Gay Bride of Frankenstein


Sound Advice -Top 10 Cast Albums of 2009 December, 2009 Rob Lester Currently available as a download or hard copy CD via PayPal by the show's website is the following item that may feel a bit like a "demo" but what it demonstrates is more than just potential. A participant in the New York Musical Theatre Festival this past fall, Gay Bride of Frankenstein brought along a cast album from its earlier workshop cast in New Hampshire. Rather than settle for only heavy winking and pure camp, the show billed as "a Comic-Book-Rock-n-Roll Musical" treats its teen characters with respect and affection throughout the wild ride. Wanting the best of both worlds— reality and horror fantasy—the show has its crazy cake and eats it gluttonously. A Halloween costumemparty lets a quartet of high school students cut loose and they get mixed up in a science experiment echoing the Frankenstein story. Focus is on the somewhat glum Edna who harbors a same-sex crush on her initially clueless best friend Chloe, who has a steady boyfriend and is dressed as the bride of Frankenstein. What a difference a Halloween day and night make—with Chloe at death's door and at the mercy of a mad scientist and a soul from the past. Though rock musicals are not my favorite genre, the music style fits the youthful flavor, the quirky, spunky and edgy tone. The electrified sound (in both senses of the word) and some roughness suits the teens' unrest and bursts of previously pent-up energy and emotion. Composer-lyricist Billy Butler, on keyboards, leads the Monster Makers instrumental quartet and they sing, too. Some songs are harderedged than others; there's a kind of cute sweetness to "Little Miss Bad News," with the flavor of rock from another era while the title song and others have more of a sense of a simple aggressive riff and rant with a smile behind it. The standout is the meatier and powerful "Here Comes the Rain Again" catharsis as the girls have their moment of truth. (Unfortunately, what seemed to be very much the other audience favorite in New York, a sentimental change-of-musical-pace non-rocker about a missed pet, was added after this recording.) Some included dialogue presents our protagonists not as strutting rock star personalities sometimes sensed from the singing but rather as down-to-earth and insecure kids. One spoken song cue cheerfully acknowledges the musical theatre form: "There's something I've been meaning to sing you." There's loopy, irreverent fun and free-spirited wild-and-wooly rocking out that only really hints at the bigger picture of what is also a very visual show, with comic strip projections as an ongoing element, a farcestyle chase with comically costumed characters, its off-the-wall, hand-made style. Nevertheless, the surprisingly innocent and humorous sensibilities come forth through the raucous and rowdy rock. It's all sung with bright energy by a likeable small ensemble cast.
Theatre Review: The Light's on Broadway by Phil Willmott October 20, 2009 · New York If you love theatre and you’ve a week to spare, even a long weekend, it’s always a treat to hop on a plane to Manhattan; the guys are great, the bars and scene are welcoming and of course the theatre is world class. A ticket to a Broadway show isn’t cheap but at this time of the year you’ll find good deals at the tkts booth in Times Square where you can pick up discounted tickets. Alternatively there’s Off Broadway where you can see slightly fringier work in smaller and cheaper theatres. Each October musical theatre writers try out their new musicals for 5 or 6 performances in many of these spaces, refining the work and hoping a producer will invest in a full production. One of the best of these recent try-outs is a wacky, homosexy version of Scooby Doo called THE GAY BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN. It hilariously sends up all the conventions of teen horror films, giving the protagonists free reign to explore their sexuality before it’s wrapped up in a frantic finale that means you’ll never think of Shaggy and the Wolfman in the same way again! Hopefully we’ll see this fun show in a full production in New York and London before too long. But you heard about it here first!
