‘Tis the spooky season when many theaters traditionally perform Richard O’Brien’s “The Rocky Horror Show,” and Gettysburg Community Theatre is honoring its own tradition by presenting the R-rated musical for the third consecutive year (with previous runs from 2015-2019 and in 2022).
More than a half-century ago, the musical debuted worldwide at The Royal Court Theatre, winning London’s Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Musical. Two years later, in 1975, it opened on Broadway in NYC — the same year “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (starring Tim Curry and incidentally launching Meat Loaf’s career) began the longest running theatrical release in film history.
In tribute to Sci-Fi and horror “B” movies from the 1930’s to the early sixties — and inspired by the era’s sexual revolution — “The Rocky Horror Show” has been performed live in 20 languages for upwards of 30 million people.
The cult classic lands beautifully on GCT’s stage. Well-directed by Lindsey Ringquist, with excellent music direction by Carrie Conklin and often crisp choreography by Capri Allwein, the show easily fills the theater’s intimate space with vivacious energy.
Opening night brought a full house of excited fans to experience the frenetic rock and roll music and dance, sexy burlesque costumes, and audacious, silly storyline that make “The Rocky Horror Show” a cult favorite.
As the show opened to Ringquist and Bethany Butler’s creepy gossamer-accented set, the instrumental performance of “Overture” — with Conklin on keys, Cole Boudreau on drums, Chris Barnabei on bass, and Dave Bowman and Matt Grimmer on guitar — set the core music theme beautifully.
Two Usherettes entered from the side aisles to introduce the show’s movie framing device (a “film” performed live that would follow) in their solo performances of “Science Fiction,” and the imaginary reel began to roll.
In the “film,” the Narrator (played by Mark Myers) introduces leads Brad (Eric Walker) and Janet (Randi Walker). Brad proposes to Janet in “Damn it, Janet,” and the young couple embark on a rainy night drive to visit their mysterious former science teacher (Charles Miller as Dr. Scott).
When a tire goes flat and they set out on foot in search of a telephone, the lovebirds end up at a remote castle they will soon discover is inhabited by aliens.
The Company’s performance of “Over at The Frankenstein Place” delivers a well-kept promise of a wild evening of song, dance and fun-filled horror. “Time Warp” — the famous audience-interactive song and dance number led by brother and sister Riff Raff (played by Marc Faubel) and Magenta (Ally Olney-Boyd), along with Columbia (Lorraine Durbin) — follows.
Mad scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter, aka Frank (played by GCT newcomer Giovanni Traino) introduces himself as “…just a sweet transvestite from Transexual, Transylvania” in the iconic “Sweet Transvestite” number.
He invites Brad and Janet upstairs to his laboratory and unveils Rocky (played by Jessy Ringquist) — the muscle-bound creation he intends will replace his (and Columbia’s) ex-lover Eddie (Charles Miller), a delivery boy whose brain Frank has partially removed. (There is no sexual exclusivity in this alien reality, which will spiral into all sorts of interesting developments in Act 2.)
Frank murders Eddie to Brad and Janet’s horror, and they are dragged into separate bedrooms.
Act 2 follows the loss of the young couple’s innocence as the crazy plot thickens with cross-dressing Frank (Traino) at the helm. The sex scenes are visually tasteful while being suitably outrageous, and bawdy comments from offstage and the audience stoke the comedy.
Dr. Scott (Miller) who turns out to be Eddie’s uncle, arrives searching for his nephew and reveals that he investigates UFOs for the government. Riff Raff (Faubel) and Magenta (Olney-Boyd) execute an alien coup that leads to a just ending, and reprisals of “Science Fiction” and “Time Warp” (with a little “elbow sex” tossed in) bring the show to its finale.
“The Rocky Horror Show” at GCT offers many notable moments, both visually and in almost two dozen wonderful vocal and dance performances.
For instance, the ensemble performance of “The Floor Show” in Act 2, where even Brad and Janet appear in fishnets, camisoles and high heeled footwear, is a standout moment for all. And the visual composition created by the costumes and choreography in that scene is lovely.
From comically portraying windshield wipers and a fireplace to performing as the backup chorus and dancers, the Phantoms (Sara Bollinger, Bethany Butler, Rachel Hile, David Nickol, Monisola Paige, and Kate Wetzel) complement good performances by all.
Eric and Randi Walker, who are married in real life, return to their roles at GCT with polished skill. Traino is captivating in his GCT debut as Frank, Myers as the Narrator is unflappable, and Faubel as Riff Raff delivers outstanding energy. Olney-Boyd, (Magenta) Durbin (Columbia), Jessy Ringquist (Rocky), and Miller (Eddie/Dr. Scott) find their moments to shine as well.
The lighting design (John Rudy) and sound direction (John Keefauver) also sync nicely, although the high volume of the musical accompaniment in the first few numbers overpowered the vocals and some of the song lyrics were lost on Opening Night. But that imbalance resolved early on.
And some of the choreography was chaotic, which may have been Opening Night hiccups or may have been by choice.
Patrons who attended previous “Rocky Horror” shows at GCT may notice changes in the staging. What hasn’t changed is that “The Rocky Horror Show” at GCT continues to offer an exhilarating experience to mature audiences.
Where else can one go for “elbow sex” in Gettysburg?
Presented through arrangement with Concord Theatricals, “The Rocky Horror Show” continues on Fri. Oct. 16 at 7 pm; and Sat. Oct. 17 at 7 and 10 pm. Tickets are $25. All shows have sold out excepting a single seat at the closing performance. Go to Gettysburg Community Theatre to join waiting lists.
Other Production Team Credits: Amy Eyler (Stage Manager), Kale Wetzel (Dance Captain), Holly Hawthorn (Intimacy Coordinator), Vanessa Rice (Prop Design), Randi Walker (Print & Digital Media Design)
Prop bags are available for $5 in the bar, which opens one hour before curtain.
Photo courtesy of Marc Faubel
