By Liz Eichler
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a great night of theatre and the macabre. Adapted by David Catlin, this is an origin story of the iconic creatures, digging beyond the monster mythos. CSC’s production, directed by Brian Isaac Phillip, is beautifully designed and charged with suspense and empathy for all involved, primarily the creature. It blends gothic horror and philosophical musings, and is perfect for audiences middle school and up.
The Plot of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein
In this two hour production you are so close to the stage that you feel you are part of the literary elite at this small party. Gathered near Geneva in 1816, Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, Lord Byron, and John William Polidori (accredited for the first stories about vampires) who challenge each other to a scary story contest. How could young Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, barely into her twenties, possibly compete? Yet her own life, scarred by loss—of her mother, her child, and others to cholera—provides the raw material for a tale that would reanimate literature forever.
Mary begins her chilling tale, acted out by her comrades, of Victor Frankenstein, a scientist so consumed by the desire to conquer death that he becomes detached from the living. He is crushed by the loss of his mother, and is determined to stop death. Eventually he cobbles together a body from both human and animal parts–and in a thunderous lightning crash–the creature walks. You likely know the rest…or do you?
The players go in and out of the Frankenstein story, and reveal some of their own pains, so you become invested in Mary and Percey’s relationship. And really wish you could be part of such a gathering of illustrious creatives having a grand night.
The first act is phenomenal. Tension is built, and you are on the edge of your seat. The intermission breaks the story, and it takes a bit to rebuild that tension, although Catlin (or Phillips) has crafted a recap which helps get the electricity back as we surge forward.
Performances
The performers are the highest caliber. John Patrick Hayden, who portrays both Frankenstein and Shelley, delivers a performance so precise and intense, the audience buzzed with excitement during intermission. A welcome new face on the CSC stage that we hope to see again.
Jasimine Bouldin, as Mary, is articulate and brooding, a perfect fit for this Gothic heroine. Billy Chace (Polidori and Frankenstein’s friends) imbues the show with heart, while Alexis Bronkovic, in her role as Clare, Mary’s half-sister, and other characters, shines as another welcome new face. Jay Wade’s athletic portrayal of the creature is a standout, his physicality evoking both menace and tragedy.
Gina Cerimele-Mechley acts as Intimacy Director, Fight Director & Dance Choreographer, as the players do get close, in both love and jest. You will also note the variety of accents (Julia Guichard, Dialect coach) which the actors perform with skill, identifying the many locales during the characters’ travels.
Design Team
Design-wise this is a winner. Robert Carlton Stimmel (Projections & Properties Design) electrifies the audience with images not only on the screen, but believably creates fire, rain, snow, and eerie-ness. Lighting (Jeff Adelberg) and Sound (Zack Bennett) pull out the stops with lightness, darkness, mist, haunting echoes and thunderous claps. They elevate and change the elegant but simple scenery (Samantha Reno) which consists of 3 large arched doorways, surrounding stairs, a well-used trap door, curtains, chairs and many, many candles, chandeliers, vases and books. And plenty of wine glasses and decanters to charge this energetic storytelling. Shout out to Stage Manager Cole Sweasy who ensures this effect-heavy show is a tight running ship (BTW, you will appreciate the sounds of the creaking ship, too).
And then there are the clothes (Rainy Edwards, Costume Design and Wig Design by Kayla Cieslinski). From Mary’s rich black velvet gown with a textured white underdress to Percy’s well-fitting clothes, to Clare’s golden locks, there is a richness to the costume and wigs.
Director Stitches it all Together
Director Brian Isaac Phillips has stitched together a tale that balances horror with humanity, suspense with soul–and not too much gore. The themes of creation, responsibility, and the unintended consequences of our inventions couldn’t be more timely—especially in an age where our own creations (hello, AI) take on lives of their own.
Conclusion
It’s a no-brainer: CSC’s Frankenstein is a must-see this spooky season. With its electrifying performances, stunning design, and powerful storytelling, it’s alive with Broadway-caliber magic.
Tickets to Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein
Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein runs through November 2. (Then it moves onto the Merrimack Repertory Theatre in Lowell, MA.) Get your tickets for Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s production by clicking here for the box office.
ADDED NOTE: There are countless ways to bring a story to life, but some linger long after the curtain falls. This production made me recall the memorable work of Cincinnati’s Maggie Lou Rader (often on the CSC stage). Her one-woman original production of Mary’s Monsters produced a few years ago at Know Theatre. Also about Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, her brilliant parents, and her tempest-tossed relationship with Shelley. Both shows poignantly highlight how creative brilliance is often born from personal chaos, proving that the lives of great artists (or scientists) are rarely as calm as their creations are enduring.