NYMF 2009: Roundup #1 Gay Bride of Frankenstein by Patrick Lee Oct 5, 2009 · New York Gay Bride of Frankenstein, currently performing at The TBG Theatre, sometimes plays like Scooby-Doo Meets The Rocky Horror Picture Show as it puts a modern-day lesbian spin on an old horror movie standard. The girl-girl love story, depicted in earnest, provides a welcome emotional hook that focuses the show and distinguishes it in its camp horror musical subgenre. Perhaps the wisest, most effective bit of business in the musical is its strong, early "I want" song (called "My Abomination") for our heroine Edna (Emma Hunton) that sets up the high schooler's unrequited crush on her best friend Chloe (Ashley Kate Adams). The strength of the song, the most memorable in the pop-rock score, carries us through the show's less inspired moments besides quickly establishing its main conflict. Its passion makes Edna instantly interesting, as it contrasts with her low-key Goth girl dialogue. Hunton is a completely captivating force on stage, putting the right affect on her comic line readings and belting the living hell out of the song. Except that the main couple is same-sex, the plot is standard issue. The gals, along with Chloe's shaggy brother Hairy (Christopher Hudson Myers) and boyfriend Thad (Jonathan B. Wright), are lured to a Halloween party at a mysterious house where Dr. Shocker (Jeremiah James, in sensational voice) needs the blood of a virgin girl to resurrect his dead wife. In other words, it's an excuse to rock out and have fun. Although the show is consistently amiable, well-served by the likable cast, and directed by Stephen Nachamie to move along at a clip, it falls short of adding up to a full-blown party. For every effective rock number in the score (by Billy Butler, also the show's bookwriter with Dane E. Leeman) there's another that doesn't quite spark -- several due to less-than-funny lyrics. But the sentiment in Edna's first song has a long reach: the show's heart keeps it alive.
Gay Bride of Frankenstein by David Vining · September 30, 2009 · New York Gay Bride of Frankenstein is a fun, campy send-up of kitschy TV shows, off-kilter musical theater, classic Hollywood movies, and of course Mary Shelley. This Is Not The Gay Bride of Frankenstein You Might Be Expecting. This is a public service announcement, not a warning. I liked this goofy, energetic show. But it owes more to Evil Dead: The Musical than La Cage Aux Folles and would be more accurately, though admittedly less flashily, titled Fanboy Lesbian Scooby-Doo Bride of Frankenstein. And if that seems like fun to you, you're in for a treat. Gay Bride is a rock musical that follows the exploits of four high school friends on one fateful Halloween. The story isn't really the point here, though is does (basically) follow the story of the Frankenstein Monster's undead bride and her rejection of him in favor of... another. Based on Dan Drew's graphic novel, this production at the New York Musical Theatre Festival delivers laughs and a spunky rock score that keep the energy high and the audience engaged. The cast is universally strong, with subtle comic timing that highlights the many one-liners without overplaying the gentle (and not-so-gentle) nods to pop culture. Emma Hunton is the standout vocalist in the lead role of goth-girl Edna, and her sly delivery of ironic punch lines aids this production to no end. Only her tendency to play especially earnest moments to the floor keeps her from stealing the show outright. The singing is first-rate all around, including a surprisingly well-tuned ballad by Christopher Hudson Myers as comic-relief stoner Hairy. The perky Ashley Kate Adams, as the titular Bride, turns in a solid performance, giving enough emotional reality to carry the plot and singing her duets very well, though her jokes sometimes fall a bit flat. Darryl Winslow provides needed comedy glue in several roles. Jeremiah James, another fine voice, hams it up as a Michael Ball-ish villain, but it seems like there is more to be had in this over-the-top role. The same can be said for Jonathan B. Wright, who is great in moments but is so low-key he is almost nonexistent in others. Amanda Bujak deserves special mention for her fun, surprising costumes that not only compliment but enhance greatly the mood and look of the show. She also manages to include a few jokes of her own in the designs, which is a credit to her skill and talent. Overall, Gay Bride is cute, adorable even. It provides many chuckles and a couple of good songs, but lacks a real showstopper. Writer/band leader/musical director Billy Butler and his band rock out pretty good, but the songwriting and lyrics are seldom more than adequate. The end of Act One calls out for a big musical number, and the brief static scene that takes place seems like a placeholder. Only the house lights alert the audience that intermission has arrived. It is difficult to tell whether this was a choice by director Stephen Nachamie, or a result of the festival production, or if the musical is just in need of a rewrite. Indeed the show seems like it could easily grow and benefit from a larger, flashier production. With a bit of rewriting I think it could have one. There is something to be said for scrappy festival productions, and there are several nice touches here, most of which involve the use of Drew's drawings as animated backdrops, and even a few virtual characters that reinforce the comic book ambiance nicely. Choreographer Adrienne Maitland is, if anything, underutilized. The dance numbers she has created stand out as fun, energetic, and innovative. But the staging of some of the musical numbers, with the notable exception of a fun Scooby-style chase in Act Two, is uninspiring. The end of the first act particularly could use Maitland's touch, for instead of dancing or even moving, there is a good deal of standing about in time to the music. This is a fun show, and really the perfect thing to be part of NYMF. Does it need a little work? Sure. Is it worth it? Absolutely. And it showcases a lot of young talent. Butler has created a silly and satisfying yarn that holds together well and a score that is one song short of total awesomeness. Check it out. Copyright ©2009 The New York Theatre Experience, Inc. All rights reserved.
