Meet Frederick Fronkensteen

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Actor Sean Fortunato (TV’s Fargo) discusses playing the iconic role of Frederick Frankenstein in the Mercury Theater Chicago production of Young Frankenstein, Mel Brooks’s musical version of his own legendary film, co-written by and starring the great Gene Wilder. Fortunato talks about the enviable range of roles he’s been able to play (from Malvolio to Otto Frank to Willy Wonka); how they navigate some of the 50-year-old jokes; the challenges and rewards of playing in venues of varying sizes; how he approaches comedy from a place of seriousness and sincerity; and the glory of channeling Gene Wilder’s spirit, rather than copying his specific performance. (Length 15:13) (PICTURED: Sean Fortunato as Frederick, Ryan Stajmier as Igor, and Andrew MacNaughton as the Creature in the Mercury Theater Chicago production of Young Frankenstein, directed by L. Walter Stearns. Photo by Liz Lauren.)

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