Frankenstein, the film adaptation of Mary Shelley’s novel, based on Eric B. Sirota’s long-running musical, is now available on Amazon Prime Video (and other platforms). Faithful to Mary Shelley’s novel, this film is a sweeping romantic musical about the human need for love and companionship. Sirota’s empathetic and articulate Creature is not a “new take” on Frankenstein; it is the story Mary Shelley wrote. The humanity at the heart of her novel that has often been lost, is reinstated in writer/composer/physicist Eric B. Sirota’s musical adaptation.
“After reading the novel and seeing the stage play adaptation in 1981, I felt that the emotional power of the story was so intense, it needed to be expressed in music. Like Victor Frankenstein, I was a scientist working towards my degree, far from home and far from the girl I loved, and the story spoke to me both intellectually and emotionally.” Sirota commented.
This became a passion project for him, learning the craft and adapting the work faithfully to Mary Shelley’s story; yet as a 21st century work of musical theatre that only Sirota could write. But who is the protagonist? The first part is Victor’s story: Having lost his mother at a young age, Victor Frankenstein seeks to end human mortality. But while he enjoys unconditional love from Elizabeth, he grants none to his creation. When we meet the Creature upon his return, Sirota’s powerful music and entreating lyrics turn the story over to the Creature.
In Mary Shelley‘s novel, Victor Frankenstein works in isolation. He tells no one of his endeavors. He does not share it with Elizabeth, his best friend Henry, nor his teachers; and he has no assistant (i.e. “Igor” cannot exist!) This is actually key to the story since Victor’s flaw as a scientist was not “hubris” as is often said, but rather his lack of collaboration, mentorship and peer review. And in this new adaptation, that was maintained. (It is, however, NOT about the dangers of science getting out of control and destroying the world; as the victims were only those personally close to Victor.) Victor’s main flaw which led to the tragic outcome, was not about science. It was rather Victor’s lack of empathy for his creation, his child. And this film is about the human need for a love and companionship; the heart of Mary Shelley‘s story.
This thought-provoking adaptation with passionate melodies and a “Phantom-like” award-winning score, first appeared onstage Off-Broadway in NYC in 2017, and ran for 3 years until the pandemic. Then re-conceived for screen and directed by Joe LoBianco, it has gone on to win numerous film festival awards, including many for Best Original Score!
“. . . a musical love letter true to its source material”; “Sirota…imbues his show with the serious philosophical underpinnings of Shelley’s original”; “Frankenstein is alive! . . . Immerse yourself in the haunting melodies and powerful score of this romantic musical adaptation. . . it is a success of a show that should be considered something great in the realm of musical theater.” Hannah Brown commented.