Theater review: 'Gay Bride of Frankenstein' does Portsmouth proud in NYC By Denise J. Wheeler October 15, 2009 · New York Billy Butler has been the hometown kid we've wanted to see leave for a long time. That sentiment was meant in the nicest way. A gifted actor, musician, and director, the hope was that Butler's talents could carry him further, sustain him better, and, maybe even bring him acclaim in climes beyond Portsmouth. His recent move to New York City has led to the staging of last year's local hit, "Gay Bride of Frankenstein" as part of The New York Musical Theatre Festival. Written by Butler and another accomplished local, Dane E. Leeman, the comic book rock musical left the Seacoast with all the makings of a cult favorite. "Gay Bride's" move from New Hampshire to New York has meant gains in both guts and gusto. While it is on par with its highly acclaimed, fun-loving predecessor in Portsmouth, New York's is a more polished, sexier production. And the singing! The vocal chops of the New York cast lift "Gay Bride's" songs to new heights. Served as an aperitif to Halloween, "Gay Bride" is the story of four friends, much like the leads in the Hanna-Barbera cartoon series "Scooby Doo," who find themselves in a mysterious mansion on Halloween for a Monsters' Ball. A young virgin is taken by the evil Dr. Shocker and transformed into the title character. The play unfolds at a heady pace, embracing sex, horror and teen angst in a campy, breezy way. Dr. Shocker, played with delicious malice by Jeremiah James, is a mad scientist with a heart of pure lechery, but the true Frankensteins here are Butler and Leeman. They have taken a graphic novel and a rock band and implanted them into a theatrical homage to horror films, classic farce and cartoon capers, creating a contemporary and consistently entertaining musical. It's monstrously fun and exudes an affable charm. A digital comic book, created by Dan Drew, unfolds on a screen on stage while the actors perform in front of it and a rock band plays behind it. This gives the show a fresh, stylized edge. Occasional interactions between the actors and the comic book characters add to the musical's dimension. "Gay Bride" was staged at TBG Theatre, which is about the size of its home at The Players' Ring in Portsmouth. Six N.Y. shows were scheduled and they sold out, including one at 1 p.m. on a Thursday. An extra was added on Saturday of the final weekend, and its near-capacity audience gave the show a standing ovation. The pedigree of the cast, which includes actors from the original Broadway musical "Spring Awakening," is strong, but special note goes to Jonathan B. Wright, who is outstanding as Thad, the vapid poster boy for The Frat Boy Nation. His facial expressions were dead on. Ashley Kate Adams, making her N.Y. debut as the winsome Chloe, nailed it. Adams and Emma Hunton, (Edna), have incredible voices and their duet, "Here comes the Rain Again" was stunning. The band, Portsmouth's own Jon McCormack, Tim McCoy and Jamie Perkins with Butler as The Monster Makers, tears it up back stage. Intermittent camera shots of them, while adding another crossover dimension, do not do the band justice. Given a larger venue, it'd be interesting to experiment with putting them onstage so the audience could soak in their momentum. Butler's songs are a driving force. Ranging from pop ballads to what has been dubbed "face-melting guitar rock," they rocket the musical into a full-throttle extravaganza. Like the undead who inhabit it, "Gay Bride" lingers long after its end, due in part to the memorable songs, irreverent humor and warmth. Butler has made Portsmouth proud.
