The New York Times panned the Broadway production of Young Frankenstein: The Musical — but others dug it. Critic Jeffrey Lyons said it was “utter genius.”
Perhaps we should approach it with a beaker-half-full attitude.
After all, Mel Brooks co-wrote the book, and those of us who fondly remember the 1974 film — the best horror parody and first of its kind on a big-Hollywood scale — have sentimental reasons to go to see this touring production, if just to hear some memorable lines from the movie and to relive the hilarious number featuring the Frahnkensteen monster performing “Puttin’ on the Ritz.”
Another positive: The critics seem to agree that the cast is top-notch and the set and special effects are marvelous — and Joanna Klushak’s Frau Blucher reportedly still has that bizarre effect upon horses. Show runs Feb. 8-13 at Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater; $42-$72; 727-791-7400, rutheckerdhall.com.
Christian Prosl, the Austrian ambassador to the United States (pictured here with President Obama), discusses the Consequences of WikiLeaks on International Diplomacy at 1 p.m. on the ninth floor of the Vaughn Center at the University of Tampa.
Prosl became Austria’s ambassador to the U.S. in 2009. His previous postings include Berlin, Los Angeles and London. Prosl joined the Austrian Foreign Ministry in 1977 after serving in the Austrian Army Special Forces and receiving a doctorate law degree.
1 p.m. Free. University of Tampa, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. For more information, contact the Honors Program at 813-257- 3545 or [email protected]. utampa.edu.
