The Daily Herald

LINDON -- "Hotel Frankenstein" returns for its 20th season at Valley Center Playhouse in Lindon.

It must be time for Halloween as the cast prepares the spooky but hilarious production written by Michael Goodman, of Salt Lake City.

Each year Playhouse owners Keith and Jody Renstrom ask, "Are we gonna do it again?"

"Oh yes, let's do it again," said cast members.

"Many families come every year and some see it several times a year," Keith said. "People have raised their families on this show."

Peter Van Orman, of Orem, is donning his mad scientist garb for the 15th year as Dr. Frankenstein.

"My kids enjoyed it," he said. "Now the grandkids are watching it. It's a role you can let loose and let the energy flow."

Jody laughed and said, "Peter was a young man when he started 15 years ago and we had to 'gray' his hair. Now we say, 'Well, Peter, we don't have to spray your hair anymore.' "

A little more laughter than usual was had at Van Orman's expense a few years ago when his character Frankenstein was dragging a passed-out Wolfman.

"I have to stuff him into the coffin," the actor said. "When I bent over to pick him up, my pants split. It gave new meaning to the phrase 'full moon.' "

Van Orman keeps returning to his part so he can control the monster. "He's obsessed with trying to create the monster, digging up graves, pulling up body parts, switching brains," he said.

Equally engrossing is the part of Egor which Kent Flowers, of Orem, has played for 10 years.

"This year, particularly, is going to be a fun year with an all-star cast -- members who have been together over the years," Flowers said. "It will be like old home week."

Egor's head is banged against the coffin repeatedly during the performance. "I get this whiplash," he said. "I used to wear a wig but one time the wig flipped off into the audience." Now he forgoes the wig.

Madeline Watkins beats out both Van Orman and Flowers in number of years. She's played Mrs. McGonigal for 18 seasons.

The great-grandma said, "I'm 79 years old -- I didn't get started in play-acting until I was in my 60s. I look forward every year to 'Hotel Frankenstein.' "

She proudly points to 10 trophies. One is a pool trophy she won, eight are from "Hotel Frankenstein" and the other from another play.

"I lost my script a long time ago," Watkins said. "I just remembered them all those years."

Natasha, Count Dracula's wife, is played by Kelli Pratt for the eighth year; she's directing the production for the fourth time.

Kelly Stone plays Julius Woodknocker for the sixth year. Stone not only has longevity, he goes the distance. At first he drove in from Salt Lake City, then Ogden and now Roy.

Renstrom children acquired a love for the play, too. When daughter Julie was 10 she learned the Translavanian accent better than anyone. Son Mike dragged his foot like Egor does since age 3. He got a chance to play him one time at 14 when the actor couldn't make it. Mike plays Wolfman this year.

"People of Utah like Halloween and want to go places. This is better than a spook alley or haunted house," Jody said.

Karen Hoag can be reached at 344-2542 or khoag@heraldextra.com.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page C1.