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'Young Frankenstein' is a monster disaster

By Matt Windman | STAFF WRITER

6:12 PM EST, November 8, 2007

We won't even bother addressing whether "Young Frankenstein" is worth $450. This is a theatre review, not a financial report. But any way you look at it, "Young Frankenstein," Mel Brooks' highly anticipated Broadway musical sequel to "The Producers," is a grossly disappointing disaster.

"The Producers" changed Broadway. After two decades of Brit mega-musicals and Rodgers & Hammerstein revivals, "The Producers," a spoof of what goes into making a Broadway musical, brought back pure American musical comedy. Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick possessed real Broadway star power. Susan Stroman's staging recalled the brilliance of Gower Champion. Mel Brooks' new songs were incredibly funny. In short, everyone was happy.

So, what went wrong in "Young Frankenstein"?

1. Terrible theater: While "The Producers" was housed at the St. James, one of Broadway's best theaters, "Young Frankenstein" is at the Hilton, an awkward, oversized barn of a space.

2. Miscasting. Roger Bart is a funny guy, but he lacks the star power to carry the show as Frankenstein. The talents of Sutton Foster, as sexpot lab assistant Inga, and Megan Mullally, as fiancé Elizabeth, are totally wasted in supporting roles. But Shuler Hensley (the Monster), Andrea Martin (Frau Blucher) and Christopher Fitzgerald (Igor) are wonderful, providing unadulterated slapstick entertainment.

3. Bad songs. Nothing in the entire "Young Frankenstein" score compares with gems from "The Producers" like "The King of Old Broadway," "Springtime for Hitler," "I Want to Be a Producer" or "Keep It Gay."

4. Uninspired choreography. Nothing in "Young Frankenstein" demands dancing. Nevertheless, Susan Stroman has awkwardly inserted dance sequences like "Transylvania Mania" and an extended version of "Puttin' on the Ritz."

5. Flat jokes. For the most part, Brooks merely copies the film's dialogue. All his new stuff, unfortunately, is plain boring.

Of course, there are lush sets, costumes and orchestrations. And this is definitely better than the pale Off-Broadway musical "Frankenstein." Well, maybe the Broadway musical of "Blazing Saddles" will be better.

Hilton Theatre, 213 West 42nd St, $50-450. Tues 7pm, Wed 2 & 8pm, Thurs-Fri 8pm, Sat 2 & 8pm, Sun 3pm.