When the musical “Young Frankenstein” opened at the Paramount, it was a foregone conclusion that we go because the movie “Young Frankenstein" is my all time favorite film. We went this past Friday night and by intermission I was feeling disappointed. Musical numbers went on too long; locker-room jokes were belabored and far from clever.  It just wasn’t the rollicking fun ride I expected. However I might be the only “Young Frankenstein” fan who thought so. The audience was so enamored with the original characters and material that they went crazy with whoops and laughter – even at times for the mere act of a performer walking onto the stage.

I think these audience members were able to do something that I couldn’t. They transposed Gene Wilder and Teri Garr’s original performances on top of the less talented comedic actors in front of us. The actors who played Igor and Frau Blucher embodied the original characters very well but the doctor and Inga made me wish that I was at home watching my DVD. I wouldn’t have minded if the characters had deviated a great deal from the ones in the film but these close but no cigar performances were simply frustrating.

The show really picked up and redeemed itself in the second act. The much anticipated “Putting on the Ritz” number was the absolute highlight of the show. It was an extended version of the original with over the top, funny choreography that was absolutely delightful.  The quintessential Brooks’ make ‘em groan puns were reined in during the second half of the show and even the sexual innuendos seemed more subtle and consequently funnier.  In the end I enjoyed the show and was glad to have gone. I hope that there are plans to tighten up the first act to do justice to a very entertaining classic film.

“If you're blue
and you don't know
where to go to
why don't you go
where fashion sits...
PUUUDM OM DA REETZ…!”