[rating=3] For those of you familiar with Oil Lamp Theater in Glenview, you know the stage is narrow and the theater itself is intimate with 60 seats. When they announced they were going to do a new adaptation of Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” I was concerned as to how they could pull that off. Again, this is a storefront in downtown Glenview with no curtain and a very limited stage. The director, Elizabeth Lovelady has a lot of guts and took the challenge on. While the show is not perfect, it is a wonderful piece of entertainment and knowing the heart and souls of the actors, as the run continues they will improve some of the tech problems that exist in a play with lots of scene changes on a small stage.The adaptation by Vincent S. Hannam we see the story of the gifted scientists, Victor Frankenstein ( Jake Busse is strong but has far too much eye makeup on) who created the Monster ( this version has a puppet as the Monster that is controlled by Laura Resinger). Ms Resinger is solid as a puppeteer and uses her voice to capture the growth of the character, who we see go from grunt to reading and quotes. The “monster” may be more human than some of the humans- at least he is more humane.
It is the world and Victor himself who reject this creature that has been brought back from the dead. During the course of his learning, he himself ( yes he does have feelings) falls in love with Emily ( Emily Robinson-Dykstra, who also plays the ship’s captain) daughter of the blind Delaccy (Robert Dean who also plays Victor’s father) the man who brings out the feelings and heart of the monster. Several roles are played by some of the actors- both on ship and in the flashbacks into Victor’s life and love. His true love is Elizabeth ( deftly handled by Stephanie Fongheiser, who also plays Rivera, first mate on the ship).
To make it less confusing. The play begins with us on a ship. Victor is in search of the monster and with flashbacks we learn just how we got there. I have named all the performers in this 6 actor cast with the exception of Johnny Garcia who plays the Inspector. It is his character that changes the course of the Monster’s life. In most “Frankenstein” adaptations we feel something for the monster, but I must tell you in this one, even more than usual. He does learn! He does communicate! He does love! Maybe Victor was on the right track after all.
As I said at the onset of this review, the show is one that is a major undertaking for a small theater company, but I truly feel that Oil Lamp and its people will get it done. They need to work on the tech aspects for the scene changes and once they get the timing down, the show will be a smoother, well oiled production. I was impressed with the costumes (Emily M. Brink), The lighting ( Sam Anderson), the props (Liz Hadden) and of most importance ,the puppet builder/coach (Krist Neumann)- he taught Ms Resinger well and she is a natural.
Those of you who have attended Oil Lamp may not know they changed from a BYO ( bring your own) to an actual bar with a menu. They have some special cocktails like an “Old fashioned Love Song”, “Waukegan Sunshine”, “Autumn Mule” and the one that I enjoyed, “The Monster”( Vodka, Midori ,Fresh lemon and simple syrup- a little green keeps the ogres at bay!).
“Frankenstein” will continue thru November 6th with performances as follows:Thursdays:8:00pm
Fridays:8:00pm
Saturdays:3:00pm & 8:00pm
Sundays:3:00pm
Show Type: Drama
Box Office: 847-834-0738 Tickets are $45
The theater is located at 1723 West Glenview Road ( at Waukegan Rd)
there is street parking and they do have a small lot adjacent to the theater.
To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Frankenstein”.
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