This year marks the 200th anniversary of that dark and stormy night when Mary Shelley first imagined “the hideous phantasm of a man.” Frankenstein caught the public’s imagination almost immediately after it was published. The first stage adaptation was produced in 1823, only seven years after it’s publication. Since then countless stage and film versions, parodies, and modern interpretations have changed the associations we have with the Frankenstein name. Shelley’s novel offers a terrifying, cautionary tale about arrogance, and the boundaries of science and creation. This adaptation by Austin Tichenor attempts to be faithful to Shelley’s 19th century Gothic Romantic thriller while at the same time giving an audience a little bit more of what it expects from something called Frankenstein.
Lewis University’s Philip Lynch Theatre Manager Jo Slowik of Joliet is directing the stage adaptation of the fictional masterpiece. The title role of Dr. Victor Frankenstein is played by Zackary Abu-Shanab of Plainfield and the Creature is play by Sean Gallagher of Mokena. The ensemble cast includes: Elliot Bilus and Andy Wainscott both from Mokena, Bradford Bingham, Jennifer Glynn, Conrad Sipiora, and Jamie Lynn Voustros all from Chicago, Christy Carlson of Lockport, Kayla Carson of Burbank, Olivia Ferrari of Peru, Simon Merheb of Bartlett, Haley Marchewka of Loves Park, Michael Palermo of Westchester, Chris Pupik of Naperville, and Eric Redmon of Yorkville.
Working behind the scenes are Andrew Nelsen of Joliet (scenic and lighting design), Celeste Mackey of Joliet (costume design), Hannah Krause of Mazon (stage manager), Estefania Flores of Tinley Park (assistant stage manager), Jacob Rodriguez of Chicago (properties), Mike Nutter of LaGrange (light board operator), Brianna Knutsen of Plainfield (sound board operator), Brianna Richards of Tinley Park (creature and FX makeup design), Natalia Bednarczyk of Burbank (makeup application), Noah Slowik (dramaturgy) and Dave Pomatto of Naperville (assistant technical director).
Frankenstein runs from February 16-18 and February 22-25. It is recommended for patrons 13 years old and up. The evening performances are 8 p.m. and the Sunday matinees are 2:30 p.m. In addition, there is a matinee performance at 4 p.m. on February 24. Advanced tickets purchases are strongly encouraged. Ticket prices are $10 for an adult, $9 for students and seniors. Lewis students pay $2 with an ID. Group tickets are available for parties of 15 or more. Tickets are non-refundable. For more information patrons can check out the PLT Website at www.lewisu.edu/plt, or call the box office (815) 836-5500 Monday through Friday 1-4:30 p.m. The theatre is located on the main campus in the Oremus Fine Arts Center on Route 53, Romeoville.