Inland Valley Repertory Theatre Brings Monstrous Fun to the Lewis Family Playhouse with Mel Brooks’ Musical ''Young Frankenstein'' in October

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA — Inland Valley Repertory Theatre (IVRT) returns to the Lewis Family Playhouse this fall with a production of the Mel Brooks Musical, Young Frankenstein. Based on the Oscar-nominated 1974 comedy film, this stage adaptation brings all the hilarious antics of the original film to life.  
 
Leading the talented cast is TV and stage actor John Shartzer, who takes on the role of the brilliant yet exasperated Dr. Frederick Frankenstein. Shartzer, appearing through the courtesy of the Actors’ Equity Association, brings sharp comedic timing and vocal prowess to the mad scientist trying to escape his family’s legacy.  
 
"We are incredibly excited to bring Mel Brooks’ hysterical vision to life at the Lewis Family Playhouse," said director Frank Minano. "Having an exceptional Equity lead like John Shartzer steering this ship ensures our audiences are in for a truly world-class, laugh-out-loud theatrical experience."  
 
Shartzer is joined by an ensemble of regional favorites, including Kylie Molnar as Elizabeth, Marcel Almirantearena as the loyal henchman Igor, Cassidy Rae Love as Inga, Karla J. Franko as the mysterious Frau Blücher, and Patrick McMahon as The Monster.  
 
Featuring a book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, with music and lyrics by Brooks himself, Young Frankenstein features the musical numbers "Transylvania Mania," "He Vas My Boyfriend," and the iconic tap-dancing spectacular, "Puttin' on the Ritz".  
 
Performance Dates & Showtimes  
The limited engagement runs for two weeks, from October 16 through October 25, 2026, with the following performance schedule:   
 
Friday, October 16 at 7:30 pm  
Saturday, October 17 at 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm  
Sunday, October 18 at 2:00 pm  
Friday, October 23 at 7:30 pm  
Saturday, October 24 at 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm  
Sunday, October 25 at 2:00 pm   
 
 
Ticket Information  
Tickets are on sale now, with prices ranging from $40 to $82 depending on seating preference. Patrons are advised to buy tickets through official channels to avoid third-party markups. Tickets can be purchased directly by calling the Box Office at (909) 477-2752 or online via the Lewis Family Playhouse Event Page.  
 
About Inland Valley Repertory Theatre (IVRT)  
Founded in 1990 by Frank and Donna Marie Minano, IVRT is a non-profit regional theatre company dedicated to presenting high-quality productions that showcase local talent of all ages. Over the years, IVRT has remained true to its mission, producing award-winning works that have earned widespread acclaim, including the Rancho Cucamonga Community Foundation’s Primavera Award for "Outstanding Contributions to the Arts." Most recently, Inland Empire Magazine honored IVRT with its Readers’ Choice Award for Best Performing Arts Company in the Inland Empire for the second year in a row. Learn more at the Inland Valley Repertory Theatre website: ivrt.org.