‘Young Frankenstein’ opens at PM&L

ANTIOCH – Mel Brooks’s musical “Young Frankenstein” with book by Brooks and Thomas Meehan, music and lyrics by Brooks, is now playing at PM&L Theatre, 877 Main St., Antioch, and will run through Aug. 13.

“Young Frankenstein” is directed by Deane Jones, whose recent PM&L directing credits include “Boeing, Boeing” and “The Music Man.”

In Brooks’ adaptation of this legendarily funny film into a brilliant stage creation, the grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced “Fronk-en-steen,” played by Wesley Skym) inherits his family’s estate in Transylvania. With the help of a hunchbacked sidekick, Igor (pronounced Eye-gore, played by Dean J. Griffiths), and a leggy lab assistant, Inga (played by Karah Janssen), Frederick finds himself in the mad scientist shoes of his ancestors. “It’s alive!” he exclaims as he brings to life a creature (John Haderlein) to rival his grandfather’s. Eventually, of course, the monster escapes and hilarity abounds.

"Young Frankenstein!" will run at 8 p.m. Aug. 4, 5, 11 and 12; and 2:30 p.m. Aug. 5, 6 and 13. Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors and students and are available at www.pmltheatre.com or may be reserved through the box office at 847-395-3055.

Auditions for PM&L Theatre’s next show, “Almost, Maine,” written by John Cariani and directed by Mark Audrain, will be Aug. 21 and 22 at the theater. Auditioners are asked to arrive a few minutes before 7 p.m. to fill out an audition form and are encouraged to prepare a monologue. They also will be cold-reading from the script or reading a monologue at the auditions. All roles are available, and all ages and types are welcome.

“Almost, Maine” is made up of nine short plays that explore discovery and loss in a mythical small town comprised of people falling in and out of love. The show will run weekends from Oct. 20 through Nov. 5.

For information, go to www.pmltheatre.com.