John Sunder and Micah Cochran star as creator and creation in Frankenstein.
The novel “Frankenstein,” by Mary Shelley, published in 1818, has been referred to as the beginning of the science fiction genre. Throughout the years there have been many interpretations and iterations of “Frankenstein,” from musicals, to movies starring all sorts of A-list celebrities (like Daniel Radcliffe and James McAvoy in “I, Frankenstein” in 2015). A wikipedia page with an entire list of all of the films and tv shows boasts over 100 adaptations.
I can say with confidence that Anya Klumpenhower’s adaptation of the novel for her Capstone was extremely well done. Klumpenhower had a way of staging the show that drew the audience in, pulling the audience alongside Victor (played by John Sunder ‘24) and the Creature (played by Micah Cochran ‘24) through the story.
Using various fabrics and lighting techniques, Klumpenhower was able to engineer dozens of settings, from the icy arctic where Captain Walton’s (played by Tallis Finch ‘26) ship was slowly making its journey, to the gruesome workshop where Victor Frankenstein assembled his creature and brought him to life. Each setting was established clearly with a warm firelight glow to mimic a house or with a blood red haze of lighting across the stage to show the horrors that Victor was creating.
The cast was filled with students from all years; Sarah Wynn Caston ‘26 who played Victor’s love interest, Elizabeth, conveyed the heartbreak and emotions of the character beautifully. Justine was played by Luisa Monteiro-Oliveira ‘25, the family friend of the Frankensteins. As for the entire Frankenstein family, Samuel Hammock ‘24 played Alphones, the patriarch; Emily Boer ‘26, the mother; and Lily Och ‘25, played one of the younger brothers alongside Caitie Barns ‘26.
The show was well attended and received. Every student I have spoken to gave it glowing reviews. Bianca Carvalho ‘26 said, “I thought Frankenstein was incredible! Everyone was so talented and convincing. It reminded me of how incredible our Creator is, seeing the brokenness of a human creator made me think of our Creator, because even though He has every reason to look down upon us, He reaches down and gives us a new identity.”
Klumpenhower’s decision to do Frankenstein as her capstone subject for her play was an amazing one, and all of the work that she put into creating the show was seen in the ease at which the actors on stage portrayed the characters. If you didn’t have the chance to see it, you really missed out.