Musically-inclined Davidson English majors Justin Perkinson '01 and Ty Morse '04 wrote three songs as an assignment while studying Mary Shelley's 1818 horror novel in a literature class. Then they decided after the semester ended to work on a full-scale version. They recruited Jon Greenlee, a professional musician friend from Minneapolis, and have now completed a thirty-six song rock opera absolutely true to Shelley's plot.
The three musicians all love literature, and read and analyzed the book many times during the creative process. Viewers who are only familiar with Hollywood's version of "Frankenstein" will encounter a story line full of unexpected plot twists, "ends-of-the-earth" venues, and powerful drama which questions the humanity of both creator and creation.
Last spring the Davidson College theatre department got wind of the work and decided to adopt it as the major fall semester production. "Frankenstein: The Rock Opera" will be staged six times in Davidson's Duke Family Performance Hall before and during Family Weekend. Theatre Professor Joe Gardner, a noted set designer, will create the set and direct the production of a sixteen member cast. Rick Dior, principle percussionist with the Charlotte Symphony, will direct an eight piece rock orchestra of professional musicians.
These three young entrepreneurs (age 21, 24 and 28) are impressively dedicated to, and excited by their work. Jon Greenlee took a four-month leave from his job in Minneapolis to come to Davidson, and the trio has been working on their creation full-time since July. In addition to the stage production, they plan to make a DVD, and present educational assemblies at local high schools. They also have visions of taking the show to other campuses, professional theatres, and -- ultimately -- Broadway, of course!
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