The start of autumn means different things to different people. For some, it means its time to start layering jackets over jackets and to crank up the heating, to others it means football season is well underway and should be the focus of every small talk conversation, and to others it means its time to stock up on pumpkin spice everything (pumpkin spice deodorant, anyone?). Still, to others, fall means its time for horror and fright to begin its month of reign.
The Aquila Theatre seems solidly in the final camp, and we are lucky enough to have them bringing their passion for the dark and macabre to the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center with their production based on Mary Shelley’s famous novel, Frankenstein.
Here are five reasons why seeing the Aquila Theatre troupe’s production of Frankenstein should be on your bucket list:
- The original novel Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus dives deep into contentious topics such as the morality of trying to play God by creating life, the use of labeling and discrimination on marginalized individuals, the long-standing debate of nature vs. nurture, and what it means to be human.
- It’s part of the bicentennial celebration of the first publication of the novel. Despite being two centuries old, this work continues to inspire articles, books, movies—Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Edward Scissorhands, to name a few—through its timeless themes, rich plot, and compelling characters.
- In its mission to bring classical drama to as many people as possible, the Aquila Theatre troupe has visited London, the White House, and performed Off-Broadway—and now they are bringing their work here to the Debartolo Performing Arts Center.
- Love Ex Machina? Questions surrounding the ethics of artificial intelligence are weaved right into the fabric of this work despite the technology being centuries away from the time of its writing.
- It’s almost Halloween. And what better way is there to kick off your spooky festivities for the year than seeing a performance of what is likely the most famous horror story to date?
Whether you are looking for something thought-provoking, entertaining, unsettling, or all three—the Aquila Theatre’s Frankenstein is sure to bring your desires to life.
