←Recommendations of A FRANKENSTEIN STORY

[2024-11-02]

What Monica Cross has achieved in this lyrical retelling of Frankenstein is nothing short of magical. The staging, sound and lighting are a designer's dream, but the dialogue between the Creator and the Creation sets this apart from any adaptation of Mary Shelley's novel that you've ever seen. The verse crackles and the ideas — about God, love, duty and so much more — propel these two to their inevitable conclusion. I loved this play and audiences will too. Bravo!

Cross is a tremendous adapter, leaving me gobsmacked how she outdoes herself with every new subject. Her riff on Shelley's iconic tale is a tight, briskly paced tour de force for two actors. These are infectious takes on classic characters, with so much nuance and (if you'll pardon the wink) meat to dive into. Full of beautiful language and exchanges, comfortable in the silences, and heart-wrenchingly evocative in all the right places, this is a brilliant one-act for a small team.

10/16/24 Monica Cross has applied her fantastic skill to this timeless story of reckless hubris and delicate humanity. Her mastery of language is undeniable as she exposes the raw nerves of both creators and creation. This is a stellar play that captivates, moves, and illuminates.

We have seen many versions of Mary Shelley's novel since it was published over 200 years ago, from James Whale's 1931 iconic film version to the hilarious Mel Brooks take in 1974, so we know the story. Monica Cross has distilled it to a tightly focused two-hander that examines with great care the relationship between the Creator and the Creation. It goes beyond the tropes and and the jokes and brings out the contrast in brilliant detail and power. Stunning work. (10/15/24)

"Creation: A Frankenstein Story" by Monica Cross is a blend of the original book with a theatrical emphasis of character study. We feel strongly that the "monster" is not a monster -- and we are called to examine the "monster" inside of us.

10/14/24: Adaptations are so commonplace that you would think we would have produced more masters of the art. Monica Cross asserts herself as one such master, an artist capable of both evocative scene-craft and elevated language who can at once retell a known story and make it entirely her own. "Creation: A Frankenstein Story" is a compact and compelling two-hander with a lot to say about the relationship between a creator and his creation, between parents and children, between Gods and men.

Faithful enough to be familiar but unique enough to consistently surprise an audience, this subtle, spare subversion of the Frankenstein story is a language-rich, engaging, deeply emotional read! It is fast-moving, lyrical, and devastating (in the best way), and never, ever stagnant. The dialogue was so moving and well-crafted. The ambiance is rich and perfect for the Autumn season! The final melancholy notes will resonate like church bells. This is a stunning adaptation worthy of production!