‘Young Frankenstein’
Where: Kennedy Center Opera House
When: Through Jan. 10
Info: $37 to $150; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
Rockville’s own Brad Oscar is thrilled to play the Kennedy Center for the first time in his busy career. The 2001 Tony Award nominee for best featured actor created the role of Nazi playwright Franz Liebkind in the Broadway production of “The Producers” and later settled into one of the two roles he understudied — that of wily producer Max Bialystock opposite Matthew Broderick as Leo Bloom.
He comes home this week in the newest Mel Brooks musical, “Young Frankenstein,” as both Inspector Kemp and the Blind Hermit. The all-star cast includes Tony Award winners Roger Bart and Shuler Hensley reprising their original roles of Dr. Frankenstein and the Monster. Ever adaptable, Oscar easily manages the logistics of costume and makeup changes for his two characters. Critics and fans agree the scene in which his Hermit entertains the Monster is the zaniest in the show.
“I got it all down the first week, and since I’m mostly Inspector Kemp, the Hermit is a quick in and out,” he said. “The audience often doesn’t know that I play two roles until the great final curtain call when one costume is transformed into the other.”
The show’s Kennedy Center opening marks his second visit to Washington in as many weeks, the first as jolly old Santa Claus at the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the Mall. Joined by his sister Victoria playing Mrs. Claus, he enjoyed meeting the first family before winging back to Chicago for last few days of the touring company’s run in that city.
Both Oscars are proud to be products of little Washington-area theaters and enthusiastic encouragement from family and teachers. Since embarking on professional careers, each has cut a notable swath in the business. Just as Victoria gravitates to characters like Miss Hannigan in “Annie,” her brother is equally partial to roles that spread outrageous fun across the footlights.
From his Broadway debut in “Aspects of Love,” followed by “Jekyll and Hyde,” Brad Oscar was catapulted into plum roles in “The Producers,” racking up an amazing 1,000-plus performances as Max. During side trips to Arena Stage, he cavorted as the Devil (Mr. Applegate) in “Damn Yankees,” as the Master of Ceremonies in “Cabaret” and played multiple roles in “The Mystery of Irma Vep.” Elsewhere, he starred as Oliver Webb in the benefit special “On the Twentieth Century,” played the title role of the musical “Barnum” and romped in the touring company of Eric Idle’s “Spamalot” as Concorde, Dennis’ Mother and Sir Bedevere.
“I’ve had encouragement from teachers since Doris Anderson, the librarian at Wheaton Woods Elementary School, drew out my love of the theater in puppet shows and a little play we did together,” he said. “I must have been either dreadfully precocious or obnoxious for her to take an interest. During the 1970s and ’80s, the JCC in Rockville had an amazing theater program for children, and some of my closest friends today are kids I met there at 12 and 13.
“When I graduated from Boston University and moved to New York, I was told that being a character actor would make me more employable the older I got. That proved to be true,” he continued. “After receiving the Tony nomination, I got on the radar of casting directors. What I love about working in a Mel Brooks show is hearing the sound of laughter and realizing what an effect we have on an audience. It’s pure gold.”
