LINDON — As surely as the full moon rises and witches and monsters stalk the streets of Utah County each October, so does the curtain rise on "Hotel Frankenstein," at the Valley Center Playhouse, 780 N. 200 East.
It's a quirky little show, according to Valley Center Playhouse owner Keith Renstrom, but it has a large following.
"We look at it every year wondering what we should do," Renstrom said. "After 20 years we were going to drop it. We had so many patrons complain when we didn't put it on our (season) program we had to put it on again."
It has been 24 years since the Renstrom family, on a recommendation, took a ride to the old Green Briar theater on Redwood Road in Salt Lake City to see "Hotel Frankenstein," written by then-BYU-student Michael Goodman.
"It was a super family show. A clean, wholesome Halloween show with no blood and guts or scary skeletons," Renstrom said. This October is the 23rd season for Hotel Frankenstein and Renstrom predicts it will continue for more years.
"We just kept doing it and doing it and doing it," he said. Some patrons make it a Halloween tradition. Renstrom says he'll give anyone who's attended for 20 years free tickets from then on. The first year of the show he traded tickets for costumes that two young ladies were selling at a garage sale. Both came faithfully every year.
"One died in our 20th year, but the other still comes. I told her she can come free for as long as she wants."
Not only do the patrons tout longevity, but some cast members do, too. Madeline Watkins, now 82, joined the cast its second year. While sets, costumes and even some characters have changed, Renstrom says Watkins has remained constant. She has played Mrs. McGonigal for 21 years straight. "She's a real kick in the pants," Renstrom adds.
The show is full of pratfalls, slapstick comedy and plain fun. It features Dr. Frankenstein searching for a brain with little success. He ends up turning his castle into a hotel. The Woodknocker family is looking for a place to vacation — you get the idea. The only problem is, after looking the family over, Frankenstein determines there isn't a good brain in the lot — then the plot thickens.
Along with all the show's regular features is the traditional nightly costume parade during intermission. Patrons are encouraged to wear costumes to the show and parade on stage. Each patron in costume is introduced to the rest of the audience.
The parade "is a show in itself," Renstrom said.
With the theater having only 165 seats, there are many nights near the end of the run when the show sells out. Renstrom suggests getting tickets now. Shows are Thursday-Saturday and Monday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $6 general admission and $5 for students, children and senior citizens. A $25 family pass is also available. Children under 4 years and babes in arms are not allowed. Call 785-1186 for information or reservations.