LOGAN – Theater fans here in Cache Valley will have to wait a while for the local debut of the musical version of Young Frankenstein.
The Cache Theatre Company had been scheduled to stage the musical comedy by Mel Brooks at the new Lionheart Hall in Logan during October, but plans for that production have since been cancelled.
The theater troupe was simply over-extended, according to Whitney Metz, the president of the CTC board of directors.
“We have been stretched far too thin,” Metz confessed on Oct. 3.
The buzz about the local production of Young Frankenstein began back in July during a “For the People” broadcast on KVNU.
Ryan Leonhardt announced that a CTC production of Seussical the Musical would be the inaugural presentation in his new venue later in August, followed by the local premier of Young Frankenstein in October.
In recent years, the CTC has created a unique niche for itself among local performing arts groups by staging relatively contemporary musicals like Legally Blonde and Spamalot!
But, after a winning production of Seussical, however, nothing more was heard about Young Frankenstein.
The musical’s booking agents, Music Theatre International, confirmed that the stage adaptation by comic genius Mel Brooks of his 1974 film of the same name was slated to be performed in Logan from Oct. 13 to 28.
In lieu of that production, Ms. Metz says that the Cache Theatre Company is “ … focusing all its efforts on our new academy at this time.”
That’s the Panoramic Academy for the Performing Arts, according to the CTC website.
Launched in September, the CTC academy offers young performers ages 8 to 18 comprehensive experience in the realm of musical theater taught by “renowned industry professionals, accomplished artists and experienced educators.”
Outside its classrooms, the Panoramic Academy also offers numerous performance opportunities for students to showcase their talents, including recitals, concerts and theatrical productions.
For more information about the CTC’s instructional academy, parents can go online to https://cachetheatre.com/panoramic-academy
Meanwhile, disappointed local theater fans who are still itching to see the musical version of Young Frankenstein can check out the production of that show playing throughout November at the Egyptian Theatre in Park City.
Or they can settle for the film version of Young Frankenstein being screened at the Utah Theatre at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 9 and Wednesday, Oct. 10.
That film ain’t a musical, but it’s still one of Mel Brooks’ best movies.