Horror Meets Comedy

This production of “Young Frankenstein” — a musical based on the Mel Brooks film of the same name that stars the late Gene Wilder— shows how much passion a local theater troupe has for its craft.

The Two of Us Productions is based in Copake, N.Y., and is the creation of Stephen Sanborn and Constance Lopez. But they’re much more than just the creators. Sanborn is the director of “Young Frankenstein,” and he conducts the wonderful orchestra that performs throughout the two-and-a-half-hour musical. Lopez is the choreographer and shines as Igor, the servant of Frederick Frankenstein, played with great comedic timing by Matthew Coviello. 

If you’ve never seen the film, it’s a parody of the classic horror genre. Frederick is the grandson of Victor Frankenstein (Matthew Leinung), and he’s ashamed of his heritage. In fact, he pronounces it “Fronkensteen,” thank you very much. He inherits his grandfather’s castle and heads to Transylvania to deal with the property, where he meets Igor.

There are some powerful voices in this cast. Betsy Rees, who plays Frederick’s fiancée, Elizabeth, sounds perfect in songs like “Please Don’t Touch Me” and “Deep Love.” Kelly Sienkiewicz,  who portrays Inga, a yodeling lab assistant, somehow manages to carry an impressive tune while going for a “Roll in the Hay” in the back of a wagon with Frederick. And Mark Leinung, as a lonely blind hermit, belted out a beautiful rendition of “Please Send Me Someone” that added some heartfelt emotion to the musical.

But don’t worry, there is plenty of comedy in this production. As the creature, Brian Mauch is able to generate laughs with a few well-placed grunts and groans. The cast of villagers — including Cyndi Miller as Ziggy, the village idiot, and Frank Leavitt as Inspector Kemp — are always up to something as they run across the stage.

The set is a bit minimal, but the cast makes the best of it by utilizing every bit of space. In fact, one of the most noteworthy songs comes in Act 2, when villagers move into the aisles to watch a tap-dancing extravaganza for “Puttin’ on the Ritz.” I felt like I was part of the show.

“Young Frankenstein” is at the Performing Arts Center at Taconic Hills High School in Craryville, N.Y., through Oct. 9. For details, go to www.thetwo
ofusproductions.org.