NYMF ‘09: Fillin’ Out The Form by Patrick Lee Oct 16th, 2009 I’m honored and thrilled to serve again this year as a NYMF juror. For the past three weeks, that’s meant seeing nearly all of the “Full Productions” at the Festival; this weekend, it means filling out my ballot and writing about the best and most promising festival shows. This year there is an embarrassment of riches to choose from in the Best Music and Best Ensemble categories – I’m still debating those. In the meantime, I thought it would be fun (read: I need to distract myself) to recap NYMF ‘09 with some just-for-fun citations. 4 SONGS I PUT ON MY iPOD “Julianna” With its driving energy and early Ben Folds Five feel, this indie pop-rock ditty from F#@kin Up Everything puts a spring in my step every time I crank it. “My Abomination” I sandwiched this gay-is-okay “I Want” song from Gay Bride of Frankenstein between Meat Loaf and Lita Ford on my vintage power pop playlist. “Not Enough” It’s been a long time – decades? – since a song written for a musical had mainstream pop hit potential. Bring on the club remix of this Street Lights number, please. “Dream” The most conventional of the pieces in Max Understood perhaps plays like a curiosity piece out of context, but I love walking around with its electronic soundscape in my head. WHO ARE YOU?! 8 performers I’d never seen before who are now most definitely on my radar: Casey Predovic, All Fall Down Emma Hunton, Gay Bride of Frankenstein Wilson Bridges and Jason Edward Cook, The Academy Zak Resnick and Jen Sese, The Cure Miguel Jarquin-Moreland, Street Lights Alex Wyse, The Last Smoker In America
Gay Bride of Frankenstein Opens at NYMF by Karen Nowosad October 4, 2009 · New York Gay Bride of Frankenstein opened this past Monday, September 28th, 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 impact 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 unexpectedly. 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 (Thad), 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.
Gay Bride of Frankenstein at the Players' Ring By Tamara Le October 23, 2008 · Portsmouth, NH Brad and Janet, jump to the left. And then, step to the right. Run down to the Players' Ring to catch Lot 20's, "The Gay Bride of Frankenstein," for Time Warp season is upon us and you've just been upstaged. Dammit. Dane Leeman, Billy Butler and Dan Drew's swinging, grooving and grinding rock-comic book-musical is a must see on the trick-or-treat circuit. Smart, smarmy, sexy, sweet, acrid and accessible, the audience has as much fun as the actors do. A morality tale in disguise, the musical centers around a collective sense of eternal suffering and unrequited love. Further, it showcases the good and evil we humans and semi-humans contend with in that struggle. All comes to a head at the creepy, crawly Monster Ball. What grabbed me first and foremost in GBoF was the energy and excitement of the music, song and dance, seamlessly connected by an ensemble cast and rock band. Edna (Meghann Beauchamp) gains your respect and sympathies as the smart, loving and protective closeted heroine. Her song, "Will You Be My Abomination," will knock your heart and your socks for a loop. The piquant, telephone scene dialogue between Edna and her love interest is deliciously intelligent. It sets up an equally masterful choreographed (Adrienne Maitland) scene inside the, "Shaggin' Wagon," as the cast descends into the evil of the night. You'll never sit still in a rolling office chair again. Hairy (Tobin Moss) the follicly-endowed, banana-bong toting, straight man offers a brilliant sense of comic timing and stop-action dance moves. If every other scripting element in the show could become as sharp and enticing as Moss' delivery, it's certain to be a hit well beyond the Seacoast. Chloe/Liza (Hayley Nystrom) strikes a lusciously innocent, musical score. Thad (Ari Wilford) is perfectly cast as, "The man with a van and a plan." Peccadillo-inclined Wilford brings depth to a shallow character and lots of reverb to a stereotypical stiff. Don't miss him in, "Proud to Be GAE," and "Little Miss Bad News." Dr. Shocker (Chris Savage) is commanding and evil as the Frankenstein- inspired body-tinkerer and fairly unlikable as the lecherous, milquetoast biology teacher Mr. Weatherspoon. Costume design (Karin Bendeck) includes outrageous wigs, lots of faux fur and slinky drama-chick attire. Technical direction and stagecraft were also exceptional. Make sure you get back to your seat before the second act begins or you'll miss an impressive chandelier dropping moment. Note: adult themes and language, simulated sex. In addition, "The Gay Bride of Frankenstein" is also broadcast live on the internet. Go to www.mogulus.com/gaybridelive anytime Thursday through Sunday starting around 7 p.m. and see the show and pre-show live. But, don't forget to experience the real thing by sitting right on stage at the Players' Ring.
Episode 225 - Doomsday Film Festival & Gay Bride of Frankenstein by Jimmy Aquino October 06, 2009 · New York Reviews: Astro City: Astra Special #1, Die Hard: Year One #1, sky Pirates of Neo Terra #1, Zombieland Doomsday Film Festival directors Andrew Miller and Kristana Textor join Joe in studio to discuss the upcoming horror fest. Meanwhile, Jimmy has drinks and chats with Dana Aber, Ashley Kate Adams and Jeremiah James from the cast of The Gay Bride of Frankenstein. Jimmy talks of his deadly plague and new niece Chloe! News includes The Guild comic book, new Doctor Who logo, Transformers 3, a dark Mickey Mouse, Archie gets Betty too (told ya) and more!