Nocturne Theatre is presenting Frankenstein: Resurrection, an original new musical written and directed by Justin Meyer, with music by award-winning composer Chris Thomas. Drawing inspiration from Mary Shelley’s enduring creation and characters, and the rich cinematic history of Frankenstein, this dark new chapter blends gothic horror, science fiction, amazing technical wizardry, and fabulous triple-threat performers to tell a story of obsession, grief, and the terrible cost of refusing to let go of the past.
First published anonymously in 1818, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus has inspired more than two centuries of adaptations and reinterpretations. But Frankenstein: Resurrection does not seek to recreate Shelley’s novel onstage – it uses its characters, ideas and consequences as the foundation for a sequel in which Victor’s pursuit of conquering death has finally succeeded. But this time, he is the one brought back from the dead!
Along with writing and directing the awe-inspiring production, Justin Meyer stars as Victor Frankenstein, who awakens in a secret laboratory beneath the infamous Paris Morgue, resurrected by the brilliant Doctor Seraphina Pretorius (Kayla Fast), who works for her sister Elsa’s (Jett LaFever) fiancé Emile Dechamps (Brayden Hade). Also residing in the Morgue is The Creature (tall and menacing Jay Michael Roberts who also designed the movable scenic design) created by Victor along with other disturbing zombie-like beings brought to life by Septimus Pretorius (Jonah Lees). Dressed in a variety of exquisitely monstrous costumes designed by Tanya Cyr and fabricated by Koalani Walkoe, the ensemble adds close-up moments of the macabre as they enter and exit through aisles in the audience!
Dazzled by Elsa’s beauty, Victor becomes convinced that she is the reincarnation of his lost bride Elizabeth, who often appears to taunt Elsa as Victor descends into a nightmare of obsession and madness. Guided by the Creature through the Nine Circles of Hell, Victor is ultimately forced to confront a terrifying truth that the greatest monster he ever created may have been himself.
In program notes, Justin Meyer admits he has “always loved Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, but just as much, I’ve loved the strange cinematic afterlife of these characters – the Universal monsters, especially The Bride of Frankenstein, Hammer Horror, The Curse of Frankenstein, the outrageous Flesh for Frankenstein, and later the dark fantasy worlds of Tim Burton and Danny Elfman. The imagery is irresistible: the laboratory, the storm, the corpse on the slab, the lonely Creature, and the scientist whose ambition blinds him to what he is becoming.” And as such, elements and characters from all those titles fill Frankenstein: Resurrectionscenes, including a lab slab from which columns of ceiling-high sparks fly!
But while Victor and The Creature remain central to the tale, modern audiences will certainly appreciate Elsa’s determination to define her future, her identity, and even who she is allowed to become, exemplified by LaFever as she performs Elsa’s “What’s Best for Me.” And as the song ends, a defiantly independent woman emerges to stop listening to what others want her to be as she decides to embrace the life she chooses for herself – even though it means following Victor into the mouth of Hell.
The same self-awareness also changes the Creature, who has lived for more than a century with the consequences of becoming monstrous through abandonment and suffering. Meyer adds, “he remains frightening and scarred, but he has learned empathy. Victor, meanwhile, is resurrected and begins walking the same destructive road again.” In fact, the final confrontation between Victor and The Creature got me wondering which of them is really The Monster, with Meyer and Roberts bringing these two characters, both in full body suits, realistically to life each moment they are onstage.
Along with previously mentioned astounding technical credits, kudos to sound designer Matt Merline who manages to keep voices blended and harmonious – not an easy task due to the Nocturne’s theatre-in-the-round seating and Meyer’s brilliant direction to make each audience member feel the entire production is staged for their viewing pleasure at all times. Mood-inspiring lighting designed by stage manager Micah Delhauer brilliantly plunges audiences into the gothic world of resurrection and dangerous experimentation.
Choreographed and co-produced with assistant director Melissa Meyer, Frankenstein: Resurrection continues through November 1 at The Nocturne Theatre, 324 North Orange Street, Glendale 91203. Tickets start at $46.50, available at https://thenocturnetheatre.com. Available seats will be sold at the box office prior to each performance. But when word gets out, I expect performances will start selling out, so order yours early!
The winner of four 2024 Tony Awards, including Best Musical,The North American Tour of The Outsiders, adaptedfrom S.E. Hinton’s seminal novel and Francis Ford Coppola’s iconic film, is now playing at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre through October 18. This thrilling new musical features a book by Adam Rapp with Justin Levine, music and lyrics by Jamestown Revival (Jonathan Clay & Zach Chance) and Tony Award winner Justin Levine’s music supervision, orchestration, and arrangements, high octane choreography by brothers Rick and Jeff Kuperman, and engaging direction by Tony Award winner Danya Taymor.
The story takes place in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1967 where the hardened hearts and aching souls of Ponyboy Curtis, Johnny Cade and their chosen family of ‘outsiders’ are in a fight for survival while on a quest for purpose in a world that may never accept them. With a dynamic original score, The Outsiders examines the bonds that brothers share and the hopes we all hold on to, reinvigorating the timeless tale of ‘haves and have nots,’ of protecting what’s yours, and fighting for what could be… and the realization that there is still “lots of good in the world.”
Featured in the stellar cast is Nolan White as Ponyboy Curtis – with Jordan DeAndre Williams brilliantly stepping into the role on opening night when I attended, with his knock-out triple-threat performance drawing me into Ponyboy’s story every moment he was onstage. Bonale Fambrini is perfectly cast as Johnny Cade, sharing his heart-wrenching journey as a broken young sweetheart of a man. Outstanding supporting players in the multicultural cast include Tyler Jordan Wesley as Dallas Winston, originally played by Matt Dillon in the 1983 film, who completely made the role his own as a criminally minded black man with a heart of gold, and Jaydon Nget who totally inhabited the role of Two-Bit, bringing levity to the Greasers’ tough circumstances but stepping up to fight when necessary.
Kudos to Justin Levine for the ensemble’s remarkable harmonies, especially those featuring soprano Emma Hearn as Cherry Valance, and the spectacular Kuperman Brothers’ choreography, especially during the breathtaking fight scene in the park while it poured rain on stage. Director Danya Taymor is to be congratulated for guiding the entire cast into delivering a Broadway caliber show not to be missed!!
Run time is 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission, and is recommended for ages 10 and up due to scenes involving suicide, domestic abuse, and violence. Additionally, this production includes flashing lights, loud noises, the use of e-cigarettes, and theatrical haze. Due to special effects, water droplets, washable red liquid, and small rubber particles may reach seating areas within ten feet of the stage. Children ages 5+ and teens under the age of 14 are required to have an adult chaperone.
For more information and tickets, visit https://www.broadwayinhollywood.com/events/detail/the-outsiders