Michael Johnson / The Livingston County News
The Frankenstein Monster, left, played by Dustin Ayers, attacks Frederick Frankenstein, played by James Morrison, during a scene from Livonia High School's upcoming production of "Young Frankenstein."
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICALS
‘Young Frankenstein’ opens tonight at Livonia High
“Young Frankenstein,” a musical based on the 1974 Mel Brooks movie, opens tonight in Franklin Auditorium at Livonia Senior High School, 2 Bulldog Ave., Livonia.
The show, running through Saturday, was chosen for its over-the-top humor, which directors Jesse Van Epps and Sarah Whittel said will appeal to all ages.
“No matter how many times I’ve heard the jokes,” says Whittel, “I still laugh.”
Igor, back, played by Gil Donohue, points out a werewolf to Frederick Frankenstein, played by James Morrison, and Inga, played by Kirstie Mosher, during a scene from Livonia High School’s production of “Young Frankenstein.”
The show has also provided new acting experiences for the cast.
“Each actor has a chance to develop a larger-than-life character. It is character acting to the extreme,” VanEpps said.
Whittel said students have also had to learn the nuances of comedic timing and delivery in their singing.
“It’s one of the most musically-challenging shows Livonia has done since ‘Les Mis’ in 2009,” Whittel said. “But we have a strong chorus and they have risen to the challenge.”
Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Tickets, which cost $12 ($7 for students and seniors), are available at Livonia Central School Main Offices, West’s Shurfine, Lakeville-Livonia Pharmacy and at the door. For more information about the production call Deirdre Coyle at 346-4000, ext. 1029.
The curtain opens on a funeral procession in Transylvania Heights in 1934 where the townspeople are celebrating the death of the mad scientist Dr. Victor von Frankenstein (played by Dakota Davenport). The merriment is interrupted by Inspector Kemp (Derrick Loi) who informs them that the deceased’s grandson, Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (James Morrison), also a scientist, will inherit the estate. The village idiot Ziggy (Frank Parsons) assures the crowd that the young man will never come to Transylvania. Indeed he does, leaving behind in New York his fiancée Elizabeth (Meghan Sessler).
Once in Transylvania,Young Frankenstein meets a variety of zany characters including the hunchback Igor (Gil Donohue), the yodeling, blonde Inga (Kirstie Mosher), the mysterious violin-toting housekeeper Frau Blucher (Corrine Mosher), the hermit (Louis Jarzbek) and of course, the monster he creates (Dustin Ayers).
Igor, left, played by Gil Donohue, finishes off a musical number by leaping into the arms of Frederick Frankenstein, played by James Morrison, during a dress rehearsal for this weekend’s Livonia High School production of “Young Frankenstein.”
Then, fun and adventures begin.
A large chorus contributes to the mad-cap humor. Appearing in a variety of roles are Lucas Ayers, Seb Bosch, Brooklyn Braun, Justin Brisbane, Sarah Brown, Tori Burley, Emily Carll, Jillian Carll, Allison Casaceli, Sam Childs, Mckayla Conine, Kasey Connor, Tori Coon, Olivia Cronmiller, Lauren Czudak, Amelia Dragone, Sara Dutra, Daisy Goldstein Cross, Bailey Halligan, Hannah Hawkins, Curtis Henry, Syd Herzog, Precious Johnson, Tristan Johnson, Marisa Kaminsky, Kirk Kornbau, Maddy Kowal, Abby Kress, Emily LaRocca, Morgan LaRocca, Meghan Lavery, Kelsey LoPresto, Julia McDevitt, Ryan O’Dea, Josh Peck, Connor Pierce, Gabby Reid, Gabrielle Sheeley, Alex Shipman, Conor Spencer, Caroline Veldhuizen, Collin Waldron, Paige Waldron and Sarah Warner.
Scott Long and Hayden Carll are the stage managers for the production, assisted by Andrew Romanowski and Rachel Davis.
Others working behind the scenes are Rachel Ando, Andrea Carbone, Alanna Cenzi, Sam Cicero, Ben Consler, Emily D’Imperio, Dylan Davis, Shane Duris, Allie Freestone, Bryan Gascon, Tom Guinta, Parker Griffith, Chenoa Hawkins, Devin Horan, Emily Litolff, Lexi Losey, Kyra Nagele, Sophie Pratt, Lauren Sessler, Travis Shields, Brad Shull, Jin Si-Over, Olivia Taylor, Elisa Urso, Kaitlyn VanOrman, Andrew Vaughan, Kayla Vaughan, Jenna VanDewalker, Cameron Villone and Kaedynne Wilson.
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More upcoming school shows
A schedule of other upcoming high school productions:
March 14 to 16
- SEUSSICAL — 7 p.m. March 14 to 16 in the auditorium at Dansville Central School, 282 Main St., Dansville. Tickets, which cost $7.50, are available in all school offices and at the door.
- YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN — 7:30 p.m. March 14 to 16 in Franklin Auditorium at Livonia Senior High School, 2 Bulldog Blvd., Livonia. Tickets, which cost $12 ($7 for students and seniors), available at Livonia Central School Main Offices, West’s Shurfine, Lakeville-Livonia Pharmacy and at the door.
March 21 to 23
- SEUSSICAL — 7:30 p.m. March 21-23 and 2 p.m. March 23 at Honeoye Falls-Lima High School, 20 Church St., Honeoye Falls. Tickets, $10 for adults and $8 for children, are available at the box office and online at www.seatyourself.biz/hflcsd. The box office will be open 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursday. A special senior citizens’ luncheon matinee is scheduled for 1 p.m. March 20 at the Middle School, with the performance at 2 p.m. Tickets are $4 at the door. Enter through door 20 by the gym and cafeteria or door 10 by the district auditorium. Contact Alecia Barker in the Middle School Office at 624-7100 to RSVP by the afternoon of March 18.
March 22 to 23
- THE LITTLE PRINCE — 7:30 p.m. March 22 and 23 and 2 p.m. March 23 in McCarthy Auditorium at Geneseo Central School, 4050 Avon Rd. The set includes a large section of fuselage from a vintage airplane. Tickets, which cost $7 for adults and $5 for students and seniors, are available by calling 243-8088.
