Matt McGrath Replaces James Barbour in ROCKY HORROR SHOW at Old Globe this Fall

Executive Producer Lou Spisto today announced that Matt McGrath will appear in the role of Frank ‘N' Furter in The Old Globe's upcoming production of Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show. McGrath appeared on Broadway as the Emcee in Sam Mendes' hit revival of Cabaret and in the international tour of Tom Waits and William S. Burroughs' The Black Rider: The Casting of the Magic Bullets directed by Robert Wilson. He has also appeared Off Broadway in Hedwig and the Angry Itch and A Fair Country at Lincoln Center Theater. McGrath replaces the previously announced James Barbour, who has departed the production.

Oanh Nguyen will direct the musical with book, music and lyrics by Richard O'Brien, choreography by JT Horenstein and music direction by Mike Wilkins. The Rocky Horror Show will run in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, Sept. 15 - Nov. 6. Preview performances run Sept. 15 - Sept. 22. Opening night is Friday, Sept. 23 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE or by visiting the Box Office at 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park.

The musical that became a movie and started a 35-year nonstop cultural phenomenon is back where it is meant to be seen - live on stage. When Brad and Janet, a clean-cut young couple from the suburbs, get caught with a flat in the middle of nowhere, they seek help from the devilishly charming transvestite Dr. Frank ‘N' Furter. What they discover in his mysterious laboratory is a time warp of sexual and scientific possibilities - and, perhaps, true love.

The cast of The Rocky Horror Show also includes Andrew Call (Eddie, Phantom), Jeanna de Waal (Janet), Sydney James Harcourt (Rocky), Nadine Isenegger (Columbia), Lauren Lim Jackson (Phantom), Kelsey Kurz (Brad), David Andrew Macdonald (Narrator, Dr. Scott), Anna Schnaitter (Phantom), Laura Shoop (Magenta), Kit Treece (Phantom) and Jason Wooten (Riff Raff).

The creative team also includes Donyale Werle (Scenic Design), Emily Rebholz (Costume Design), Rui Rita (Lighting Design), Kevin Kennedy (Sound Design), Aaron Rhyne (Projection Design) and Anjee Nero (Stage Manager).

Playwright and composer Richard O'Brien began his career as an actor, performing in the London productions of Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar in the 1970s. With the guidance of director Jim Sharman, O'Brien opened his musical The Rocky Horror Show at the Theatre Upstairs in 1973. Within weeks it became a cult theater hit and quickly led to an original cast album. Two years later O'Brien and Sharman adapted it into a film, retitled The Rocky Horror Picture Show, starring Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick. Though the material was highly provocative for its time, including depictions of gay and transgender culture, the movie gained a huge cult following and made stars of its leads. O'Brien himself appeared in the movie as Riff Raff. Still in limited release 35 years after its premiere, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is the longest-running theatrical release in film history. O'Brien created a follow-up movie, Shock Treatment, and several more stage musicals in the ‘80s, and he continued to act in bit parts in cult films such as Flash Gordon, Dark City, Ever After and Dungeons & Dragons. In 1998 he released a CD, entitled Absolute O'Brien, of music from his one-man revue, Disgracefully Yours. He served as the host of the popular British game show "The Crystal Maze" and appeared on the West End in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. He also occasionally does cabaret-style music and comedy performances.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/WM Photos