Skulls blended into proscenium around the stage, lit with the dim yet warm lighting of lanterns lining each side of the theatre; and projected on center stage: “The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein,” a parody of the horror film “Frankenstein.”

The Des Moines Community Playhouse theatre filled with audience members with high anticipation.

When the clock struck 7:30 p.m., the lights went dark and the spotlight came on, pointing not at the stage, but at the music director entering the theatre. He gracelessly stepped through the audience to get to his spot in the pit with the band. The crowd was roaring in laughter, but that was only a small preview of what was to come of the exquisite and hysterical production. 

The show was filled with endless sexual innuendos and the raunchy humor that Mel Brooks is known for. Not only was it the script that had the audience crying out in laughter, but the incredible stage presence of the actors and actresses really made the show hilarious. 

From the facial expressions to the small motions and actions that could’ve easily been overlooked, the cast hit the nail on the head. The leading cast members were Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, played by Charlie Reese; The Monster, played by Adam Yankowy; Igor, played by Brett Spahr; and Inga, played by Patricia Arvanis. 

Adam Yankowy, a lecturer for the Iowa State theatre department, portrayed an excellent rendition of The Monster. Yankowy, with minimal speaking parts, was forced to use his body language to keep all eyes on him. The predominant singer took on this role as to prove that wasn’t all that he could do.  

“I took this role on to really challenge myself physically,” Yankowy said. “I am known for my voice and I don’t really sing or talk in this show, I have to communicate physically and through my face.”

Yankowy has been acting for about 12 year, and ever since he first saw the broadway production of “Young Frankenstein” when it opened in 2007 he knew he had to be in it.  

“I loved it with this really phenomenal cast and when I saw it, I knew one day I needed to play the monster,” Yankowy said. 

Although playing the monster was one of his dreams, he also had some obstacles to overcome. He was in six inch platform shoes and was a hulking seven feet tall and four feet wide when in full costume. 

“I am tap dancing in six inch platform shoes, that was the biggest challenge,” Yankowy said. “It took many weeks to get used to it and I fell a lot actually.”

Along with the costume that taking its toll, the makeup took three months to perfect the look, but with time both did improve. 

“It took over two hours to get into makeup,” he said. 

After the first act was over, audience members had to rush to the restroom to relieve themselves during intermission after yucking it up for an hour and a half. 

The first half included iconic scenes such as the comical introduction of Igor to his “Master” (Dr. Frankenstein), Dr. Frankenstein meeting his personal laboratory assistant Inga and having a “Roll in the Hay” during the trek to the castle with her.  

Once the wildly entertaining and erotic hayride got to the castle they were greeted by Frau Blücher the castles housekeeper and the original Dr. Frankenstein’s “Boyfriend” which she made very apparent in her chuckle-worthy song “He Vas My Boyfriend.” Every time she was mentioned the horses outside the castle neighed wildly which had the audience in stitches every time. 

And of course the monster is created and brought to life towards the end of the act, but his time to shine would be during the second half.

Act two began with the monster on the loose and the townspeople up in arms.

Yankowy’s favorite scenes were in the second act. 

“It’s a toss up: I loved ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz.’ It’s just a blast with the tap dancing; It’s the monsters time to shine,” he said. “But I love working with Jackie Schmillen [Elizabeth Benning who is Dr. Frankensteins finance back in New York] and doing the cave scene with all the ‘Deep Love’ moments.” 

The song “Puttin’ on the Ritz” is Dr. Frankenstein’s introduction of The Monster through an elaborate tap routine. That involved The Monster screaming the iconic line “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” where the audience gagged. 

“Deep Love,” was “Deep” in more than one way. Yankowy’s character in a way seduces Schmillen’s character in a cave in the woods, and she falls in “Deep Love” with all parts of him. 

Yankowy has also had other roles that can be related to this role, such as beast from “Beauty and the Beast.” 

“I tend to really connect with these misunderstood creatures, they have a story that needs to be told that is important,” he said. 

Yankowy started teaching at Iowa State after obtaining his masters degree this past May. He also teaches at Drake University and Grand View University. 

“I’m really excited to call Iowa State my first job and home, its a great place to develop with really talented students and devoted faculty,” Yankowy said. “And because of them I’ve been able to be flexible and do shows in Des Moines.”