The NOLA Project's FRANKENSTEIN
Beautiful lymph nodes, eccentric bra stealers, 10-year-old
mobsters, oh my! The NOLA Project kicks off their 2025-2026 season in monstrous
fashion with the world premiere of Pete McElligot's FRANKENSTEIN,
playing at Greenway Station.
McElligot, a founding member of The NOLA Project, presents a
comedic take on Mary Shelly's classic monster novel. Remaining fairly close to
the plot of the novel, the first act follows Victor Frankenstein as he recounts
his life story, obsession with death, and the eventual creation of his horrific
creature. The second act is told from the creature's perspective as he learns
to speak, love, and become human.
In a hilariously surprising twist, the four people whose
body parts were assembled to create the Frankenstein's monster find out that
they remain conscious inside the brain of the creature. They must work together
to escape and return to the land of the living until they eventually become
sympathetic to the creature and remain to help him on the road to humanity.
This show fits right into The NOLA Project's repertoire of dramadies
with great heart and dead-pan comedy. The story arc for the creature feels like
a coming-of-age romantic comedy as he develops feelings for Frankenstein's love
interest, Elizabeth. He becomes a sweet and affectionate person that feels
sweet and true to life. While physical comedy would be a no-brainer in a story
about body horror, The NOLA Project keeps the laughter alive and exciting.
Several detached body parts made appearances, with severed plushy toy limbs
flying across the stage and dramatic dismemberments, spilling out like the
endless oddities from Mary Poppins' bag.
The performances in this show are exactly what you hope when
coming to a NOLA Project play. In a long list of small ensemble characters and
small parts, almost every member of the cast was playing more than one
character—and each felt distinct. Particularly, the members of the creature's
brain, Salt (played by James Bartelle), Katarina (played by J'aiLa Christina), Godrick
(played by Noah Hazzard), and Johanna (played by Kristin Witt), did a fantastic
job of keeping these characters individual. So much so that it was easy to trace
where each of the creature's mannerisms or choice of words came from. These
four created a cackling second act while personifying the creature's internal
conflict.
FRANKENSTEIN is the perfect start to spooky season
and is playing through October 17 at Greenway Station, located at 436 N Norman
C Francis Pkwy. Tickets can be found at nolaproject.com.
