Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein
From the comedic genius of Mel Brooks' comes Young Frankenstein, a monstrously funny musical adaptation of the beloved film that brings iconic comedy roaring to life on stage.
When the reluctant grandson of Victor Frankenstein inherits his family’s mysterious estate, he soon finds himself drawn into a series of outrageous experiments. What follows is a brilliantly absurd journey filled with unforgettable characters, unexpected turns, and a creature that is anything but ordinary.
Packed with show-stopping numbers like “The Transylvania Mania,” “He Vas My Boyfriend,” and the show’s showpiece, “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” this electrifying production blends sharp wit with big Broadway spectacle.
With its signature mix of humor, heart, and theatrical magic, Young Frankenstein is a high-energy celebration of classic comedy that continues to delight audiences.
Mel Brooks
This past June infamous American film and television director, producer, writer, and actor turned 100 years old, and the impact of his work will be remembered for many years to come. Mel Brooks rose to fame in the late 1940s as a performer and writer in the television series Your Show of Shows. In 1967 Brooks made his directorial debut with Academy Award winning film The Producers, which did not have major success at the box office, but later became a “cult favorite”. (1) In the 70s, he directed 5 films, including Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, Silent Movie, and more. In the 80s he directed History of the World: Part I and Spaceballs. In the 90s he directed his final three making Dracula: Dead and Loving It, his last film. (2)
Though Mel Brooks has not produced a film since 1995, he continues to influence the entertainment industry today. In 2005 Susan Stroman directed a remake of The Producers integrating a musical element. In 2007, Young Frankenstein: The Musical debuted on Broadway and closed in 2009 after 485 performances. It then continued with a U.S. tour till 2011. Since then, this production has run occasional throughout regional theaters across the United States and will now be showcased at the Lewis Family Playhouse in Rancho Cucamonga on October 16-25.
Inland Valley Repertory Theatre
For the last 36 years Inland Valley Repertory Theatre (also known as IVRT) has been a key role in the San Gabriel Valley and Inland Valley communities. They are dedicated to enriching, educating, entertaining, and employing people by offering high-quality productions. Being the creative outlet for children, adults, and senior community members, the community has been able to foster love and knowledge about performing arts by presenting both classical and contemporary theatrical works.
IVRT was founded by Frank and Donna Marie Minano in 1990. "In their first seven years of operation IVRT produced 29 shows involving hundreds of cast members of all ages."(4) After a strong 7-year run IVRT took a hiatus till 2007. In 2007 a campaign was run and generated $26,000 in seed money and IVRT was back!
IVRT approached the Candlelight Pavilion in Claremont in hopes of finding a permanent home. They created a unique marketing idea to perform midweek runs of plays on the Candlelight stage; this concept was called “Wednesdays Just Got Dramatic”. The Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theater closed in 2022, but they continue to co-produce shows with the Inland Pacific Ballet.
More information can be found at www.ivrt.org
Content Advisory
This performance includes old school comedic innuendo typical of the works of Mel Brooks. While not inherently explicit, humor can lean into suggestive wordplay not suitable for all ages. Patron discretion is advised. If you have any questions about this performance, please don't hesitate to contact the Box Office. We're happy to provide additional information to help you determine whether the show is right for you.
Credits
Book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan
Music and Lyrics by Mel Brooks
Original Direction & Choreography by Susan Stroman
Young Frankenstein is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
423 West 55th Street, New York, NY 10019
(#p) 212-541-4684
(#f) 212-397-4687
www.MTIShows.com
Purchase with Confidence
Purchase with confidence. Tickets for all Lewis Family Playhouse performances are available only through the Lewis Family Playhouse Box Office or our official website. We cannot guarantee the validity of tickets purchased through third-party sellers, and prices from unauthorized websites may be significantly higher than face value.
Works Cited
1. Harold L. Erickson, Michael Barson, The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. Mel Brooks. Britannica. [Online] September 19, 2026. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mel-Brooks.
2. All Mel Brooks movies. IMDb. [Online] 2015. https://www.imdb.com/list/ls076841987/.
3. IVRT, Inland Valley Repertory Theatre. Our History. IVRT.org. [Online] https://www.ivrt.org/history.
4. Our History. IVRT. [Online] Inland Valley Repertory Theatre. [Cited: September 23, 2026.] https://www.ivrt.org/history.
