Frankenstein and QA with Boris Karloff's daughter, Sara

A cinematic classic meets a striking new musical vision in this special screening of Frankenstein, starring Boris Karloff, featuring the world premiere of a chamber ensemble score by composer Michael Shapiro. Performed live by the Argus String Quartet with pianist Steven Beck—praised as “vivacious” by The New Yorker—this reimagined score brings new emotional depth to the film’s iconic imagery. Shapiro’s full orchestral version has already been performed by more than 80 orchestras worldwide.

The evening begins with a Q&A with Boris Karloff’s daughter, Sara Karloff.

At the heart of the score is the mirrored relationship between Henry Frankenstein and his creation. “The monster is the doppelganger of Henry Frankenstein,” Shapiro notes, a connection reflected musically in unexpected ways. Dark, driving themes underscore the doctor’s ambition, while the monster is accompanied by music that is at times gentle, haunting, and deeply sympathetic. Karloff’s portrayal—imbued with a sense of soul—feels newly illuminated through…