Audtions being held for Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein

| 06 May 2014 | 01:50

    The Growing Stage, The Children’s Theatre of New Jersey, located in the historic Palace Theatre on Route 183 in Netcong will hold auditions for its Studio Series Summer Musical production of The New Mel Brooks Musical "Young Frankenstein" on Monday, May 19 at 7 p.m.

    All auditioning should have a song prepared with printed accompaniment that is no longer than 16 measures and expect to learn a dance piece led by the director/choreographer; some may be asked to read from the script.

    The New Mel Brooks Musical "Young Frankenstein" runs July 19 through Aug. 3, Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 4 p.m. The production is under the direction/choreography of Emily Cara Portune, a TGS Veteran Performer and Musical Direction by Melinda Bass O’Neill, a TGS Teaching Artist and Veteran Performer.

    This production is open to High School students who have completed their freshmen year and college aged students only.

    The New Mel Brooks Musical "Young Frankenstein" features a book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan and Music & Lyrics by Mel Brooks.

    The story follows the grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced "Fronk-en-steen") who inherits his family's estate in Transylvania. With the help of a hunchbacked side-kick, Igor (pronounced "Eye-gore"), and a lab assistant, Inga (pronounced normally), Frederick finds himself in the mad scientist shoes of his ancestors.

    "It's alive!" he exclaims as he brings to life a creature to rival his grandfather's. Eventually, of course, the monster escapes and hilarity continuously abounds.

    The Growing Stage (TGS) established the Studio Presentation Series in 2009, part of an expansion of its educational programming. Aimed at engaging children of all ages during the school year and older teens during the summer, the Studio Series gives older students the opportunity to work in a process-oriented environment and develop their performance skills by taking part in both classic tales and new, experimental works under the guidance of both established and emerging professional directors.

    The benefits of the Studio Series both to participants and to TGS have been significant: students have incurred no cost to participate in what is essentially an extended master class experience; TGS has provided its patrons with fresh, new programming.

    Rehearsal schedules are generally two or three evenings during the week, and a weekend afternoon. All cast members are expected for all performances without exception since the company does not cast understudies. Performers of color and performers with disabilities are encouraged to audition.

    For additional information, e-mail exdir@growingstage.com or call 973-347-4946.