Simply put, this is not your parents’ Frankenstein. It isn’t Mel Brooks’ Frankenstein either. This is a world premiere of a new telling of Mary Shelley’s story by four larks. Their Frankenstein officially opens on Wednesday at the Lovelace Studio Theatre at The Wallis in Beverly Hills. The show will run through March 7th.
If you aren’t familiar with four larks, this company is the mastermind of Mat Sweeney (director/composer) and Sebastian Peters-Lazaro (creative producer). Their mission is to merge art forms to create new ways of storytelling. They have produced site-specific works at such locations as the Getty Villas (Orpheus) and have collaborated with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra on their Sessions series of concerts that take place outside of normal performance spaces. And they don’t look or feel like traditional concerts.
The four larks website says of Frankenstein that it is based on “Mary Shelley’s novel and the 200 years that followed.” This play has been adapted by Sweeney, Jesse Rasmussen and Peters-Lazaro. It also includes other writings by Shelley with original lyrics by Rasmussen and Sweeney.
Much like some of John Doyle’s new productions of Stephen Sondheim’s musicals (Sweeney Todd, Company), the cast will also be playing instruments. That cast includes Matt Baumgarten, Lu Coy, Philip Graulty, Yvette Cornelia Holzwarth, Joanna Lynn-Jacobs, Kila Packett, Lukas Papenfusscline, Craig Piaget, James Vitz-Wong, Katherine Washington, James Waterman and Claire Woolner.
But don’t expect this to be a musical. The music has been developed by the ensemble with additional music by Ellen Warkentine.
This is going to be an inventive telling of Frankenstein that will also serve as food for thought as four larks presents a cautionary tale about how we use technology.
Like I said, this isn’t a traditional Frankenstein. That’s why I’m excited about seeing this show.
Frankenstein runs 75 minutes with no intermission. The production utilizes several strobe light effects, flashing lights, theatrical haze, and contains partial nudity.
For tickets go here.
Note: This post has been updated to reflect the one-week extension of the show through March 7th.
Photo: Kila Packett, Max Baumgarten and Claire Woolner in Frankenstein. (Photo by Kevin Parry/Courtesy of The Wallis)
