Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein follows Victor Frankenstein as his ambition drives him to create life from death, only for the abandoned Creature to seek revenge. Framed by the legendary night when Mary Shelley and her friends challenged one another to invent a frightening story, this adaptation places Shelley and her act of creation at the center of the drama. The production blurs the boundaries between author, storyteller, and story as an ensemble brings her gothic masterpiece to life, exploring creation, ambition, love, loss, and the consequences of abandoning what we make.

The production was adapted by David Catlin and originally premiered at Lookingglass Theatre Company in Chicago in May 2019. Chesapeake Shakespeare Company’s production is directed by Ian Gallanar and co-directed by Lizzi Albert, with a cast portraying both the real-life figures surrounding Shelley and the characters in her novel.

When: October 9 through November 1. The page also lists Saturday dress-up performances on October 10 at 2:00PM, October 17 at 8:00PM, October 24 at 2:00PM and 8:00PM, October 31 at 2:00PM and 8:00PM, and November 7, 2026 at 2:00PM and 8:00PM.

Special performances and events: A pre-show talk, “My Hideous Progeny”: Mary Shelley and the Making of Frankenstein, takes place Sunday, October 11 at 1:15PM in the Middendorf Lounge on the theatre’s first mezzanine. Professor Orianne Smith of UMBC discusses Shelley’s life, relationships, British Romanticism, Gothic literature, and the circumstances that inspired Frankenstein, followed by a question-and-answer session.

A post-show cast Q&A is scheduled for Friday, October 16. On Sunday, October 18 at 1:15PM, dramaturg Molly Horton Booth leads a pre-show talk about the historical and creative ideas behind the play, including the relationship between Victor and the Creature. Directors Ian Gallanar and Lizzi Albert lead a pre-show Q&A on Sunday, October 25 at 1:15PM.

Accessible performance: The Friday, October 23 performance includes optional live audio description for patrons who are blind or have low vision. Description is delivered through personal headsets using the LiveVoice app and does not alter the theatre’s main audio.

Dress-up performances: Costumes are encouraged at every Saturday performance. Guests are asked not to bring prop weapons or anything that could be mistaken for a real weapon, or that could obstruct another patron’s view or experience.

Cast: Vince Eisenson portrays Percy Bysshe Shelley, an English Romantic poet and Mary’s future husband, as well as Victor Frankenstein. Fabiolla Da Silva portrays Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, the English writer who will create Frankenstein, and Elizabeth Lavenza, Victor’s adopted sister and future lover. Dawn Thomas Reidy portrays Claire Clairmont, Mary’s stepsister and the mother of Lord Byron’s daughter Allegra, as well as Victor and William’s mother and Elizabeth’s adoptive mother. Joshua Williams portrays Lord Byron, a major English Romantic poet, and the Creature, made from the parts of the dead and abandoned by Victor. Jose O. Guzman portrays John Polidori, the English writer and doctor who will write The Vampyre; Walton, the sea captain who encounters Victor; Henry Clerval, Victor and Elizabeth’s friend; and De Lacey, Felix’s blind father.

Understudies: Ali Haas, Charlie Junkins, and Ethan Larsen.

Creative team: Ian Gallanar is the director, Lizzi Albert is the co-director, Lauren Engler is the production manager, and Alexis E. Davis is the production stage manager. Dan O’Brien is the technical director; Shartoya R. Jn. Baptiste designed the set; Katie McCreary designed the lighting; Kristina Lambdin designed the costumes; and Adam Mendelson designed the sound. Mika Nakano is the props artisan, Dawn Thomas Reidy is the production associate, Molly Horton Booth is the dramaturg, and David Norris is the dialect coach. Mel Gabel choreographed the fights and intimacy, Hannah Brill designed the hair, wigs, and makeup and supervises wardrobe, Andi Pfluger is the board operator, Bernard Johnson is the assistant stage manager, Faith Singletary is the scenic assistant, and Brandon W. Vernon is the graphic and theatre experience designer.

Venue: Chesapeake Shakespeare Company Theatre, 7 S. Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202. The Middendorf Lounge is on the first mezzanine.

Parking: Street meters generally cost $2.75 per hour, with coins or credit accepted; evening and weekend restrictions vary by street, so guests should read posted signs. The ProPark Garage at 204 E. Lombard Street has a 7-foot height limit and offers a $7 show rate with a theatre voucher. The garage is automated, has no attendant on site, and is entered by pedestrians from E. Lombard Street. Guests should retain their garage ticket to re-enter after the performance.

Tickets: Price not available

Box office: The box office can be reached at 410-244-8570 or boxoffice@chesapeakeshakespeare.com, Tuesday through Friday from 10AM to 4PM.