Young Frankenstein and 13 To Close January

Yet another of the big musicals has posted its Broadway closing notice: Young Frankenstein will shutter on January 4, 2009. Like the soon-to-be-closing Hairspray and Spamalot, Young Frankenstein is one of those shows popular with tourists looking for a big, splashy Broadway musical. But unlike Wicked and Jersey Boys, these shows have long had middling ticket sales, meaning that the current economic woes are just too much for them to survive on Broadway. The much newer musical, 13, is also ending its run on January 4. With the cold, quiet winter months ahead, many Broadway producers have decided to pack it in right after the popular Christmas holiday, knowing that ticket sales will dip considerably in the New Year.

Broadway's Frankenstein Tops OCC Noms

The Outer Critics Circle nominations have been announced, and there are a lot of surprises. The Mel Brooks musical Young Frankenstein, which was generally dismissed by the Broadway industry and critical community, topped the OCC's list with 10 nominations. Meanwhile, the Broadway revival of Les Liaisons Dangereuses, which has not yet opened but has had quite a bit of negative word-of-mouth, received more nominations (nine) than any other play. Surprising snubs included a lack of an Outstanding New Broadway Musical nod for Passing Strange and no acting nominations for many worthy cast members from August: Osage County (only Deanna Dunagan was recognized). The OCC did, however, give plenty of recognition to the hit Broadway revival of South Pacific, which got eight nominations.

Mel Brooks Signs Young Frankenstein CDs At Broadway B&N Today

Mel Brooks, co-writer and composer of Broadway's Young Frankenstein, will make an appearance at Barnes & Noble bookstore in New York City today, from 5:00-7:00pm. Brooks will be signing copies of the musical's original Broadway cast recording. Barnes & Noble is located at 1972 Broadway (at 66th Street).

Original Broadway Cast Recording For Young Frankenstein Musical Now Available On CD

The original Broadway cast album for the new Mel Brooks musical Young Frankenstein has just been released. Although the Brooks-penned score may be this glitzy Broadway show's weakest feature, the CD does boast performances from some of Broadway's most talented actor/singers, including Roger Bart, Sutton Foster, Megan Mullaly, Christopher Fitzgerald, and Shuler Hensley.