BWW Reviews: Shadowbox Live's THE ROCKY HORROR SHOWS Does the Time Warp with Perfection

If you haven't seen 'The Rocky Horror Show", there's really no way to adequately describe what you are missing, other than to say that you simply must see it at least once, or ten times, in your lifetime. If you are already a fan of the campy, transgender masterpiece by Richard O'Brien that is known as much for its cult-like audience participation as it is for its bizarre storyline and outrageous characters, then you are in for quite a treat, as Shadowbox Live brings a masterful version to the Brewery District.

In short, the storyline revolves around a newly engaged couple, Brad (Jamie Barrow) and Janet (Leah Haviland) whose car breaking down in a rain storm sends them to the castle of the "Sweet Transvestite" scientist, Frank N. Furter, just as he is set to unveil his latest Frankensteinian creation- Rocky Horror. While this was the tamest audience I have ever witnessed with this production, the cast was stellar, and the production was silly, sexual, and packed to the top of its high-heeled, gender bending boots with the typically phenomenal Shadowbox talent. JT Walker III is terrific as warped transvestite Frank N. Furter, as not only can this guy sing the hell out of almost anything he is given, but he flaunts zebra booty shorts like nobody's business. He also delivers a death scene worthy of a drag queen loving standing ovation that is hysterically overplayed. Jamie Barrow's Brad is classic- straight-laced, repressed, and nerdy- until Frank leads him down the path of sexual exploration. While Leah Haviland's Janet is one of her best performances to date- campy, vocally wonderful, and great fun to watch, particularly as she becomes infatuated with Rocky. Speaking of Rocky, Billy DePetro is like Bambi on steroids- wide-eyed, innocent, and flexing muscles most men don't even know that they have, to the audience's delight. Other notable performances include Tom Cardinal as Riff-Raff, Edelyn Parker as Magenta, Nikki Fagin as Columbia, and Mary Randle as the Narrator, all of which create eccentrically enjoyable characters.

Costuming by Betsy Shortt is brilliantly off-beat eye candy and choreography by Katy Psenicka is simple, but executed well by the cast, and includes a flawless version of cult classic, "The Time Warp", which surprisingly did not have any audience members joining in despite being performed with more than enough gusto on-stage.

Shadowbox Live could phone this production in and survive on its fan following alone to fill its seats to capacity, but the most impressive part of this ensemble is that they do each and every show with the tremendous talent, energy, enthusiasm, and polish that make everyone want to come back again and again, and Shadowbox's "The Rocky Horror Show" is a prime example of why Shadowbox Live continues to be one of the best contributions to Columbus' entertainment scene.

Leave the rolls of toilet paper at home, but for love of all things freaky, get the hell out of your seats and Time Warp with some of the best as Shadowbox Live presents, " The Rocky Horror Show" at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sundays through August 18th at the Shadowbox Live Building, 503 S. Front St. Call 614-416-7625 or visit www.shadowboxlive.org for additional information.

PHOTO CREDIT: Shadowbox Live

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