By Merle Exit
After Royal Star Theatre produced the dramatic musical, “Little Women,” in the spring, they wanted to switch gears and do a lighthearted musical comedy for the fall. There were several options under consideration, but the choice was an easy one to make.
“Since our fall production goes up during Halloween week, what is a better show to do than Young Frankenstein,” said Maryellen Pierce of the Mel Brooks production.
Pierce, the director of Young Frankenstein and Royal Star Theatre’s director of artistic development, directed her first production back in 2015, which was a Musical Revue. It is now 2017 and she had not yet directed a full-length musical for the group that she helped start.
“I like directing musicals, but love directing musical comedies with lots of dancing. It was a perfect match,” Pierce said.
After Pierce signed on to direct, it was time to pick the rest of the creative team and cast. Pierce said she is happy to be working again with Paul L. Johnson for musical direction and her co-choreographer, Amanda Montoni.
After auditioning 43 people, the creative team picked a cast of 25 that ranges in age from early 20s to early 70s.
Leading the cast in the part of Frederick Frankenstein is Gio Marine, who Pierce said not only has a good voice, but great facial expressions and good comic timing.
Pierce had nothing but praise to offer the rest of the cast.
“Playing his mad-cap fiancée is a wonderful musical comedy performer and veteran of community theater, Amanda Doria. Stephanie Sands (Inga) won me over at auditions with her singing and dancing,” Pierce said.
“The part of Frau Blucher is being played by Donna Falzon, who not only makes you laugh and frighten you, but blow your wig off with her voice. One of the newcomers to the group is Michael Park who is an impish delight as a song and dance man, Igor (pronounced Eye-gor). The creature or monster is in real life the gentle giant, Joe Marchione. Joe not only grunts in the show, but sings, too.”
Pierce said that not only is she happy to direct this show, but to work with so many talented people.
“It was no problem casting not just the leads, but all of the supporting roles, as well,” she said.
For tickets and more information call (718) 428-8681
