Last modified: Friday, April 13, 2012
Mel Brooks' monstrously hilarious 'Young Frankenstein' coming to IU Auditorium
WHAT: "Young Frankenstein"
WHEN: 8 p.m. Thursday, April 26, and Friday, April 27
WHERE: IU Auditorium, 1211 E. Seventh St. in Bloomington
TICKETS: $20 to $41 for IU Bloomington students with a valid ID and for children and $38 to $60 for the general public, on sale now. Individual tickets may be purchased online at IUauditorium.com, in person at the IU Auditorium Box Office, as well as through Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets, or charge by phone at 800-745-3000. The IU Auditorium Box Office is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 13, 2012
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Mel Brooks' classic movie "Young Frankenstein" comes to life as a monstrously hilarious musical at IU Auditorium, with performances at 8 p.m. April 26 and 27.
The brains behind the laughter belong to mad genius and three-time Tony winner Brooks. Brooks wrote the music and lyrics and co-wrote the book for the musical, based on his 1974 cult classic film by the same name, with the help of his record-breaking team from "The Producers": five-time Tony-winning director and choreographer Susan Stroman and three-time Tony-winning writer Thomas Meehan.
This wickedly inspired re-imagining of the Frankenstein legend takes place in Transylvania in 1934. The musical follows bright, young Dr. Frankenstein (pronounced "Fronk-en-steen") and his humpbacked helper, Igor (pronounced "Eye-gore"), as they attempt to bring to life a corpse -- but not without scary and hilarious complications. When the good doctor, Igor and luscious lab assistant Inga accidentally switch a well-functioning brain with an "Abby Normal" brain, mayhem and hilarity ensue as the clumsy and misunderstood monster terrorizes the village.
"'Young Frankenstein' showcases Mel Brooks' unique ability to find the comedic potential behind anything, including this previously frightening story of a mad scientist and his creature," IU Auditorium director Doug Booher said. "This musical will have our audiences roaring with laughter at the suggestive double entendres and hilariously ironic and impossible situations."
"Young Frankenstein" debuted in New York City's Foxwoods Theater (then the Hilton Theater) in 2007 and ran for 485 performances on Broadway. The U.S. tour began in 2009 at the Providence Performing Arts Center in Rhode Island. The musical won an Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, was nominated for three Tony Awards and won five Broadway.com Audience Awards.
The Bloomington audience will enjoy the popular songs that emphasize the cheekiness and comedic situations in the musical. "He Vas My Boyfriend" is the mysterious Frau Blücher's ode to the late Victor Frankenstein, and "Transylvania Mania," sung by Frederick and company, distracts the villagers from discovering the living, breathing monster.
'Brains Are Cool!'
Bloomington neuroscientist Jill Bolte Taylor, author of "My Stroke of Insight," will give a pre-show talk titled "Brains Are Cool!" from 7 to 7:30 p.m. April 26 in the School of Fine Arts Auditorium, Room 015.
When she suffered a stroke in 1996, her scientific background allowed her to process her brain functions shutting down one by one. It took her eight years to recover, but since then she has appeared on TED Talk and "The Oprah Winfrey Show," and was named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World for 2008.
Her nonprofit organization, BRAINS, will present an outdoor public art exhibit around Bloomington this summer to spread awareness and educate people on issues involving the brain. Three of the exhibit's large brain statues will make their debut at the front of IU Auditorium on the opening night of "Young Frankenstein."
For more information on "Young Frankenstein," visit IUauditorium.com. The website features video clips and a selection of songs from this season's performances, in addition to a direct link to the IU Auditorium Facebook page and Twitter feed, whose followers receive exclusive benefits throughout the year.
"Young Frankenstein" at IU Auditorium is sponsored by the IU Bookstore, Oliver Winery and Nature's Way. IU Auditorium's 2011-12 season is presented by Curry Auto Center, B97, The Herald-Times and IU Residential Programs and Services.
