Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant soundtrack to the funniest movie of all time, 10 Feb 2003
This brilliant selection brings the movie to life in one's mind. My favourite tracks include "Train Ride To Transylvania" with that immortal line "Pardon me boy, is this the Transylvania station?", Puttin' On The Ritz, Frau Blucher, He Was My... BOYFRIEND and of course Wedding Night (Oh Sweet Mystery of Life and Love/At last I've found you ...). A very funny soundtrack to the funniest movie of all time, one that has rightly become a cult classic.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Transylvania Mania, 7 Jul 2009
Officially known as The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein, this show parodies the horror film genre and is based on the original 1974 motion picture of the same name with story and screenplay by Gene Wilder and Mel Brooks. From the rumbling, dramatic opening chords which build into a good old fashioned Broadway overture, the listener knows there is a monster of a treat ahead. Not to give too much of the plot away to those who do not know it, the musical opens in Transylvania where the locals are celebrating the passing of Baron Frankenstein and his monstrous creations. However, one Frankenstein lives - a grandson, and a Professor of anatomy in New York. Can the townspeople ever be safe with a Frankenstein still roaming the earth... maybe not, but what are the chances of him coming to Transylvania? Enough said!
Roger Bart is wonderful in the leading role of Dr Frederick Frankenstein, who establishes himself very early on in the recording as a comedic force to be reckoned with. The dream cast however provide more than mere back-up. Perhaps best known as Will & Grace character Karen, Megan Mullally goes back to her musical theatre roots with a show-stopping performance as madcap fiancé Elizabeth, belting out the hilarious `Please Don't Touch Me', the long awaited Act Two re-appearance number `Surprise' (the introduction to Elizabeth's entourage is reminiscent of Roger de Bris introducing his creative team to Max and Leo in The Producers, also by Mel Brooks), but she really comes into her own with the love song `Deep Love', demonstrating she is not only an exceptional comedic actress, but has a powerhouse voice and lungs of steel. Christopher Fitzgerald as Igor is genius casting. His characterization in voice alone conjures a visual image of this lovable character, particularly during `Together Again', sung with Bart adding a bit of vaudeville to the proceedings. Sutton Foster as the doctor's assistant Inga, is sublime (following her successes with Thoroughly Modern Millie and The Drowsy Chaperone) with the hilarious romp ride `Roll in the Hay' and her beautiful rendition of `Listen to Your Heart'. Completing the main attractions is Andrea Martin as Frau Blucher - `He Vas My Boyfriend' is one of the comedy highlights of the recording. For me though, the essential track on this CD is `Putting on the Ritz', with music and lyrics by Irving Berlin. Hollywood glamour and razzamatazz galore, this number also gives Shuler Hensley as The Monster his moment of glory with hilarious interjections and some very funny scatting.
Written by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, this is an outstanding and very funny recording. It falls short of 5 stars as there are a few forgettable numbers. The show received mixed reviews when it opened, but this recording beautifully preserves the silly humour, rousing production numbers, moving ballads and Transylvania mania.
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~ Original Broadway Cast
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