‘Young Frankenstein – The Musical’ dinner theater comes to Eagle

Mel Brooks. You can’t say the name without smiling.

The Porchlight Players are presenting the comedy legend’s “Young Frankenstein – The Musical.” For a five-night run the Porchlight Players will be puttin’ on the Ritz at Eagle’s Brush Creek Pavilion.

YOU REMEMBER FRANK

You remember Young Frankenstein, and if you don’t, you spent entirely too much of your youth in homework study groups actually studying.

“Young Frankenstein – the Musical” is not your ordinary roll-in-the-hay love story, said Ann Olin, one of the Porchlight Players founding members.

“If you liked the original film version of ‘Young Frankenstein,’ you will recognize a lot of the jokes and double entendres in the musical version,” Olin said.

After the success of 2001’s “The Producers,” Brooks turn his comedic genius to the classic story.

In Brooks’ version starring the Gene Wilder, the story follows a descendant of the infamous Dr. Victor Frankenstein as he travels to Transylvania to oversee the sale of his grandfather’s estate. His relationships with his fiance, a shapely lab assistant, a somewhat odd sidekick, and of course, the monster he creates weave into a complicated and hilarious tale.

“Young Frankenstein – The Musical” ran on Broadway for 484 Broadway performances and a 2009 U.S. tour.

And now it’s here.

“The show is a classic Mel Brooks,” said Trish Schultheis, who has been with the Players for eight years.

She plays Elizabeth, Frederick’s fiance.

“It’s very campy, over-the-top characters, and very silly humor,” Schultheis said.

BEING A PLAYER

It’s the fifth straight year the Porchlight Players done a Valentine’s Day production.

“This is our five year anniversary of the February dinner theater, and I am proud to say that I have been involved and performed in each and every show, and every show has been a sellout,” Schultheis said.

The Porchlight Players have been bringing professional-caliber productions to western Eagle County for 10 years.

Thanks to yearly sell-out crowds, the Players have been able to bring 31 productions to the stage, including “Into the Woods,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” and “The Full Monty.”

“We have received such enthusiastic support from both town of Eagle and town of Gypsum to bring events like these to the community, and we look forward seeing everyone’s smiling faces when the curtains open,” Olin said.

Staff Writer Randy Wyrick can be reached at 970-748-2935 and rwyrick@vaildaily.com.