Talented Cast, Irresistible Evening

Warning: resistance is futile. Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein” is, frankly, not that great of a musical. Its bawdy jokes are repeated multiple times to make absolutely sure nobody in the audiences misses a single one. The songs are too long and not very musically interesting. 

But as performed by the terrifically talented and charming cast in the Up in One Production now playing at the Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck (the second local production this month — the first was performed by the Two of Us Productions in Craryville), and directed by Kevin Archambault, the laughs keep coming. 

Brooks was probably hoping to replicate the runaway success of “The Producers” when he turned his near-perfect film into a musical. While not in the same league, “Young Frankenstein” faithfully reproduces the plot and jokes from the horror-film parody, which tells the tale of Frederick Frankenstein, a leading expert in brain science in New York. He rejects his family history, calling himself “Fronkensteen,” to separate himself from his famous grandfather, Victor, but when he finds himself the heir to the family castle in Transylvania, he travels back to sort things out and is soon drawn into the “family business” of reanimating corpses. 

The show is stuffed with talent — perhaps too much, as the enthusiastic ensemble sometimes overcrowds the stage. Victoria Howland, so strong in past productions in Rhinebeck, notched up another excellent performance as Frederick’s high society fiancée, Elizabeth. She sings the two most risqué numbers: “Please Don’t Touch Me” and, after making the acquaintance of the Monster in Act 2, “Deep Love.” Howland’s voice soars, and she’s always funny.

Elaine del Rio is hilarious as the severe Frau Blucher, who is so frightening that the mention of her name makes horses whinny. (She gets my favorite line in the show: “He vas my boyfriend!”) David Foster, as Victor, has a strong voice and great stage presence, and Andy Crispell as the blind Hermit is both touching and funny singing “Please Send Me Someone.”

Rocco Palmieri as the hapless and hunch-backed Igor (pronounced “Eye-gor,” of course) comes closest to an imitation of his film counterpart, the inimitable Marty Feldman, even attempting the British accent, though he eventually makes the role his own (despite some troubles with his hump, which didn’t always cooperate with the running joke about its location). Aubrey Flick as Inga, the voluptuous blonde lab assistant, is excellent as well.

The best surprise is Bobby Greffrath as The Monster. Suitably tall and imposing, he sells the great number “Puttin’ on the Ritz” with delight, and even better is what happens after Frederick attempts to implant his own intelligence into the Monster to fend off the angry villagers. I won’t spoil it for you. 

There were some minor opening night troubles — wardrobe and prop malfunctions, awkward set pieces, slow transitions — which should be smoothed away by this weekend and next. The excellent orchestra, led by Jeri Burns, couldn’t always be heard, especially when the whole cast was singing and dancing. 

But these quibbles are minor: “Young Frankenstein” is irresistible.

“Young Frankenstein” is at The Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck through Nov. 6. For tickets, call 845-876-3080 or go to www.centerforperformingarts.org.