In Conversation with Christian Cavallo | Young Frankenstein
In this week's Backstage Blog, we speak to director Christian Cavallo about Mel Brooks' YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, which opens at Theatre Works this week!
From the outrageous mind of Mel Brooks comes Young Frankenstein, the gloriously silly, lightning-powered musical comedy that celebrates everything wonderfully ridiculous about classic horror and big Broadway spectacle.
Q: Welcome to Theatre Works! How have rehearsals been going? How is everything shaping up?
Rehearsals are going hilariously well! It's a very physical show, intentionally silly and full of hi-jinks, parody and schtick – it's Mel Brooks! – so we're having a lot of fun exploring the material and laughing our way through explorations. It's also quite a technical show from the standpoint that the comedic timing has to be precise, so it's been quite nuanced and carefully crafted. Hopefully our audiences will enjoy a laugh-a-minute performance!
Q: For audiences unfamiliar with this wacky production, hit us with your best 'crash course' on what they can expect when they come to Young Frankenstein
The show is an unapologetically farcical and hilariously irreverent riff on the infamous Frankenstein story. It picks up two generations later with Frederick Frankenstien, the grandson of Victor Frankenstein, who has shunned the family name and legacy. He inherits the family estate and is called back to Transylvania where curiosity gets the better of him and he embarks on his own attempt to raise a monster. We’ve assembled an exceptionally talented cast and are working with a passionate team of creatives to bring the show to life!
Q: With such a stacked cast of Musical Theatre Extraordinaires assembled, what's it been like to see everyone play and riff on each other's work?
It's been incredible working with such a talented bunch! Everyone brings such wonderful offers to rehearsal, and it's a director's dream to have such a sense of play and collaboration as we build the show. This show really attracts a certain type of performer, and we were really lucky through auditions that all the right people came through for each role. We were really spoiled for choice, but we're all absolutely thrilled with the cast! We are really lucky to have some of the nicest and most talented people from all across Melbourne and beyond!
Q: What will surprise audiences about this work?
I think audiences will be surprised at how physical the show is. Also at the aesthetic and scale that we've managed to achieve... It might seem like we're a modest indie outfit, but we're creating something truly monstrous!
Q: What has been the most memorable moment in your process so far?
Mostly how much they're making me laugh. I won't name names, but a particular performer came in for rehearsal one early Sunday morning. They assumed that they were coming in for an easy park-and-bark (or stand-and-sing) blocking session. They may or may not have had a late night the night before. When they were asked to sing sideways and upside-down while being shaken and jolted around, they went fifty shades of red and protested they had no idea it was going to be so crazy... But the results were hilarious, and we're all quite thrilled with the moment! I also quite enjoyed our explorations around the ensemble characters' sordid backstories. It's all very gothic.
Young Frankenstein plays at Theatre Works 8 - 24 October.
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