Christi C. Babbitt

More than 20 years ago, Orem resident Madeline Watkins tried out for "Hotel Frankenstein" at Valley Center Playhouse.

This week, the 82-year-old Watkins is again preparing to appear in the show as Mrs. McGonigal, a role she has played for 21 years.

"It's something I like to do and it's a season play and so I just enjoy doing it," Watkins said.

Many others appear to love the show as well; producing "Hotel Frankenstein" has become a Halloween tradition at the playhouse. This is the 23rd year it has offered the show, with the repetition retained due to audience demand.

"When we think we'll stop, someone will come along and say, 'We've raised our family on "Hotel Frankenstein" and we want to bring our grandkids,' so we keep doing it," said Jody Renstrom, who owns Valley Center Playhouse with her husband, Keith.

Renstrom attributes the show's popularity to its abundance of humor and appearances by everyone's favorite Halloween monsters.

"When you go to a spook alley or something, you're through it in a half hour or 20 minutes ... this you just sit and laugh for two hours," Renstrom said.

Central to the show is Dr. Frankenstein and his search for a new brain for his monster. To attract fresh resources, he decides to turn his castle into a hotel, but attracts only one family led by a father who, as an actor, behaves nearly as strangely as the monsters in the show, Renstrom said.

In the meantime, Dracula and his wife, Natasha, are having a fight and decide to stop at the castle. The Wolfman also drops in, seeking a cure for his condition, frustrated by his inability to walk with pretty girls in the moonlight.

Cast members have come and gone, with some staying with the production for several years, but Watkins has been there the longest. She decided to enter the world of theater for the first time after Renstrom brought a performing group to a senior citizen's dinner and invited the seniors there -- including Watkins -- to come and try out for Valley Center shows.

Her first show was "I Came to Your Wedding" at Valley Center Playhouse; after that, she tried out for "Hotel Frankenstein." She has also appeared in other Valley Center productions during the past 20 years.

In "Frankenstein," Watkins plays the housekeeper and traveling companion for the family staying in the castle. She likes her costumes, a set of mismatched and outlandish clothes that includes a big, polka dot hat.

"I do some screaming in it," Watkins said. "I enjoy running in and screaming and yelling. It is a fun play."

"Hotel Frankenstein" audiences are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes; a costume parade will be held during intermission.