Review: 'RICHARD O'BRIEN'S THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW' at Cygnet Theatre

Follow the light “over the Frankenstein place” to the Cygnet stage to experience this fun and cult classic that allows audiences to laugh, sing, dance, and celebrate self-discovery, glam rock, and fabulously terrible sci-films. Whether this is your first time or a return visit to the castle, this is a delightfully fun production with talented performers, strong vocals, fishnet stockings, and platform heels. 

Since its premiere in 1973, "Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show" has been performed across six continents, attracting dedicated fandoms and bringing the wild world of Dr. Frank-N-Furter to the stage. It has also been translated into 20 different languages. The show is an unabashed celebration of old Hollywood B sci-fi movies made with a shoestring budget, campy and kooky characters, bawdy humor, glam rock, self-expression, and audience participation.

The story follows the unexpected journey of the newly engaged Brad (Drew Bradford) and Janet (Audrey Deubig), who get caught in a storm and end up trying to find help at the doorstep of a castle in the middle of the woods. Instead of finding a phone (“Castles don’t have phones”), they instead meet Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Nathan Madden) and people who at first appear to be his servants, Riff Raff (Allen Lucky Weaver), Magenta (Shanyeyah White), and Columbia (Jasmine January).   

But not all is as it seems. As Frank advises Brad, Janet, and the audience, “Don't get strung out by the way that I look; don't judge a book by its cover.”

The rest of the talented cast includes Josh Bradford, Jacob Caltrider, Faith Carrion, Linda Libby, and Eli Wood in various roles.

The show may be over 50 years old, but that doesn’t mean I will spoil the plot any further; part of the fun is watching insanity unfold and the “antici... pation!”

Madden’s Frank is as unhinged as you want a mad scientist to be: eccentric, gender-bending, and many moments of sly and sarcastic humor. Weaver and White are suitably creepy as Riff and Magenta, with a subversive glee in how everything unfolds. White’s vocals are fantastic as the Usherette who introduces this “Science Fiction/Double Feature.”

Drew Bradford and Deubig, as Brad and Janet, are both wholesome and  wholly corruptible, folding quickly into giving themselves to “absolute pleasure.”   Josh Bradford is the sweet but dim Rocky, Franks's creation who is trying to figure out who (and how many people) he may be, and January makes for a fun and funny Columbia.

Libby is terrific as the narrator, bringing a needed and enjoyable sense of structure and severity to this show, whose events are spinning ever more out of control. As the audience shouted callbacks at my performance, she played along with quick gestures or a disapproving glare to everyone’s delight.

Sean Murray directed this show, and his love for it is reflected in its spirit as it is performed. Luke H. Jacobs's choreography is fun, highlights each character well, and allows the cast and audience ample opportunity to do the “Time Warp.”

Conductor and keyboardist Patrick Marion's music direction brings this iconic score to life, along with the band, which includes PJ Bovee on bass, Danny Chavarin on percussion, Nikko Nobleza on guitar, and Ariana Warren on tenor sax. Sound design by TJ Fucella allows the music, vocals, and otherworldly sounds to work together well.

Andrew Hull's scenic design, Jennifer Brawn Gittings's costumes, and Peter Herman's wigs embrace the low-budget, campy glamour of the films as inspiration. Chris Rynne's lighting design is fantastic, full of colors and energy.

This show famously has a dedicated fan base that participates by coming in costume or theme and shouting callbacks to the actors during the show.  If you are one of those people, please be aware that Cygnet encourages the costumes, dialogue, and props but doesn’t allow anything to be thrown on stage (rice, toast, water pistols). As someone who appreciates the callbacks, I encourage you to remember that this is live theatre. Be mindful of the timing so your participation enhances the experience and does not step on anyone's lines, which can confuse any show virgins in the audience.

"Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show" offers a place where the bizarre becomes normal and is a fun escape from the everyday as it “Rose tints my world, keeps me safe from my trouble and pain,” or at least for the two hours you are in the theatre.

How To Get Tickets

"Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show" has been extended through November 2nd due to popular demand, so get your tickets before they’re gone.  Ticket and showtime information can be found at www.cygnettheatre.com 

Photo Credit: The cast of The Rocky Horror Show, Photo by Karli Cadel Photography

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