Attleboro Community Theatre (ACT) presents The People vs. Frankenstein by Nicola Cuti and Kevin M. Glover. Things aren’t always what they seem, and the truth is about to be put on trial. The legendary creature stands accused, but is he truly a monster, or a victim of fear and misunderstanding? As the courtroom drama unfolds, the lines between justice and prejudice blur. There is horror right in the courtroom with this new take on Mary Shelley’s timeless and influential classic, set in the late 18th century, following a scientist’s creation of life and the terrible events precipitated by the eventual abandonment of his creation.
A cunning Southern attorney, Cornwall Bellini, and a tenacious lab assistant, Olivia Hoffner, join forces to defend the legendary monster charged with the murder of Dr. Frankenstein. Director Anthony J. Cox not only designed the courtroom set, but also doubles as the egotistic, odious Bellini, who defends the monster. In court, the sympathetic lab assistant, adeptly portrayed by Ruthie Withers, sits at the defense table in support of Maxwell Berg (aka Frankenstein’s monster). She brings compassion to the table, even when her loyalties start to waver. Geoff White doesn’t speak much in his role of monster Max, but his breathy grunts and chilling wild-eyed stares say it all.
Cox says, “For me, this play is all about me taking the time to allow for due process— something I fear a large majority of society has forgotten to do, whether it’s in a court of law, the court of public opinion, or weighing the scales of morality and ethics within ourselves. As you watch the story unfold, think about the judgments you’re making, why you’re making them, and what scales you’re using.”
The part of Petra— the ‘bride’ of Max— is portrayed by Marissa Simas. She is a force to be reckoned with! Simas, an ACT veteran, not only adds comic relief with her accented attitude, but is a maverick vixen you can’t take your eyes off of.
Horror and Sci-fi aficionados may catch the references to Shelley’s novel, as well as Star Trek: The Next Generation’s episode entitled “The Measure of a Man.” In this episode, the rights of android officer Lt. Commander Data are threatened by a scientist who wants to dismantle him and produce replicas. Captain Picard argues in a Starfleet court for Data’s right of self-determination, not to be declared mere property of Starfleet, while Commander Riker is obliged to argue on behalf of the scientist. Sound familiar?
“From ACT’s standpoint and mine as Artistic Director,” says ACT Producer Jay Burns, The People vs. Frankenstein was the right choice because it gave us a new take on a classic story. As a world premiere, it has been wonderful collaborating with Kevin Glover— one of the writers— and seeing this story bloom as actors and designers bring it to life.”
The People VS Frankenstein runs through March 16. Simulated gunshot sounds. For information, call (508) 226-8100 or visit www.attleborocommunitytheatre.net.