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originally published: 06/01/2023 

Producers John Lant and Tamra Pica have announced that a film adaptation of their Off-Broadway hit musical, Frankenstein, by New Jersey-based composer/playwright Eric B. Sirota, has been released and available to stream on StreamingMusicals.com.  It was recently re-imagined for the screen in what is an exciting new hybrid between a stage performance and a movie musical, with an expanded and orchestrated score.

Later this year, Avail Films will release a DVD version of Frankenstein, which will also feature a "Behind the Scenes” bonus feature which includes extended interviews with the cast and crew.

Eric B. Sirota’s musical is based on the novel, Frankenstein; or The Modern Prometheus by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley.  With book, music and lyrics by Eric B. Sirota, it is a sweeping romantic musical about the human need for love and companionship.  Published in 1818, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein recently celebrated its bicentennial, and this musical honors its source material as a contemporary work of musical theatre.

The cast is led by Daniel Robert Burns (Victor Frankenstein), Marc Christopher (Creature), Grace Hwoang (Elizabeth Lavenza), Tim Bacskai (Henry Clerval), Ren King (Innkeeper), Jay Lucas Chacon (Innkeepr), Daryl Glenn (Victor’s Father) and Lauren Coccaro (Justine), with Julie McNamara, Isaiah Delgado, Rebecca Ponticello and Melissa Cathcart.

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is one of the few classic novels still frequently read, especially in schools,  There is a discount for group licensing, good for both group showing or individual access for each person, details of which can be found on the website.

 

Advertise with New Jersey Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info

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This movie is produced by John Lant and Tamra Pica in collaboration with Write Act Repertory, Tin Mirror Productions and Gatehouse Entertainment.  It was reimagined and restaged by John Lant for the film medium directed by Joe LoBianco, with technical consultant Tom DiOrio and fellow producers Maarten Cornelis, Eric B. Sirota and Cara London.

The musical director is Kent Jeong Eun Kim, with orchestrations by Kent Jeong Eun Kim, Jinhyoung Kim & Eric B. Sirota.

In addition to this film adaptation of Frankenstein, John Lant with Write Act Corporation and XIMER Productions, in association with Tin Mirror Productions, are currently editing screen captures of XIMER the Musical, from the live performances of its Off-Broadway world premiere production.

JOHN LANT (PRODUCER) - John is a 40-year veteran in the entertainment industry and has been involved in over 700 television, film, music tours, and theatrical productions as a creative producer / director, consultant, and showrunner. An award-winning producer, director, writer, lighting and set designer, John has mounted productions at Cal Arts, Ricardo Montalban, Powerhouse, Long Beach Playhouse, Glendale Center, Hollywood Playhouse, LATC, Ivy Substation, the Jewel Box Theatres and Write Act Repertory in LA. His work and productions garnered Drama-Logue, Diamond, ADA, NAACP Awards, LA Weekly and Backstage Picks of the Week, Garland, Valley Theatre (LA) nominations and receiving the California Service Award from the State Legislature for his Community Outreach and Service to the Arts in 2000, 2001, 2008 and 2009. He has produced 17 Off-Broadway Plays and is currently the Producing Artistic Director of Write act Repertory and is a TRU Board, APAP Presenter, and Associate SDC Member. He currently lives in New York, worked at Carnegie Hall for 13 years pre-COVID, and out of producing offices here and in LA.

TAMRA PICA (PRODUCER) - Tamra's theater and television work spans 35 years with credits ranging from prop designer to producer of plays, musicals, dance, and ice shows. She's produced over 15 Off-Broadway productions including the long-running Frankenstein, Swing, and Lili Marlene and LA premieres most recently: Path to Catherine. Alongside theater, Tamra's production, casting, and development television work can be seen for companies such as Disney, Sony, Cartoon Network, NBC Studios, TBS, CBS, MTV, ABC and FOX. TV/Film Producing credits include America's Prince: The JFK Junior Story, Venice the Series, and she casts projects for theater, film and television in both New York and Los Angeles. 

JOE LOBIANCO (DIRECTOR) - Joe is an award winning film Director and Director of Photography for feature and short films. As a director of film and music Joe started his career working for commercial clients such as the NY Jets, Bloomingdales and IBM. Joe’s photography has also been featured throughout the world and has circulated to millions. Joe directed the full length feature film 3 Doors From Paradise now in worldwide distribution, the short films Quality Control and multiple award winning Dinner For Two. TV shows include The Toronto ArtHouse Film Festival Awards, the MMA show ChokeHold. He is also the director of photography for the children’s show Funikijam and Art Garfunkel music videos and promos as well as Off-Broadway plays such as Ximer. Joe was also the editor on the multiple award winning documentary Keeping Christmas.

ERIC B. SIROTA (BOOK, MUSIC AND LYRICS) - Eric is a composer and playwright, having written 5 full-length musicals. He studied musical composition in college and is an established and highly published research scientist with a PhD in Physics.  His musical, “Frankenstein,” played Off-Broadway at St. Luke’s Theatre for 3 years. His musical “Your Name on My Lips” had two productions at Theatre for the New City, where Sirota was a resident playwright. In 2019, he was the recipient of the Denis Diderot Artists-in-Residence grant to attend the Chateau Orquevaux residency where he wrote “A Good Day - (Music, memory, an old flame and Alzheimer’s),” which is currently in development.  As composer (with librettist Vin Morreale Jr.), he wrote "A Day at the White House", which is slated for a production this fall. Other works include The Flemington Oratorio and a dramatic musical setting of Unetane Tokef.