My first job ever was as a cashier behind the ticket window and concession stand at Phipps Plaza's movie theaters.  It was back when there were two big theaters downstairs and The "Penthouse" theater upstairs where "The Exorcist" showed for something like 2 years!  I can remember calling my dad from the little phone booth at the theater upstairs to let him know he could come pick me up (I was 14 -- too young to drive,) and he'd hear the ruckus in the background, "Your mother (blanks blanks) in heeeeeeelllllllllllllllllllllllllll..," and he'd say, "I can hear you're working The Exorcist again."  This was the time when a hilarious movie came out that is still one of my top five favorites to this day -- Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein."  One of the best comedic casts ever!:  The maniacal Gene Wilder, the perfectly pretty Teri Garr, the sultry and insanely funny Madeline Kahn, Marty Feldman and his two-of-a-kind eyes as Igor (pronounced eye-gore,)  Cloris Leachman in her perfect role as Frau Blucher, and the wonderful, late actor Peter Boyle (in his hunkiest role ever) as Frankenstein's monster.  Even the great Gene Hackman had a cameo, nearly unrecognizable as a blind hermit.  I've seen the movie so many times I pretty much know it by heart -- so many lines from it are absolutely classic!

So I was intrigued when I was invited to attend opening night of "Young Frankenstein," the musical last night at The Fox.  I haven't heard too much about it, so I wasn't sure what to expect.  I've got to tell you, it is fantastic!  It definitely does justice to the movie -- most of the dialogue is identical, with a few hilarious exceptions.  The cast is fabulous!  Very talented singers, actors and dancers, and the music is GREAT!  There are some very clever, original, catchy, big Broadway-type numbers, and even (the especially memorable number from the movie,) "Puttin' On the Ritz."  If you loved the movie, you'll love this musical!  The tickets are very reasonably priced, but hurry because the show is only playing through January 31st.  Get your tickets at foxtheatre.org.