Synetic Theater presents Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, a reimagining of Mary Shelley’s classic that draws inspiration from the tale of Prometheus — the hero of Greek myth who defied Zeus by stealing fire from the Gods and gifting it to humanity. Directed by Paata Tsikurishvili and choreographed by Irina Tsikurishvili, Frankenstein stands out as one of the most creative and powerful productions that I’ve seen in quite some time.
Technical Director Joshua Cole Lucas had quite the project on his hands with this piece. Synetic Theater is a widely renowned physical theater; they tell their stories primarily through movement, not words or dialogue, so the technical elements are extremely important. Lighting Designer Brian S. Allard (assisted by Dean Leong) uses masterful lighting techniques and intricate shadow-work to fuel the story. Composer and Sound Designer Koki Lortkipanidze (assisted by Aaron Kan) provides a thrilling score and chilling effects. The vast majority of the show ran smoothly, but this is a brand-new piece, so there were a couple of growing pains in the form of technical glitches. However, the blips were fleeting and easily forgotten, and I’m confident that they have been ironed out since. Given the highly technical nature of the production, what they achieved was incredibly impressive.
Scenic and Props Designer Phil Charlwood transforms the stage into a post-apocalyptic wasteland, complete with jagged, menacing, rocky cliffs, while Costume Designer Erik Teague outfits the performers in tattered animal skins and grimy rags. The atmosphere is grim from the outset when the show begins with a raging lightning storm that threatens everyone onstage. In the aftermath, Prometheus (Alex Mills) enjoys a rare playful moment as he chases Gaia (Maryam Najafzada) around the stage while she holds on to their swaddled infant. Their happiness is short-lived, as another storm ravages their tribal community and kills nearly everyone onstage. Prometheus is able to revive Gaia, but she is blinded and driven to madness by grief, refusing to let go of her now-empty swaddling blanket.
Driven by the will to survive, rebellion, and maybe even some madness himself, Prometheus steals a flame from Fire (Philip Fletcher) in a frenzied battle scene. With it, he creates his Creature, played by Vato Tsikurishvili. Vato’s performance is incredible from the jump — the way he contorts his body as the Creature awakens is the stuff of nightmares. The Creature is a frightening sight, but he has the naiveté and innocence of a child. He is unaware of his impressive strength and threatening face, and is hurt and confused when the people around him reject his company, including Prometheus himself, who is horrified by what he has done.
What follows is a raw, brazen journey of cruelty and vengeance. The classic plot of Frankenstein is honored, but it is also given new angles and plot twists (I see you, undead army!). The performances are beautiful, poignant, and extremely impressive — I can’t imagine the level of stamina that these performers have to maintain such a high level of movement and dance for well over an hour. The ensemble was incredible as well: Tony Amante, Stella Bunch, Natan-Mael Gray, Liam Klopfenstein, and Kaitlyn Shifflett all added to the show’s intrigue. Such a seamless and commanding production can only be attributed to strong direction and skilled, professional artists combining their efforts to create something beautiful: incredibly haunting yet beautiful. If I have one grievance, it’s that over 90 minutes is a long time to sit with such heavy material. However, that’s barely a complaint, and I actually enjoyed the show so much that I plan on seeing it again. Before you give in to the holiday spirit this season, give Halloween one last hurrah with a viewing of Synetic Theater’s Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus. It’s an experience that will stay with you long after you leave the theater.
Running Time: About 95 minutes with no intermission.
Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus plays through November 23, 2025, presented by Synetic Theater performing in the Thomas Jefferson Community Center Theatre, 125 S Old Glebe Rd, Arlington, VA. Tickets ($35–$65) are available online.
The playbill is online here.
Advisory: Frankenstein is for mature audiences only.
Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus
Directed by Paata Tsikurishvili
Choreographed by Irina Tsikurishvili
