Frankenstein

By
Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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This Pierce College Frankenstein theatre review celebrates LAPC Theatre’s thrilling new production of Nick Dear’s adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.
Ali Suliman and Shannon Toledo are featured in Nick Dear's adaptation of "Frankenstein," which is on stage at LAPC Theatre through Nov. 2. Gelareh Behdad photo.

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of Los Angeles Pierce College’s production of Nick Dear’s acclaimed adaptation of the Mary Shelley classic fable, Frankenstein.

It’s the season of all things spooky and horrifying and of course Frankenstein is the absolute epitome of the horror story. The first, best and most imitated of all. Mary Shelly quite literally invented the horror genre. However, it is worth remembering that the story is a tragedy, and meant to remind us that we all walk what is at times an almost imperceptible line between our very human tendency to do anything we desire no matter the consequences, and our equally human ability not to.

In these particularly treacherous and unnerving times, returning to lessons learned centuries ago seems important somehow. The original stories, the beginning of science and our modern understanding of what makes life and causes death and how close those two states of being truly are to one another. Discoveries that were a huge and important turning point in human history. 

This Pierce College Frankenstein theatre review celebrates LAPC Theatre’s thrilling new production of Nick Dear’s adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.
Ali Suliman (top) and Shane Chung are featured in Nick Dear’s adaptation of “Frankenstein,” which is on stage at LAPC Theatre through Nov. 2. Gelareh Behdad photo.

Pierce College’s phenomenal theatre department takes on this epic story with the kind of assurance you might expect from an established professional theatre company. But then I have never seen a play here that wasn’t. They have an ambition with every production that belies their scale and it is to the huge benefit of their students as well as their audiences.  

This adaptation, from the brilliant mind of playwright Nick Dear, takes us through the sorry tale from terrible beginning to tragic and heartbreaking end. The story of Frankenstein has been twisted and diluted over the years. Heavens, there are even kid’s cartoons now with sweet natured monsters a million miles away from Mary Shelly’s beast. It’s easy then to forget just how strange and beautiful this story is. A man made by a man from many men, whose existence horrifies his maker so entirely he turns his back on him and leaves him to die. The monster, with a mind relearning everything, is devastated by this betrayal and seeks his master out. At first for forgiveness and then, as he learns to be more like us, for revenge. 

This Pierce College Frankenstein theatre review celebrates LAPC Theatre’s thrilling new production of Nick Dear’s adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.
Elana Cozma, Haley Anglin, Loumaile Finau, Shannon Toledo, Leo Gael and Lucy Davidson are featured in Nick Dear’s adaptation of “Frankenstein,” which is on stage at LAPC Theatre through Nov. 2. Gelareh Behdad photo.

This production is utterly brilliant. From the delicate and gorgeously effective staging to the wonderful heartrending performances. There is nothing about Pierce’s Frankenstein that I didn’t adore. It’s a dark and riveting story and it needs to fulfill that promise or it becomes just a novelty rather than the poignant and deeply meaningful opus that was gifted to the world. 

This production more than keeps that promise. Every character is fully realized. Every scene flows perfectly to the next, pressing onward with this relentlessly tragic journey, with no relief and no mercy.

Treat yourself, this Halloween weekend and go and see this truly excellent show. Another brilliant classic retold by the wonderful Pierce College Theatre Department. Bravo!

This Pierce College Frankenstein theatre review celebrates LAPC Theatre’s thrilling new production of Nick Dear’s adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.
Shannon Toledo and Ali Suliman are featured in Nick Dear’s adaptation of “Frankenstein,” which is on stage at LAPC Theatre through Nov. 2. Gelareh Behdad photo.
This Pierce College Frankenstein theatre review celebrates LAPC Theatre’s thrilling new production of Nick Dear’s adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.
Shane Chung and Shannon Toledo are featured in Nick Dear’s adaptation of “Frankenstein,” which is on stage at LAPC Theatre through Nov. 2. Gelareh Behdad photo.

Where:

LAPC Theatre
6201 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills, CA 91371

When:

October 24 – November 2
Friday and Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm
Please Note: There will be a special sign interpreted performance on Sat., Oct. 25 at 7:30pm

Ticket:

https://www.lapiercecollegestore.com/shop_product_detail.asp?catalog_group_id=Ng&catalog_group_name=TGFwYyBUaWNrZXRz&catalog_id=77&catalog_name=RnJhbmtlbnN0ZWlu&pf_id=175173&product_name=UGllcmNlIENvbGxlZ2UgRnJhbmtlbnN0ZWlu&type=1&target=shop_product_list.asp

Frankenstein Cast

The cast features Haley Anglin, Grant Asner, Trevor Bowens, Deniz Boysan, Tobey Chapman, Terri Chase, Shane Chung, Elena Cosma, Lucy Davidson, Loumaile Finau, Leon Gael, Luke Mena, Rocco Perdenza, Charley Ramos, Ali Suliman, Tori Swick and Shannon Toledo.

The Team

LAPC Theatre’s production of Frankenstein is directed by Shaheen Vaaz.The production features scenic and lighting design by Michael Gend, costume design by Nataly Gomez and sound design by DJ Medina. Jacob Garcia is the stage manager. Original music is written by Sarah Ruopp.

Please Note: There will be a special sign interpreted performance on Sat., Oct. 25 at 7:30pm.

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