DON’T PAY ATTENTION TO THE PLOT,
AND YOU’LL HAVE A BLAST
In 1973, a rock musical called The Rocky Horror Show opened in London and ran until 1980 as other productions of the show blossomed throughout the world. One source estimated that the show was eventually performed in 20 languages for 30 million people.
The show spoofs the horror and science fiction B-movies of the mid- and late-1900s. It especially attracted young audiences who turned the musical and its 1975 film adaptation into a cult. Young audiences were particularly drawn to special midnight movie showing where the audience took over the house to create their own grungy fantasyland. The audience frequently talked back to the screen characters with comments drenched in double entendres, wore bizarre costumes identified with the characters, tossed objects inspired by the action on the screen, and generally turned movie theaters into personal weird phantasmagoric wonderlands.
The Cast
The rituals of The Rocky Horror Picture Show aren’t as ubiquitous as they once were. Events still occur, but they are rare (see S&C’s review of last Halloween’s showing). But Cygnet Theatre is now offering a faithful revival of the show, showcasing all the oddball characters who sing and dance through two raucous acts. The Rocky Horror Show may be rooted in the very different entertainment world of the late 1900s, but talent is still talent. Rocky may not be for everyone but anyone who avoids trying to make too much sense of the show will find it a genuine hoot.
Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Nathan Madden) and Rocky (Josh Bradford)
The story loosely centers on a cross-dressing mad scientist from another planet, Dr. Frank-N-Furter (a “Sweet Transvestite from Transexual Transylvania”), who creates a perfect artificial man named Rocky, complete with blond hair and a tan. Meanwhile, to escape from a thunderstorm, a young couple named Brad and Janet find shelter in an old castle, providentially occupied by the doctor and his minions. From then on it’s everybody for themselves as the characters, armed with microphones tuned to the loudest volume, go through a high energy entertainment of vocalizing and hoofing.
The Cast
The audience at my performance opening weekend obviously came to the theater to giggle and cheer, and the performers joined them throughout. An abundance of erotica particularly pleased the audience, especially bisexual and gay bits, but the humor was never more explicit than PG+. There were some skimpy costumes but nothing more revealing than local beachwear.
Janet Weiss (Audrey Deubig) and Brad Majors (Drew Bradford)
The viewer can take the ramshackle plot or leave it alone, but everyone has got to admire the entertaining high-camp humor, energetic musical score, and outlandish costuming and makeup. There are 11 performers in the ensemble and they all throw themselves into the melée with undiminished gusto and huge quantities of talent. The production is awash in powerful, expressive singing voices, led by the inexhaustible Nathan Madden as the mad scientist who seems to be doing everything all the time (and I mean everything). As Janet, Audrey Deubig irresistibly combines sexiness and beauty with her performing skills. The honor roll is completed by Drew Bradford, Josh Bradford, Faith Carrion, Jasmine January, Linda Libby, Allen Lucky Weaver, Shanyeyah White, and Eli Wood.
Richard O’Brien is responsible for the show’s book, music, and lyrics (the original playbill carries the title Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show). Sean Murray does a heroic job as director, keeping all the moving parts in place. Choreographer Luke H. Jacobs makes an essential contribution, along with Andrew Hull (scenery), Chris Rhynne (lighting), T. J. Fucella sound), Jennifer Brawn Gittings (costumes), and Blake McCarty (projection design). Keyboard player and conductor Patrick Marion leads a stomping five-piece band from its perch on a platform above the stage.
photos by Karli Cadel
The Rocky Horror Show
Cygnet Theatre Company
Old Town Theater, 4040 Twiggs St.
2 hours with one 15 minute intermission
Wed-Sat at 7; Sat & Sun at 2; Wed at 2 (Sept. 25 only)
ends on Nov 2, 2024
for tickets (starting at $44), call 619-337-1525 or visit Cygnet