It was definitely a strange journey for anyone who stopped by Longwood Theatre's production of Richard O'Brien's "The Rocky Horror Show" over the past two weeks. The horror-comedy-musical, under the hand of Director Gene Muto, professor of theatre, featured a fantastic use of the Main Stage floor accompanied by an aesthetically pleasing array of scenery, thanks to Chair of the Communication Studies and Theatre Department Dr. Eric Koger, who served as scenic and lighting designer.
The production began with a performance of "Science Fiction/Double Feature," a tribute to "B" movies, performed by Usherette/Magenta (Shea McCuller, freshman) with a brigade of Phantoms performing background vocals.
The humorous and sometimes outlandish audi ence participation, a staple of the theatrical pro duction, began right from the start with some rath er risqué shouting, such as a repetitive reference to Janet Weiss (Abby Frank, senior) as a "slut."
The play starts with Brad Majors (Justin Heavner) confessing his love to the petite Janet, by singing "Dammit, Janet." On their way to see Dr. Everett Scott (Tyler Nobles, sophomore) to announce their recent engagement, the two are caught with a flat tire and end up at a castle in hopes of phoning for help.
When the handyman Riff Raff (Dr. Christopher Swanson, musical director) opens the door, Ma genta and Columbia (Samantha Fallin, senior) speak briefly about Eddie (Tyler Nobles), delivery boy and Columbia's former love. In an attempt to escape "folk dancing" that is "The Time Warp," the signature musical number, Brad and Janet are then introduced to Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Kyle But ler, senior) who is adorned in fishnets, a corset, bell bottoms and more makeup than a CoverGirl com mercial. Fallin performs beautifully in "The Time Warp," hitting all the high notes to a tee.
Frank invites his visitors up to his laboratory to meet his latest creation, Rocky (Beau Bryan, Hamp den-Sydney College junior). Interrupted by Eddie, who pops out of a cooler with a thrilling rendition of "Hot Patootie – Bless My Soul," where he recalls rock n' roll and love, Frank decides to end Eddie's life once and for all. Brad and Janet are then sent to separate bed areas, and a 15-minute intermission takes place.
Frank advances both Janet and Brad, separately, by disguising as the other's lover. Riff Raff inter rupts Frank and Brad's love scene when he learns Rocky has escaped. During a search for Brad, Janet finds Rocky and tastes forbidden fruit. This causes Brad to become upset and he commences to explain his feelings, singing "Once in a While," where he picks two people from the audience to serenade.
Frank accuses Dr. Scott, who just arrived via wheel chair, of investigating his castle on secret FBI busi ness, but Scott says he's only searching for Eddie ("Eddie's Teddy"). Things speed up when Rocky, Janet, Brad, Dr. Scott and a fed-up Columbia are taken away to prepare for the floorshow where they will sing and dance to "Rose Tint My World" while decked in lingerie. Before the floorshow, Ma genta and Riff Raff reveal to Frank that their mis sion of kinky sex has been jeopardized and they have no option but to return to their home planet.
Frank encourages the four to give into their car nal desires and initiates an orgy ("Don't Dream It, Be It"). The glee ends when Magenta and Riff Raff, holding a ray gun and wearing space suits, sur pass Frank's command, zap Columbia, Rocky and Frank to death and beam the castle back to Trans sexual in the galaxy of Transylvania. This is not be fore a phenomenal performance by Frank in "I'm Coming Home." Riff Raff instructs Brad, Janet and Dr. Scott to leave where the newly engaged end the play, ultimately still confused.
Kudos to Abby Frank, who was able to mimic the subtleties of Janet Weiss' film character. Butler's ad aptation to Frank-N-Furter might make Tim Curry, who starred in the film version, blush.
He was even able to capture the grins and chuck les that make the character so memorable. As for Heavner, the role of Brad could not have gone to a better actor. Likewise, Nobles, with his over worked German accent, kept me smiling the entire way through the work. A stellar performance goes to everyone involved in this production. It was, in fact, a lovely party.
