‘Young Frankenstein’ stirs up giant sized laughs

By Shari Goldstein Stern

Parker Gray has proven himself to be one of the most talented actors in Dallas area theater. If you were wise enough to have seen Gray in Nicole Neely’s “Stede Bonnet: A F*ucking Pirate Musical” at Theatre Three (T3), then you will remember what a brilliant comedic actor he is. Uninhibited, high energy, thoroughly in synch with the ensemble cast, engaging with the audience, Gray owned the quirky pirate.  

Now wise audiences can again enjoy the gusto Gray brings to another  unconventional character in “Young Frankenstein,” now playing at Theatre Three through November 13. Once again, Gray’s over-the-top portrayal of Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, who reminds patrons incessantly, “That’s pronounced ‘Frahn-ken-shteen’” had the audience wiping tears from their messy laughter. 

If you are a fan of Mel Brooks’ 1974 film, “Young Frankenstein,” it’s impossible to avoid comparisons. How could we forget the late Gene Wilder’s rubber-face expressions as the outrageous scientist in the film? For the musical, Brooks also wrote the music and lyrics, putting Cloris Leachman’s unforgettable line in the film, “He vas my Boyfriend” to music. It was a lilting tune performed cleverly by the ensemble.

In the film Leachman was adept as the hyper-weird Frau Blucher, whose name drew inexplicable whinnies from stable horses. Sarah Gay plays the role in her T3 debut and is a full-out riot. Also over-the-top, Gay is made for the part and receives her whinnies at the sound of her name. Her consistent reaction to that is priceless. Gay is uninhibited and believable in the difficult, albeit fun, role.

Playing Inga, Annie Olive Cahill is as feisty and dumb as called for in the role. Her continuing “rolling in the hay” with fully exposed, albeit clothed, crotch became annoying after a while. A couple of “rolls” may have been cute, but the constant view became too much.

Now Marty Feldman as Igor in the film version would be a hard act for anyone to follow. First, no one has creepier, bulging eyes than the brilliant, hump backed lab assistant. But Alejandro Saucedo, with his adorable baby face, is priceless with his constantly changing hump from side-to-side, up-and-down. 

Music Director Cody Dry and Costume Designer Natalie Rose Mabry must have had fun putting together the unforgettable “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” Irving Berlin’s posthumous gift to the movie. While the costumes, especially the monster’s, are sparkly and over-the-top, Peter Boyle’s brilliance as the scientist’s creation in the movie is too hard to accomplish by anyone else. While entertaining, Luke Longacre’s performance didn’t scare this writer.

“Young Frankenstein,” runs through Nov. 13 at T3’s new digs in the same location at the Quadrangle, with a different address only. If you haven’t been back to T3 since its renovation, know that the warm, cozy lobby has been replaced by stark white and chrome. The good news: Two bathrooms off the lobby are accessible at street level. Once inside the theatre itself, it’s comfortably familiar. 

For tickets, reach [email protected]