Frankenstein opens with the usher, Peyton Sarrail (‘18), reenacting M. Night Shyamalan’s Split. She switches between a ponytail-clad valley girl, detailing the plot, to sighing, sweatshirt-clad teenager to an enthusiastic and thoughtful librarian-type. She continues as costumed servants undress and redress her as she continues her monologue, now as the young Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein. After Sarrail monologue, the narrative begins. The first five minutes detail James Hill (‘17) emerging from inside a mesh shower curtain, to stumble and fall and chew on various objects as Frankenstein’s Creature. The lights shine ominously in the dark theatre and the only sounds to be heard are Hill’s occasional grunts and a pulsing beat, designed by Zachary Ngin (‘18) (Sound Designer, Dramaturg, Secretary of the Interior. Et cetera).

Hill’s stage debut is interrupted by Frankenstein, Alex Hoskins-Frame (‘17), speaking German, while the Creature continues to stumble, first through the town, interrupting an unfortunate prostitute, and then through the woods, chased by both the townspeople and a two surprisingly feisty beggars. The creature, exhausted and now equipped with swear words as his only vocabulary, seeks refuge in the house of De Lacey, a blind man played by Jonah Herbsman (‘18). His son, Felix, aka Lucas Lepinard (‘17) and his daughter in law, Agatha, played by Clara Miller (‘18), whose public displays of affection have no doubt inspired an editorial by the Urban Legend, unknowingly leave De Lacey at the mercy of the Creature. The two develop a friendship, as De Lacey essentially teaches the Creature a year-long course of Ben Slater’s winter-term philosophy class. However, when De Lacey’s children finally meet the Creature and see his badass SFX makeup, they reject him. The Creature responds by burning them, including De Lacey, alive. He has been given a Below Standard.

The Creature travels to Geneva to find Frankenstein, heartbroken after murdering his only friend and overcome with loneliness. The Creature comes upon William, Frankenstein’s younger brother, Parker Sela (‘17) in the woods during a game of hide and seek. After William’s disappearance, accompanied by a ransom note in the form of Frankenstein’s own writings which were left in a journal the Creature stole, Frankenstein finally finds his Creature. Frankenstein, while a plausible psychopath, is not pleased about the kidnapping and murder of his brother. The Creature counters with that he did not ask to be born, alone and afraid, into this world by a mad scientist. He strikes a bargain with Frankenstein; he will go to Scotland, leaving behind his grieving father, Jack Cogen (‘18), and impatient fiance, Emma Draisin (‘18), in order to create a female creature with whom he will reenact the movie Up with, escaping to Argentina. In return, the Creature will refrain from murdering any more of Frankenstein’s family. Satisfied, Frankenstein returns home to console his father, mad and disappointed, and to apologize to his fiance, Elizabeth, resigned to remain Frankenstein’s childless finance (and his cousin).

Frankenstein leaves for Scotland, where he bribes Ewan, Sam Masto (‘17) and his nephew, Rab (Peyton Sarrail) to find the most attractive dead body possible. Ewan and Rab, the comic relief, probably have the most depth out of all the characters in this play (they can cook!). As in the beginning of the show, the lights dim and the beat returns as Frankenstein unveils the Female Creature to the Creature’s Amazement. The Creature, finally learning the power of love upon seeing his wife, is horrified as Frankenstein destroys his new creation. The Creature leaves Frankenstein injured and alone as he plots his revenge. Frankenstein’s family and a local constable played by Lepinard, finds him on the floor of his laboratory. Despite the officer’s presence, and surprisingly no one is arrested, including Ewan and Rab. The scene cuts to Frankenstein’s and Elizabeth’s wedding, where a surprisingly large amount of singing and dancing take place. The wedding ends and Elizabeth sits with her maid, who relays the worst sex talk ever given. However, when Frankenstein arrives, he is not preparing for his wedding night, but rather the arrival of the Creature. After attempting to relay this to his unassuming wife and rightfully doubtful wife, he leaves her. Immediately after doing so the Creature finds Elizabeth who talks to him and promises to be his friend. Because history must repeat itself, after experiencing human kindness the Creature promptly snapped Elizabeth’s neck as Frankenstein watches his wife die at the hands of his creation. Overcome with anger, Frankenstein follows the Creature North, who leads Frankenstein to certain death and the Creature to his eternal isolation.