'Young Frankenstein' Will Bring Monstrous Laughs to ECU's McGinnis Theatre | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: The author of this post, Bre Lewis, is a contributor to ECU News Services.

    Laughs are in store when "Young Frankenstein" opens Nov. 16 in East Carolina University's McGinnis Theatre. This musical comedy adaptation of Mel Brooks' film is sure to bring in a crowd.

    ECU student and assistant director Casey Scarboro said the production is about the last living member of the Frankenstein family, Frederick, who moves to Transylvania to take over the estate of his recently deceased grandfather, Victor.

    "Although Frederick has no intention of getting sucked into his family's business of creating monsters and becoming a mad scientist, he quickly realizes that fate has other plans for him," Scarboro said.

    Scarboro is a senior from Goldsboro double majoring in political science and theatre with a double concentration in musical theatre and professional acting.


ECU students rehearse for the first performance of “Young Frankenstein,” which opens Nov. 16. (Photos by Cliff Hollis, ECU News Services)
    "I believe the audience will be rolling from laughter throughout the majority of this production. Although the script alone is enough to keep an audience member in stitches, Bryan Conger, our guest director, has truly gone above and beyond to hit every comedic acting moment possible," Scarboro said.

    Senior Donald Sutton plays the character of Igor, the assistant to Dr. Frederick Frankenstein. Sutton is majoring in theatre with a double concentration in musical theatre and professional acting.

    "Igor is this blatant mockery of all of the cliché, classic sidekicks," Sutton said. "He's one of the many characters in this show that just lets you relax and have a laugh."

    After graduation, Sutton hopes to perform in theme parks and cruise ships, save up and head to either New York City or London.

    "This show is so funny I can't help but laugh at everything, even my own lines," said junior Madeline Whallen who plays the character of Frau Blucher, the housekeeper of the estate. "What interested me in this role was honestly how crazy Frau Blucher is. I've never played a kind of role like this before and she is crazy."


ECU students star in a musical comedy adaptation of Mel Brooks’ film.
    Whallen is from Cary and is majoring in theatre with a double concentration in musical theatre and professional acting.

    "This is one of those shows that simply never gets old," Scarboro said.

    Performances will be held in McGinnis Theatre at 8 p.m. Nov. 16-18, 2 p.m. Nov. 19, and 8 p.m. Nov. 20 and 21. Tickets are $17.50 for the general public and $10 for ECU students and youth. Call 252-328-6829, email theatre@ecu.edu or visit www.ecu.edu/cs-cfac/theatredance/Playhouse.cfm for more information.