Entertainment :: Theatre
Frankenstein comes alive with Hypocrites’ retelling by Joseph Erbentraut
EDGE ContributorThursday Oct 22, 2009
Nearly two centuries have passed since the story of Dr. Victor Frankenstein was first published, anonymously, by author Mary Shelley in 1818. Since then, the tale of the mad scientist’s attempt at perfection gone wrong has been appropriated by countless directors and artists, rendering the modern Prometheus a ubiquitous icon of the horror genre.
The latest variation on the classic comes from Sean Graney, artistic director and founder of the Hypocrites Theater Company, via a new production opening this week at the Museum of Contemporary Art. The show is a true amalgamation, as Graney, one of the city’s most sought-after directors, has drawn from the 1931 film while flavoring his retelling of the spooky classic with a variety of unusual sources.
Graney’s array of inspirations, ranging from Greek myth to German legend, are further invigorated by his signature staging techniques, most notably his use of "promenade" style - placing the audience in the heat of the action stage. The show is one of the city’s hot Halloween-centric tickets, having already sold out its first four performances.
EDGE recently had a chance to check in with Graney for more insight into the arguably homoerotic, undeniably creepy tale-brought-to-stage.
Scary and scared
EDGE: You’re about to open Frankenstein. How are you feeling about the show?
Sean Graney: Well, we are in the middle of a very short tech process for this show. So right now, my major feeling toward the show is befitting of the theme: Frightened.
EDGE: This is another of your promenade shows. Was that always the style that you had in mind for this adaptation? What do you find to be appealing about it?
SG: I was imaging promenade for this adaptation. I was really excited to try and make a theatrical experience that could capture the terrifying aspect of parts of the novel. I thought that being in the middle of the action would add to the audience’s experience.
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