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Description
Young Frankenstein is a musical that opened on Broadway in 2007, and was originally directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman. The Mel Brooks' musical comedy is based on his 1974 film with the same name. Young Frankenstein was the second collaboration by Mel Brooks and Susan Stroman following their Broadway smash hit The Producers. In August 2013, Moonlight Stage Productions produced the musical Young Frankenstein and cast the actor as an ensemble member in the production. Matthew J. Vargo, Susan Stroman's assistant for Young Frankenstein and The Producers re-staged Stroman's original choreography. Researching the history of the musical and Susan Stroman's career was necessary to understand her specific directorial and choreographic style and background. As an ensemble member of the Moonlight Stage production, the actor was assigned seven different characters that required detailed character analysis. During the rehearsal process the actor was challenged by the director to create a broad range of characters, each with specific stories that always connected back to the main story plot. Performing in the ensemble of Young Frankenstein required physical and vocal demands for the actor as well. The experience of working with Matthew J. Vargo, Susan Stroman's assistant on the national Broadway tour, left the actor with a strong sense of this particular style of musical theatre. This actor gained valuable tools by learning rehearsal techniques unique to Susan Stroman's style. The actor now has the knowledge of how to perform Susan Stroman's choreography as well as the unique challenges that are required as an ensemble member in Young Frankenstein.
