(MADISON, NJ) -- The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) presents Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, written by David Catlin, from October 22 through November 16, 2025 at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre. On a stormy night in 1816, Mary Shelley gave birth to one of literature's most haunting and enduring legends...
In Catlin's daring, meta-gothic adaptation, Shelley herself steps into the narrative, her own passions and dreams intertwined with the fateful journey of Victor Frankenstein and the Creature.
STNJ Artistic Director Brian B. Crowe steps into the role of director for the production, voicing much excitement for the play's electrifying stagecraft. "Part gothic horror, part psychological examination of morality, this adaptation brings Shelley's masterpiece to life and infuses it with the complex world of its brilliant author. Audiences can expect all the chills and thrills that are the hallmark of Shelley's grotesque tale, as well as several electrifying surprises along the way."
The Morning Show actress Amber Friendly portrays leading lady Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin (later Mary Shelley) who weaves her fantastic tale with the aid of the other notable guests on that fated evening in 1816 — Dr. John Polidori, Claire Clairmont, Lord Byron, and Percy Bysshe Shelley. Neil Redfield (Gilded Age) plays Dr. John Polidori. Brooke Turner appears as Mary's stepsister, Claire Clairmont.
The evening's mercurial host, Lord Byron, will be played by Chicago-based actor Jay Wade, who also embodies Frankenstein's Creature. Sean-Michael Wilkinson (American Horror Story: 1984) plays opposite Friendly in the double role of Mary's lover Percy Shelley and her titular creation Victor Frankenstein.
The production team includes set designer Sarah Beth Hall; costume designer Yao Chen; lighting designer Andrew Hungerford; sound designer Ariana Cardoza; intimacy and fight director Rocio Mendez; and vocal & dialect coach Julie Foh. Jackie Mariani is the production stage manager, with Alayna Domboski and Keys Newell rounding out the stage management team.
Single tickets for Mary Shelley's Frankenstein begin at $44 for preview performances and begin at $51 for regular performances. Prices range from $44 to $82. The Theatre offers a variety of other cost-saving opportunities, including $25 student tickets with a valid student ID and a limited number of Pay What You Will tickets for every performance on a first-come, first-serve basis. STNJ also has a $30 under 30 ticket option, which offers $30 tickets for patrons aged 30 and under, with valid ID. Other discounts are available including subscription discounts; and 10% discounts for members of PBS/Thirteen, Active Military, Madison Loyalty Club card holders, and AAA members. STNJ also honors the Family First Discovery Pass for families receiving benefits through SNAP, WIC, or Work First New Jersey. For tickets, patrons can call the Box Office at (973) 408-5600 or visit ShakespeareNJ.org.
Patrons are encouraged to check out these special events connected with the production:
* Pay What You CAN Food Drive — Wednesday, October 22nd starting at 7:00pm. Bring two canned goods and pay $10 admission at the Box Office.
* Drew Night — Friday, October 24th starting at 6:30pm. An exclusive pre-show lounge for the Drew University campus community
* Opening Night — Saturday, October 25th at 7:30pm. Celebrate with champagne at intermission and a post-show reception.
* Symposium Series #1 — Tuesday, October 28th following performance. Engage with the cast during a lively post-show chat.
* Know-the-Show Series— Thursday, October 30th starting at 6:45pm. Learn about the playwright and the production from the Artistic Team prior to the show.
The performance on October 30th will also include Closed-Captioning for patrons who require those services.
* The Monster Mash — Friday, October 31st starting at 6:30pm. A spooky, festive pre-show event! Fun prizes and yummy nibbles included.
* Symposium Series #2 — Saturday, November 1st following matinee performance. Engage with the cast during a lively post-show chat.
* Sensory Seminar— Thursday, November 6th starting at 6:30pm. Get a hands-on experience at the Theatre, designed for Blind/low-vision patrons. The performance on November 6th will also include Audio Description for patrons who require those services.
* Hobnob & Hang — Friday, November 7th following performance. Mix and mingle with fellow theatre lovers after the show!
* Symposium Series #3— Saturday, November 8th following matinee performance. Engage with the cast during a lively post-show chat.
* Storefront To Stage — Friday, November 14th starting at 6:30pm. Connect with your local businesses before the show and during intermission.
In this production of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, the character of Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin is sponsored by Mary Martinez.
The 2025 Student Matinee Series is generously sponsored by Marta & David Black.
The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) is one of the leading Shakespeare theatres in the nation, serving approximately 75,000 adults and children annually. It is New Jersey's largest professional theatre company dedicated to Shakespeare's canon and other classic masterworks. Through its productions and education programs the company strives to illuminate the universal and lasting relevance of the classics for contemporary audiences.
The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's programs are made possible, in part, by funding from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional major support is received from the F.M. Kirby Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, The Edward T. Cone Foundation, The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New York, CTW Foundation, The Samuel H. Scripps Foundation, Union Foundation, E.J. Grassmann Trust, Hyde, and Watson Foundation, Jack K. Ayre and Frank Ayre Lee Theatre Foundation, The John R. Eckel Jr. Foundation, Turrell Fund, The Merrill G. and Emita E. Hastings Foundation, and the Howard Gilman Foundation, as well as contributions from numerous other foundations, corporations, government agencies, and individuals.
