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A CurtainUp Review
Frankenstein


A man is not a plaster wall waiting to be patched.
Robert Ross Parker and Richard Crawford
R. R. Parker and R. Crawford (Photo: David Gochfeld)


The Flying Machine returns to Soho Rep with its adaptation of another novel, Mary Shelley's classic horror tale. Two years ago, I reviewed and liked its adaptation of a less well-known work, Signals of Distress (review linked below). But do not make too much of your greater familiarity with Frankenstein: the story Joshua Carlebach and his colleagues fashion in this adaptation is only recognizable at the margins. The focus here is on the creator far more than the created -- in a sort of romantic morality/fairy tale that also manages to channel Dostoyevsky while suggesting Dickens.

We first meet Victor Frankenstein as a young boy (Tami Stronach), when his mother (Carine Montbertrand) sets in motion the inquisitive mind that will concoct the monster that Boris Karloff made famous. After that introduction, we fast-forward to Victor at college (Robert Ross Parker), by which time he is experimenting on toads. Contrary to the admonitions of his professor (Jason Lindner), Victor subverts the natural order, reëngineering the animal so that its chances of survival are enhanced. The trouble comes to the forefront when, having accidentally caused the death of a neer-do-well, Gershon (Richard Crawford), he applies his toad techniques to return the man to life, with the well-known consequences.

There is much to commend here, chief among the assets being a take that does not jettison the "horrors" but finds its own means of expressing them. Like Signals, it is a thoughtful piece that asks us to consider the issues and pathologies brought on by the story. At times it seems to reach for parallels it doesn't quite establish but on balance it feels like time well spent.

The cast is quite excellent, both in substance and particularly in tone. Both Crawford's monster and Parker's maker are especially impressive for their curiosity and detail.

The design team has provided a significant contribution to the overall effect as well. Marisa Frantz designed a set consisting largely of old windows and panels that revolve on dual axes and often themselves. It not only defines the period in which the production is set (abetted by James Weideman's lights and Theresa Squires' costumes) but also underscores the "puzzle box" theme which is at the heart of this adaptation. The music of Jacob Lawson and the overall sound design of Jeff Lorenz is both atmospheric and well-considered.

LINK
Signals of Distress

Frankenstein
by Mary Shelley, adapted by Joshua Carlebach with additional text by Jason Lindner
Created and performed by The Flying Machine
Directed by Mr. Carlebach
with Damian Baldet, Richard Crawford, Adrienne Kapstein, Joshua Koehn, Jason Lindner, Carine Montbertrand, Robert Ross Parker and Tami Stronach
Set Design: Marisa Frantz
Costume Design: Theresa Squire
Lighting Design: James Japhy Weideman
Sound Design: Jeff Lorenz
Composer: Jacob Lawson
Running time: 1 hour, 20 minutes with no intermission
Soho Rep, 46 Walker Street (Church/Broadway)
Telephone (212) 868-4444
Opening December 11, 2004, closes January 8, 2005--extended to 1/16/05
TUES - SAT @7:30; no performances 12/14, 12/21-25 or 1/1; $15
Reviewed by Les Gutman based on 12/11/04 performance
Broadway Musicals: The 101 Greatest Shows of All Time
Easy-on-the budget super gift for yourself and your musical loving friends. Tons of gorgeous pictures.


Tales From Shakespeare
Retold by Tina Packer of Shakespeare & Co.
Click image to buy.
Our Review


At This Theater Cover
At This Theater


Leonard Maltin's 2005 Movie Guide
Leonard Maltin's 2005 Movie Guide


Ridiculous! The Theatrical Life and Times of Charles Ludlam
Ridiculous!The Theatrical Life & Times of Charles Ludlam


metaphors dictionary cover
6, 500 Comparative Phrases including 800 Shakespearean Metaphors by CurtainUp's editor.
Click image to buy.
Go here for details and larger image.



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©Copyright 2004, Elyse Sommer, CurtainUp.
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