“Young Frankenstein”, a musical directed by Mel Brooks and written by both Brooks and Gene Wilder, is based on the 1970’s movie of the same name, which was a parody of the 1931 film “Frankenstein.” The production cost $16 million, which at the time was one of the more expensive ever mounted for a Broadway musical. Originally, the show’s premium tickets were selling at a face value of $450, but following criticism and slowing sales, producers slashed prices and sold them at heavy discounts including $50 for some seats. And although “Young Frankenstein” was ranked the fifth highest-selling of all shows, its dollar sales were less than half of what they were three months prior.

The comedy follows Brooks’ other big theater hit, “The Producers”, but has not been as successful. “Young Frankenstein” premiered on Broadway on November 8, 2007, but the musical only lasted a little over a year, or 484 performances, closing January 4, 2009. The musical will resume again in Providence, Rhode Island on September, 2009 for its U.S. Tour.