA HIGH SCHOOL

Welcome back to another season of amazing musical theatre at Santa Barbara’s nationally-recognized, premiere performing arts high school—Santa Barbara High School, home of the Dons.   Now in our 93rd year of continuous theatre in this space, we are excited to begin the season with Young Frankenstein.  

Young Frankenstein is based on the critically-acclaimed Mel Brooks film that was named “one of the funniest movies of all time” by the American Film Institute and features a Book by Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award winner Brooks (The Producers) and multi-Tony Award winner Thomas Meehan (The Producers, Annie, and Hairspray), with Music and Lyrics by Brooks. Young Frankenstein has been called “Truly exhilarating!” (The New York Times); “Delightfully nutty! Glittering, buoyant fun that tickles its audience into high spirits!” (Los Angeles Times); “A highly entertaining musical-comedy spectacular featuring endless doses of Brooks’ classic humor!” (Hollywood Reporter); and “A jolly monster of a show!” (Variety). 

Young Frankenstein is the wickedly inspired re-imagining of the Frankenstein legend. The story follows young Dr. Frankenstein as he attempts to complete his grandfather’s masterwork and bring a corpse to life. With his creepy servant, Igor, bombshell lab assistant, Inga, and madcap fiancée, Elizabeth, Dr. Frankenstein succeeds in creating a monster—but not without monstrous repercussions. Young Frankenstein was nominated for three 2008 Tony Awards, a Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album, and was the winner of the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical. It ran on Broadway from 2007 to 2009 and toured the U.S in 2010 and 2011.
The team that brought you SPAMALOT, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and Pippin are back together in Young Frankenstein.  Long-time collaborator Christina McCarthy, head of the University of California at Santa Barbara’s Dance Department, returns to choreograph, while Dr. Jon Nathan, UCSB Jazz Ensemble, is the Musical Director.  Sio Tepper, who was the Vocal Director for HAIR, will perform those duties for this show.  Costume Design for Young Frankenstein is by Resident Costume Designer Bonnie Thor (How To Succeed, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Pippin, and Hair).  The set for Young Frankenstein, complete with a dungeon laboratory, secret passages, and a roll in the hay, will be designed by Otto Layman (who also directs), with technical assistance and construction provided by Technical Director Jonathan Mitchell.  Light Design is by Mike Madden (many, many shows at SBHS, from Carnival to SPAMALOT and Big Fish).

The cast of 28 is led by Seniors Ben Zevallos (Frederick Frankenstein), Hazel Brady (Inga), William Blondell (Igor), and Sarina Wasserman (Elizabeth).  Joining them in this madcap romp are Lily Linz (Frau Blucher), Cai Norton (The Monster), and Tyler Dahneke as Inspector Kemp.  Joined by an ensemble of talented singers and dancers, the cast and the production is sure to keep you on the edge of your seats with excitement, keep you rolling in the hay with laughter, and thrill you right to the very end.

Young Frankenstein opens November 4 at 7pm, with additional performances November 6 at 2pm and 7pm, November 11 at 7pm, November 12 at 2pm and 7pm, and November 13 at 2pm.  Tickets are $15.00 for adults and $10.00 for students with student ID.    Online ticket reservations begin October 15th at www.sbhstheatre.com/tickets.  For more information call (805)966-9101 x5209.