Avon Players News Release: Mel Brooks' Musical Comedy YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
Contact: John (JD) Deierlein, 248.563.6628
Shriek with Laughter at Avon Players’ Young Frankenstein
Experimentation goes monstrously wrong the Mel Brooks way in this musical comedy
ROCHESTER HILLS, MI, May 2, 2025 – A classic horror parody movie by a legend of the entertainment field will come to life on stage in Avon Players’ Young Frankenstein, running May 30-June 14.
Grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, Frederick (Eric Rodman), who pronounces his name "Fronk-en-steen" in order to distance himself from the family’s tarnished reputation, inherits his ancestral estate. Fancying himself a quintessentially modern physician, Frederick initially wants nothing to do with his family’s grim legacy as he departs from New York City leaving behind his alluring but withholding fiancée, Elizabeth (Hosanna Phillips). Upon arrival in Transylvania, he meets a collection of wacky helpers: wise-cracking hunchbacked sidekick, Igor (Jeff Stillman)—pronounced "Eye-gore," of course—leggy lab assistant, Inga (Emily Brown), and the formidable and intense housekeeper, Frau Blucher (Jill Blazis-Sloan). With their help, Frederick reluctantly finds himself in the mad scientist shoes of his forebear. "It's alive!" he exclaims as he brings to life a creature to rival his grandfather's. Eventually, of course, The Monster (Steve Grady) escapes, pitchforks are raised by villagers, and hilarity abounds. From the mind of Mel Brooks, based on his classic comedy film, Young Frankenstein is an electrifying musical comedy parody full of sublime slapstick, wicked wordplay, and madcap musical numbers.
Young Frankenstein features music and lyrics by Mel Brooks and a book by Brooks and Thomas Meehan. Brooks’ comedy career began as a writer on Sid Ceasar’s Your Show of Shows. (Incidentally, Brooks was the real-life inspiration for the character of Ira in Avon’s most recent play, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, written by Neil Simon about his own experiences working in that show’s writer’s room.) That was the beginning of a career that spans more than seven decades and has garnered Brooks much attention, box office success, and accolades. He is an “EGOT” winner as well as a Kennedy Center Honoree. His film The Producers earned him an Academy Award for screenwriting. It was also the start of his collaborations with actor Gene Wilder, who went on to star in other Brooks favorites Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein. The latter film is a 1974 parody of the horror film genre generally, but specifically the 1931 Universal film Frankenstein and its 1935 sequel, Bride of Frankenstein. Alongside Wilder as Frederick, Young Frankenstein starred Madeline Kahn as Elizabeth, Marty Feldman as Igor, Peter Boyle as The Monster, Cloris Leachman as Frau Blucher, and Teri Garr as Inga. It was a critical and commercial success and is ranked number thirteen on the American Film Institute’s list of the 100 Funniest American Movies.
Director Joy Oetjens, who appeared on Avon’s stage earlier this season as Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd and who directed last season’s Drinking Alone, has been a fan of Mel Brooks’ bawdy and sharp satires since she was old enough to watch them. “Or, honestly, a bit too young, but I watched any way” Oetjens joked. She first responded to the top-tier comic performances by the stellar cast but came to appreciate Brooks’ direction and point of view: campy but loving, highbrow and lowbrow, sophisticated and juvenile. Oetjens’ love of the movie made her initially skeptical about whether the title could work as a stage adaptation but while reading the script, she immediately knew she was in sure artistic hands: “It works so well because Mel Brooks himself wrote the music and lyrics and faithfully recreated the movie with just enough surprises to keep it fresh. Young Frankenstein has to be among the most quotable comedy films of all time, and audience members will find everything they love and remember plus hilarious musical sequences.”
Tickets for all shows are $32. Call 248.608.9077 for tickets or order online at www.avonplayers.org. Discounts on group rates are available by calling the box office. “Like” Avon Players Theatre on Facebook for special offers on tickets. All major credit cards are accepted. All seats are reserved. Show dates and times follow:
Saturday, May 31 8:00 PM
Sunday, June 1 2:00 PM
Friday, June 6 8:00 PM
Saturday, June 7 8:00 PM
Sunday, June 8 2:00 PM
Friday, June 13 8:00 PM
Saturday, June 14 8:00 PM
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Avon Players is celebrating its 78th season of bringing quality entertainment to its community. Founded in 1947, Avon Players is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit community theatre located along the winding banks of Stoney Creek in the quaint Historic District of Rochester Hills, only about two miles from the heart of downtown Rochester. Avon Players has been performing shows in its unique A-frame theater since 1965. With ticket prices set at a fraction of those at professional theaters (plus free parking), a family of four can experience a sensational live theatrical event for about the cost of one ticket at a "downtown" venue. And for regular theatre-goers, an affordable outing can be an even better bargain by taking advantage of Avon Players’ season ticket packages, which yield discounts of up to 15% per ticket. Additionally, season ticket holders enjoy priority seating selection and voting privileges in Avon’s annual “Stoney Awards.” Additional information regarding tickets and productions is available by calling the Avon Players box office at 248.608.9077 or by visiting the website: www.avonplayers.org.
Cast and Production Staff by Community:
Auburn Hills
RJ Miller-Zelinko (Properties Design)
Jeff Monterosso (Ensemble)
Chesterfield Township
Logan Synnestvedt (“The Hermit”/Ensemble)
Clinton Township
Patty Hagel (Producer)
Amanda Murray (Ensemble)
Detroit
Ron Pietrantoni (Music Director)
Hazel Park
Hosanna Phillips (“Elizabeth Benning”)
Lake Orion
Eric Rodman (“Dr. Frederick Frankenstein”)
Oakland
Lisa Miller (Wig Design)
Max Miller (Ensemble)
Ortonville
Joy Oetjens (Director)
Rochester
Aaron Barnes (“Inspector Hans Kemp”)
Jill Blazis-Sloan (“Frau Blucher”)
John (JD) Deierlein (Costume Design/Lighting Design)
Steve Grady (“The Monster”)
Ann Rhodes-Sweet (Set Dress)
Rochester Hills
Nick Kibler (Sound Design)
Adam Rivera (Ensemble)
Jack Stoll (Ensemble)
Romeo
Kionna Dailey (Ensemble)
Shelby Township
Kelly Miller (Hair and Make-up Design)
Kevin Miller (Set Design)
Pamela Plewa (Ensemble)
Teren Richards (Ensemble)
Sterling Heights
Emily Brown (“Inga”)
Troy
Evelyn Colley (Ensemble)
Maritoni Harte (Choreographer)
Waterford
Tagg Smith (Ensemble)
Jeff Stillman (“Igor”)
Wixom
Leah Frazier (Ensemble)
Avon Players
John (JD) Deielein President
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, May 30 8:00 PM