Johnny Gomez has been cast in the title role of Aloha Performing Arts Company’s next production, “Young Frankenstein,” the musical comedy by Mel Brooks. The show is based on the eponymous 1974 film. Gomez, last seen as Dr. Frankenfurter in “The Rocky Horror Show,” plays Frederick, the grandson of recently deceased Victor von Frankenstein, who created monsters for a living. The ghost of the elder Frankenstein is portrayed by Don Chinery.
Frederick is enticed into reactivating his grandfather’s laboratory by the hunchback servant Igor, played by Sam Valenti, and the beautiful, seductive Inga, portrayed by Sara Hagen. Tracey Fosso appears as Frederick’s madcap fiancee Elizabeth, Kelly Ann Miles as the mysterious housekeeper Frau Blucher, and Miguel Montez as the Monster. Inspector Kemp will be played by APAC newcomer Marc Shelman, the blind Hermit is played by John Holliday and Ziggy, the village idiot, is portrayed by Miles Lugo.
Rounding out the cast is the ubiquitous ensemble, which will play villagers, students, mad scientists and various other roles. Ensemble members are Simon Ellis, Aaron Getzinger, John Hulen, Bryden Jones, Victor Pisauro, Michael Richards, Saffy Datta, Nora Frank, Yoshimi Jenkins, Hannah Kimmel, Robin O’Hara and Sarah Rouse.
“Young Frankenstein” will be presented Oct. 4 through 27 at the Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu, with Friday and Saturday performances at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. Jerry Tracy is directing, with musical direction by Dale Ross, vocal direction by Francine Alexander and choreography by Lance Oliver. Designers include Gerald Lucena, set; Bob Gage, lighting; Carol Conner, costumes; Pamela Hicks, props; Peter Schonberg, sound; and Yoshimi Jenkins, Raisa Klyne, Elizabeth Sharma and Cathy Riehle, hair and makeup. Tiffany Kutsunai is assistant director, Kerry Matsumoto is stage manager, Nora Frank is dance captain, Don Chinery is public relations director and Peter Schonberg and Ken Ross are the producers. Schonberg is also a production sponsor, along with the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, West Hawaii Today and Len and Sue Welter. Tickets are $20, $17 and $10 and available online at alohatheatre.com, by phone between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays and at the box office beginning one hour prior to performance.
For tickets or more information, call 322-9924.
