A.B.L.E.—Artists Breaking Limits & Expectations puts a punk-rock spin on a Mary Shelley’s classic tale.
Music journalist Roberta Walton has journeyed to fading punk club The Arctic to cover its demise, but instead finds a disoriented Victor Frankenstein and a much more interesting story. The neurodiverse ensemble – composed of 9 actors with disabilities and a team of facilitators – play multiple characters as they bring Frankenstein and his Creature’s memories to life. This original adaptation blends music, movement, and scenes devised by the group into a provocative and personal exploration of ambition, isolation, and the balance between the head and the heart.
Frankenstein was first presented in a sold-out run April 25-27, 2025, at Chicago Shakespeare Theater and re-mounted October 24-26, 2025, at Theater Wit.
Reviews for Frankenstein
“The fast-paced show, rowdy music (crowd surfing, anyone?), and joyous cast telling a story about embracing life on their own terms really prove A.B.L.E.’s point that you should never underestimate your cast and crew.”
Kimzyn Campbell, The Chicago Reader
“This rendition of Frankenstein was loud, colorful and charged with energy… . Together, they built a version of Frankenstein that was equally as structured as it was fluid — marked by accessibility, collaboration and shared creativity.”
Avaya Hall, The Loyola Phoenix
“I was truly impressed by what the ensemble had accomplished in just eight weeks. Several of the most moving scenes were choreographed sequences devised by the ensemble…The impact of these scenes was a testament to the success of A.B.L.E.’s collaborative method.”
Emily McClanathan, American Theatre Magazine
Cast & Crew
- Co-Directed by: Lawrence Kern & Katie Yohe
- The Ensemble: Colleen Altman, Marissa Bloodgood, Rachel Buchanan, Benjamin Collins, Ryan Foley, Erin Harvey, Paige Henderson, Jo Jennings (April 2025) Andrew Kosnik, Matthew LaChapelle, Kate McDuffie (October 2025), Erin Nishida (April 2025), Jenna Rapisarda (October 2025), Haley Schroeck, and Zachary Wandel
- Production Stage Manager: Grecia Bahena
- Lighting Design: Billy Murphy
- Projection Design: Brock Alter & Alex Sokol
- Projection & Video Operator: Farnaz Khosh Sirat
- Original Sound Design: Nicholas Pope & Katie Yohe
- Makeup Design: MK Papadatos
- Audio Description: Jason Harrington
- Director of ASL: Peter Wujcik
- ASL Interpreters (on October 26th): Sabrina Cienfuegos and Mark Motyka
- Production Photography – Joe Mazza/Brave Lux, Justin Barbin, Vashon Jordan Jr.
- Archival Video – Calvin Steinken
Frankenstein was sponsored by Charcoalblue.
A.B.L.E.’s 2024-2025 Season was partially supported by The Arts Work Fund for Organizational Development, The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, FunFund, Fs Foundation, The Illinois Arts Council, The LaChapelle Family Foundation, The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Ministry Fund, The National Endowment for the Arts, and generous individuals like you!
Production Photos by Vashon Jordan, Jr and Justin Barbin
