Tulsa to Transylvania: TCC Presents “Young Frankenstein"

A Tulsa stage is transformed into Transylvania as Tulsa Community College presents the Broadway musical “Young Frankenstein.” Written by Mel Brooks and based on the 1974 comedy film with the same name, “Young Frankenstein” opened on Broadway in 2007.

The TCC production features the original Broadway set that was then adapted for the national touring company. The musical has more than 25 different scenes and locations and a great deal of special effects and features built into the set as the humorous story unfolds about Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced "Fronk-en-steen"), the grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, inherits his family's estate in Transylvania. With the help of a hunchbacked side-kick, Igor (pronounced "Eye-gore"), and a leggy lab assistant, Inga (pronounced normally), Frederick finds himself in the mad scientist shoes of his ancestors. This musical has the panache of the screen sensation with a little extra theatrical flair from the comedic mind of Mel Brooks.

“Our goal is to provide an education and experience in the TCC Theatre Department that bridges what they do at college with what they will do as a professional in the industry,” said TCC Theatre Coordinator and “Young Frankenstein” Director Mark Frank. “This is a terrific opportunity for TCC students to work with the same set pieces that were part of the multi-million dollar Broadway production.”

“Young Frankenstein” is a large-scale musical with sets, cast and crew. It features a cast of more than 40 TCC students. Auditions and casting took place during the fall 2014 semester with rehearsals beginning in December. The crew overseeing the show involves nearly 40 TCC students working side-by-side with TCC staff. The wardrobe department has designed and created more than 500 costumes for the production. One of the challenges is to make the monster in “Young Frankenstein” tall and green. The young actor will be wearing seven inch platform shoes and a costume similar to what Elphaba wore in “Wicked” to help turn him green. In addition, Tulsa Opera’s Wig and Makeup Designer Ruth Mitchell is designing the wigs and makeup.

“Young Frankenstein” promises to have lots of laughs. However, it is recommended for mature audiences due to the content. Strobe lights and dry ice will be used during the production.

Performances are 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27, Feb. 28, March 5, March 6 and March 7. Matinees are 2 p.m. on March 1 and March 8 at the TCC Southeast Campus VanTrease Performing Arts Center for Education (PACE) at highway 169 and 81st Street.

Tickets are $6 for TCC students and TCC faculty/staff, $10 for students and senior citizens, and $15 for adults. Tickets can be purchased at the TCC VanTrease PACE Box Office in person or by calling (918) 595-7777 or at www.myticketoffice.com.