‘Young Frankenstein’ a glitzy, comic delight

OAKBROOK TERRACE – In the world of madcap comedies, few can match the hilarity generated by “Young Frankenstein,” the monster spoof based on the 1974 Mel Brooks-Gene Wilder hit film of the same name.

The stage version of this timeless musical comedy is now bringing down the house at Drury Lane Theatre. Directed by William Osetek with choreography by Tammy Mader and music direction by Roberta Duchak, the production is just the ticket as a distraction from the frightful winter weather.

The calculated zaniness is fully realized by the production’s large, seasoned cast that never misses the mark, whether it’s with double entendres, sight gags or other shenanigans.

Frederick Frankenstein (Devin DeSantis), a scientist and dean of anatomy at a university in New York, finds himself in Transylvania, where he has inherited the castle of his late grandfather, the mad scientist Dr. Victor von Frankenstein (Jeff Parker).

In short order, Frederick decides to carry on experiments begun by his grandfather in reanimation of the dead. He is joined by the mysterious Frau Blucher (Paula Scrofano, a comic delight); Igor (Jeff Dumas), a hunchback whose hump keeps shifting sides; and the naive Inga (Allison Sill), a buxom young woman who becomes his lab assistant.

Of course, things go awry when the creature Frederick creates proves too much to handle and escapes to pursue unlikely adventures of his own involving a hapless blind hermit and Frederick’s love-starved fiance Elizabeth (Johanna McKenzie Miller).

Travis Taylor, super-tall, dark, handsome – and green, makes a hilarious monster. He steals the scene when presented in formal wear at the Loews Transylvania Theatre, initially walking awkwardly on command and then smoothly tap-dancing to Irving Berlin’s “Puttin’ on the Ritz.”

Other uproarious scenes involve DeSantis and Miller (“Please Don’t Touch Me”) as they part company in Act I; and DeSantis and Sill getting acquainted on a bumpy wagon ride (“A Roll in the Hay”) and, later, in a candle-bookcase sequence as they discover the entryway to Frankenstein’s hidden lab.

Scott Calcagno as the officious Inspector Kemp (“He’s Loose”) and the Transylvania Quartet: Skyler Adams, Gary Carlson, Sean Effinger-Dean and Jeff Max inspire further laughter.