The Gay Bride of Frankenstein Opens at NYMF

Ashley Kate Adams and Emma Hunton - Photo courtesy of Brett Mallard

Gay Bride of Frankenstein opened this past Monday, September 27th, at the New York Musical Festival (NYMF).  The show has an interesting and fun storyline, catchy music that you will be singing for the rest of the night, and a strong cast.  Watching Monday night's show, one would have thought this troupe has been together for quite awhile as they played their parts with great ease and skill.

The conceptual staging of the play incorporates a comic book background displayed on screen behind the actors.  This brings about a unique dimension that helps tell the story and create imact at just the right times.  The screen also allows the band to be seen at moments that add to the storyline as well. 

The storyline can be intense at times.  A lovely young girl is killed in the show.  But the sadness of the death is replaced by a chance at a new life and a love that comes very unexpectly.  So there are underlying themes of love choices, life choices, and evil that play out but they are presented with just enough humor so that the show does not become dark.  

A strong cast does a marvelous job of making the whole story believable.  Emma Hunton shines as young Edna who realizes she loves her best friend, but may never have her in the way she wants.  Ms. Hunton's singing was strong and passionate on songs so necessary to plot development.   Ashley Kate Adams plays Chloe with an innocence and sincere love for her friend Edna.  So when she becomes Liza, it is very easy to accept that the love between her and Edna is the key thing that she needs in order to live in her new, very awkward shell of a body.

Jonathan B. Wright (Tad), cleverly played the part with has just enough 'male on the prowl' attitude to allow the audience to enjoy watching him getting taken by the female vampire inspired love provider.  Dana Aber plays Daphne and the vampiress with great spirit and just the right amount of force.  The fifth teenager, Hairy, is played by Christopher Hudson Myers.  Mr. Myers is the right blend of a friend but understanding brother to Chloe as he seeks to help her understand things going on.  His song about Hanna was an audience favorite.

Jeremiah James plays Mr. Weatherspoon/Dr. Shocker.  His Mr. Weatherspoon is 360 degrees different from who he really turns out to be.  The reality of the character is a true shocker as it becomes more apparent.  Mr. James' scene with Chloe/Liza in the laboratory is well portrayed through his singing and the poignant dance he does with his creation.

Rounding out the cast are Darryl Winslow as Janitor/Nurse/MC/Simowitz.  Mr. Winslow has a comical way about him that breaks the audience up at just the right moments and in just the right amounts.  Wolfman was played by Christian D. White with a fierceness that adds to the Halloween theme, but also allows the audience not to be too scared, and enjoy the character as well.

No review of this show is complete without a mention of the band who actually have a part in the show.  Known as the Monster Makers, they were sensational on Monday night as they got the show rocking and rolling.  Tim McCoy plays bass, Jamie Perkins is on drums, Jon McCormack is on guitar, and the writer of the music and lyrics, Billy Butler, plays keys and does vocals.

This show is a good example of fine work that is being discovered and presented to audiences through the NYMF.  There are a few days left to see it.  Go to Gay Bride's page on the NYMF website for information and to buy tickets.