True Crime Frankenstein
by Matt Cox, Eli Bolin

True Crime Frankenstein Book Cover — True Crime Frankenstein Cover

Highlights

Female

Male

120 mins Present Day Expandable Casting Flexible Cast Size Strong Role for Leading Woman (Star Vehicle) Unit Set/Multiple Settings Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes

Synopsis

When young pop sensation William Frankenstein is murdered, the family’s nanny is blamed.

However, local high school loner Mary Sheldon knows there’s more to the story.

Armed with a microphone and her own ambitions, Mary launches an investigative podcast to expose one Victor Frankenstein’s secrets, unraveling a tale of dark science, monsters, and an alarming amount of preventable murder.

The deeper she digs, the more she realizes she’s not only telling this story – she’s in it.

A musical comedy about monsters and how you make them – complete with local ads!

Press Reviews

"Creativity meets chaos in the best way… blend[ing] macabre storytelling with sharp humor… turning Mary Shelley’s gothic tale into a contemporary, self-aware comedy that somehow manage[s] to still feel full of heart."
— BroadwayWorld

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
MARY SHELDON (w) A lonely teenager who’s started a true crime podcast, ready to ask the hard-hitting questions and clear Justine Mortiz’s name. She’s got that “podcast voice” down – a teenage Sarah Koenig or Ira Glass. But Mary has secrets of her own… ones that lead her to becoming a bigger part of the story she’s investigating.	female	—	(w) A lonely teenager who’s started a true crime podcast, ready to ask the hard-hitting questions and clear Justine Mortiz’s name. She’s got that “podcast voice” down – a teenage Sarah Koenig or Ira Glass. But Mary has secrets of her own… ones that lead her to becoming a bigger part of the story she’s investigating.
VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN (m) The charismatic, brilliant, perfect first son of the Frankenstein family. At least that’s who he was... After the death of his mother, Victor went away to college and changed. He became moodier. Alienated. Darker. Victor challenges the laws of nature and gives life to a new kind of human being – now it haunts his every waking moment. At least as much as something can for a very wealthy person.	female	—	(m) The charismatic, brilliant, perfect first son of the Frankenstein family. At least that’s who he was... After the death of his mother, Victor went away to college and changed. He became moodier. Alienated. Darker. Victor challenges the laws of nature and gives life to a new kind of human being – now it haunts his every waking moment. At least as much as something can for a very wealthy person.
THE CREATURE (m) Tall. Monstrous. Inquisitive. Victor’s creation – he wakes up alone and confused, with no one to guide him. He observes a small family in the woods to learn. After seeing the best & worst of humanity, this monster embarks on a quest of vengeance against the entire human species – starting with the Frankensteins.	male	—	(m) Tall. Monstrous. Inquisitive. Victor’s creation – he wakes up alone and confused, with no one to guide him. He observes a small family in the woods to learn. After seeing the best & worst of humanity, this monster embarks on a quest of vengeance against the entire human species – starting with the Frankensteins.
ELIZABETH LAVENZA (w) An adopted member of the Frankenstein family and romantic partner to Victor. (It’s complicated and weird. 1800s novels!) Quiet. Reserved. Reclusive. Doesn’t like to feel angry, so she doesn’t. Mortified about the idea of attention being put on her. Eventually realizes she’s something of a side character in Victor’s story – and things don’t tend to work out for people like that.	female	80	(w) An adopted member of the Frankenstein family and romantic partner to Victor. (It’s complicated and weird. 1800s novels!) Quiet. Reserved. Reclusive. Doesn’t like to feel angry, so she doesn’t. Mortified about the idea of attention being put on her. Eventually realizes she’s something of a side character in Victor’s story – and things don’t tend to work out for people like that.
JUSTINE MORTIZ / THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN (w) The (wrongly) accused murderer of William Frankenstein. Has had a tough life – and has been wrongly accused of things in the past. Doesn’t understand why bad things happen to good people – mostly herself. She is eventually killed by the state, and her body is used for a second experiment in bringing a new creature to life – a creature who already has a hatred for humanity imbued within her.	female	—	(w) The (wrongly) accused murderer of William Frankenstein. Has had a tough life – and has been wrongly accused of things in the past. Doesn’t understand why bad things happen to good people – mostly herself. She is eventually killed by the state, and her body is used for a second experiment in bringing a new creature to life – a creature who already has a hatred for humanity imbued within her.
ALPHONSE FRANKENSTEIN & OTHERS (m) The stern father of the Frankenstein family. Former politician and now CEO of mega successful everything app Frankenmart. He has yet to find a problem money cannot fix.	male	—	(m) The stern father of the Frankenstein family. Former politician and now CEO of mega successful everything app Frankenmart. He has yet to find a problem money cannot fix.
WILLIAM FRANKENSTEIN & OTHERS (w) A six-year-old boy and pop music sensation with the voice of an angel. He then becomes an angel, because he is murdered by THE CREATURE.	male	—	(w) A six-year-old boy and pop music sensation with the voice of an angel. He then becomes an angel, because he is murdered by THE CREATURE.
CAROLINE FRANKENSTEIN & OTHERS (w) The loving mother of the Frankenstein family. Charitable. Kind. Imbues her kids with a love for life, each other, and the world. Like many characters in this story, she dies.	female	—	(w) The loving mother of the Frankenstein family. Charitable. Kind. Imbues her kids with a love for life, each other, and the world. Like many characters in this story, she dies.
HENRY CLERVAL & OTHERS (m) Victor’s childhood best friend. Loyal. Loving. Nurses Victor back to health after his escapade creating The Creature. Like many characters in this story, he dies.	male	—	(m) Victor’s childhood best friend. Loyal. Loving. Nurses Victor back to health after his escapade creating The Creature. Like many characters in this story, he dies.
AUNT TABITHA & OTHERS (w) Mary’s Great Aunt, and for a while, her primary advertiser. Tabitha has several businesses, including website design, low carb meal kits, and her own crypto currency. She definitely has a house and is definitely not using these businesses to find free places to sleep at night.	female	—	(w) Mary’s Great Aunt, and for a while, her primary advertiser. Tabitha has several businesses, including website design, low carb meal kits, and her own crypto currency. She definitely has a house and is definitely not using these businesses to find free places to sleep at night.
ERNEST FRANKENSTEIN & OTHERS (m) The other Frankenstein brother. He is Ernest. That’s who he is. Not much else to say about him. (Spoiler: The only Frankenstein who survives the story.)	male	—	(m) The other Frankenstein brother. He is Ernest. That’s who he is. Not much else to say about him. (Spoiler: The only Frankenstein who survives the story.)