Show History

History

Inspiration

The musical, Young Frankenstein, with songs by Mel Brooks and book by Thomas Meehan, is an adaptation of Brooks' film of the same name. Young Frankenstein is a 1974 parody of classic horror films, such as Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and Son of Frankenstein. Written by Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder, and directed by Brooks, it became a critical favorite and box office smash. The Frankenstein films are inspired by Shelley's classic novel about an Eastern European scientist who uses dark methods to animate a monster.

Productions

Six years after the success of The Producers, Mel Brooks developed Young Frankenstein for the stage.

  After tryouts in Seattle, Washington, and four weeks of previews, Young Frankenstein opened on Broadway at the Foxwoods Theatre on November 8, 2007. Directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman, it starred Roger Bart, Megan Mullally, Christopher Fitzgerald, Sutton Foster, Andrea Martin, Shuler Hensley and Fred Applegate.

Young Frankenstein, although well-received with audiences and award nominations, only ran for 29 previews and 485 performances. 

Young Frankenstein began a national tour on September 29, 2009, in Providence, RI.

Cultural Influence

  • Mel Brooks describes Young Frankenstein as his best film.