If you are looking to get away from the chaos of the world today, Davis Musical Theatre will take you back to the year 1934, where chaos of a different kind entertains us in Mel Brooks’ comedic musical Young Frankenstein. This show, based on the hilarious 1974 movie starring Gene Wilder who also wrote with Mel Brooks, was laugh-out-loud funny on so many levels and so well written, you can’t help but love every minute of it.

The story begins with a jubilant village of Transylvanians thrilled that all the Frankenstein family are finally dead, because they won’t have to worry about any more monsters being created in their town. However, they soon learn of the mad scientist’s long-lost grandson working as a medical school professor in New York City. The villagers dismiss the idea that a successful doctor would ever want to come to their village. Unfortunately, their fear arises again as the young, sadistic Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (J. Sing) receives a telegram telling him he has inherited the estate of his famous grandfather, Victor von Frankenstein (Isaiah Bent) and must immediately sail to Transylvania to settle the affairs. He leaves his gorgeous but “untouchable” fiancé, Elizabeth Benning (Rachele Wurr), to be greeted by villagers hostile to his grandfather’s work.

Followed by this, he is encouraged by other strange opportunistic characters to resume his grandfather’s research. He tries to create a new, intelligent monster (Rob Hayes), but threatens the local town and endangers his own beloved fiancé in the process. Sing expertly plays his role while he evolves into a much more sympathetic, selfless and mature scientist while rolling with the punches throughout the show.

“Roll in the Hay” added a bit of multimedia to the show with a projection of entertaining video that showed the sites along the way to the castle whilst Frederick‘s new voluptuous assistant Inga (Cassie Mosher) and Igor his stooge (Eduard Arakelyan) sang their hearts out and had great comedic timing. Mosher plays her part perfectly and is an excellent singer while Arakelyan skulks around the stage portraying the grotesque but happy humpback. Even the horses (Sierra Sheehan and Jackie Taylor) have a recurring squealing neigh whenever a certain mysterious violin-playing female is mentioned.

Standout Dannette Vassar’s portrayal of Frau Blucher was phenomenal, especially in the sexy but disturbing song “He Vas My Boyfriend” as she described the brutal, clandestine relationship between herself and the older now deceased Victor. Speaking of Victor with his crazy larger-than-life hair, “Join the Family Business” was also a wonderful dream scene song and dance number where all the dead ancestors came to life again to convince the young Frankenstein to continue creating monsters. It was reminiscent of Tevye’s dream from Fiddler on the Roof. And as Frederick says in the scene after he wakes up, “Boy, can they dance!”

Special effects were impressive, as the laboratory scene featured a rising table with the monster on it. The anticipation grew during “Life, Life,” followed by the ensemble’s iconic Frankenstein choreography in the jazzy song “Welcome to Transylvania.” More Brooks comedy genius came through with the blind hermit (Joel Porter) and Hayes’ pantomime cracking everyone up.

The familiar Hollywood number “Puttin’ On the Ritz,” with choreography by Kat Folsom, featured excellent tap dancing by the ensemble and the over 7-foot-tall monster. Then the song we can’t get out of our heads, “Deep Love,” sung first by Wurr, who really nailed it, then by Hayes, and then by the whole cast, made it “hard” for the cast to finish the show as it was really that FUNNY.

Director Steve Isaacson, music director Tonya Whitson-Whennen, full orchestra, and choreographer Logan Sexton should be very proud of this show. So, if you don’t mind a sore gut from rolling on the floor laughing, you gotta go see Young Frankenstein.

The shows run now through March 30, on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at DMTC.org.