The monstrous musical “Young Frankenstein” has been an incredible hit for West Milford High School students and the surrounding community. This musical is an adaptation of Mel Brooks’ 1974 horror-comedy film of the same name starring Gene Wilder.With fun music including “Join the Family Business,” “Transylvania Mania,” and “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” along with spectacular sets and passionate actors, this zany show left its audiences in stitches by the end of each night’s performance. “Young Frankenstein” was presented on March 3 through March 5 at 7 p.m.

Auditions began before Thanksgiving, and the cast learned lines and music in December so that after winter break, they could begin intense rehearsals to prepare themselves for opening night. The cast, crew, and creative team worked for hours each week for months to put together a truly spectacular production that amazed its audiences.

The musical starred senior Joe Bellina as the respectable Doctor Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced Fronk-en-steen), who is reluctant to call himself the descendant of the late Victor Von Frankenstein, “creator of monsters.” When he goes to sort out his grandfather’s estate in Transylvania, he gets caught up in the wild world of monsters and adventure.

The musical’s main cast also featured senior Megan Johnson as the exuberant laboratory assistant Inga, senior Zack McIntyre as the hilarious Igor (pronounced Eye-gore), junior Hana Salvacion as the mysterious Frau Blucher, sophomore Lindsey Renna as the spirited Elizabeth Benning, and junior Chris Sansone as the fearsome Monster.

The cast also featured Peter Oselador, Morgan Brown, Gabbie Crocco, Elizabeth Lynn, Audrey Leibig, Ben Macarell, Katherine Choma, Sarah Clark, Sarah Dalton, Lindsey Davis, Debriella Debrecki, Danielle Durante, Megan Fantuzzi, Rebecca Foody, Alissa Goldman, Megan Hubbard, Serenity Jackson, Allison Kamecki, Kathryn Keller, Maighdlin Lagonegro-Coar, Carly Love, Jack McGraw, Madi McIntyre, Connor Partington, Val Pellington, Noah Rodums, Jonathan Romeo, Bailey Stewart, Tyler Thenell,

Craig Todd, Brianna Viering, and Jena Zupp.
As in the past three years, West Milford High School’s Theatre Arts teacher Heather Burns directed this year’s musical. The production staff also included Faith Anderson as musical director, Randy Accardi as choreographer, Matthew Gramata as orchestral conductor, Krista Sweer as rehearsal accompanist, senior Michaela Kochan as stage manager, junior Melinda MacArthur as assistant stage manager, Cynthia Gallagher as art director, and Bill Remia as set designer.