The Lexington Children’s Theatre has a spooky show just in time for Halloween. Frankenstein presented on the Learning Stage runs next weekend on Saturday, October 29th at 2 pm and 7 pm and Sunday, October 30th at 2 pm. Check out the Lex Fun Review!
PUBLIC PERFORMANCES
Sunday, October 23 – 2:00 pm
Saturday, October 29 – 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm
Sunday, October 30 – 2:00 pm & NEWLY ADDED 4:00 pm
Public Prices: $15
Plus for $5 you can join in the monster fun with a Monster Make Up class held at 12:30 pm on Saturday, October 29th just before the show. You can purchase tickets online for that event as well as tickets.
Review
The Lexington Children’s Theatre presents a variety of plays and musicals each season. Most plays are on the main stage in the theatre, there is a winter play in December each year that is presented at the Lexington Opera House and there are two plays presented on the Learning Stage. This was our first chance to see a show on the Learning Stage and we enjoyed the intimate setting and a chance to see some great young, local talent on stage. The Learning Stage has long rows for seating in three stadium type rows. Seating is general admission – if you want a back to your seat you can sit up on the top row which backs up to the wall or if you’d like front row get there early and grab a seat right up close! My son was excited to sit up close to the action so we got front row seats.
Frankenstein is a classic tale that was written nearly 200 years ago. The story has been told through movies and plays in many ways over the years. The children’s theatre performance is an opportunity for older kids and teens to enjoy a spooky show in time for Halloween.
The play is best suited for ages 9 and up. The idea of bringing the dead back to life, murder, revenge and the consequences of all these actions run throughout the show. It’s a great way to start discussion with your children about all these topics but younger children may be scared or not understand some of the show. The backdrop and scenery is a spooky grey and black with set changes happening throughout the play. From the ship’s helm and captain’s quarters to Frankenstein’s family home and laboratory the play features a variety of settings. These changes keep the audience engaged but also may be difficult to follow for younger children.
We meet Victor just before his death when he is rescued from the icy lands just near the North Pole. A ship of adventurers is stuck in the ice and finds Victor being pursued by a monster. They take him on board and he tells them the story of the monster that has pursued him and destroyed so many parts of his life.
As Frankenstein begins to talk of his life we meet his family and close friends, Henry and Elizabeth. Throughout his younger days Frankenstein is ambitious and excited about what science could hold for the future of mankind. His father tries to get Frankenstein to focus on other things but ultimately supports him in his decision to continue his studies.
Frankenstein has a passion for learning about how electricity could be used to reanimate dead tissue. He wonders how it could help eradicate disease, help people reach their full potential, or make people stronger or smarter. He focuses on the positive outcomes but gives little thought to how it could negatively affect himself or others. His passion quickly turns to obsession as he begins to keep to himself, lock himself away in his laboratory and go about completing his project through troubling methods.
As Frankenstein finishes his project he promises to teach his creation, to show everyone how he did something amazing to help society. He quickly realizes he instead created a monster, someone who will forever be burdened by his appearance and shunned by society. Following the monster’s escape from Frankenstein’s lab the audience learns of how Frankenstein’s creation leads to murder, revenge, and the personal torment of both himself and the monster.
There is a spot of hope for the monster when he befriends a family through secretly helping them. The father of the family is blind and accepts the monster based on his actions and kindness. The monster’s hope of acceptance is quickly lost when the daughters of the family are frightened by his terrible appearance.
The future for both Frankenstein and the monster is not an easy one. The monster continues to be consumed by hatred, the desire for revenge, but also strong longing for companionship and acceptance. Frankenstein tries to find happiness only to have it destroyed by the monster. The play allows for deep reflection and discussion about what Frankenstein did and whether it was the right thing to do and also how the monster was consumed by revenge and how we may also face feelings like that.
It’s a spooky show just in time for Halloween. The young actors, all from right here in our own community, do a wonderful job of presenting such a dark story. Take time with your family and head to the theatre this weekend for this Learning Stage presentation!
