REVIEW: NonProphet Theater Company's Production of THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW

Reading the director's notes for NonProphet Theater Company's (in association with DramaRama Theater Company) production of The Rocky Horror Show had me wondering, if indeed, "many people have never seen the movie, much less the stage show". I mean, I grew up during the 1960's and 70's, so I was exposed to the cult that is "Rocky Horror" as soon as I could drive (or catch a ride) down to the Varsity Theater on Delmar for a midnight screening. But, I guess the mass proliferation of DVD's and widescreen TV's have replaced that unique communal rite of passage. So, it's up to local theater companies to recreate the experience, and this production is perfectly timed for the Halloween season.

Brad and Janet are a straight-laced couple who get stranded at a spooky castle when their car has a blowout one stormy night. They're just in time to bear witness to the peculiar brand of madness that homeowner Dr. Frank-N-Furter has been practicing in his laboratory. As mad scientists go, Frank is a bit of a whack job, preferring the trappings of a transvestite to the usual lab coat one would expect. And, his kinkiness extends to his lust for his latest creation, a muscle bound boy named Rocky, as well as the perverted interest he expresses toward his unexpected, and uninivited, guests. But, in true B-movie fashion, this is all just a cover for the more sinister plans concocted by a pair of aliens from the planet Transsexual in the galaxy of Transylvania.

Cliff Turner and Erin Almand are well cast as Brad and Janet, respectively. Both actors project an uptight innocence with their characterizations, and that serves as the proper foil for all the shocking sexual antics that are presented. Almand provides the eye candy, spending the bulk of the show in scanty pink bra and panties. She also handles her vocals with aplomb, with "Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch Me" being an especially sexy highlight.

Robert A. Mitchell takes an interesting approach to his role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, eschewing the usual kinky drag to take on the appearance of a geisha girl, and ending up looking more like cult film star Tura Satana than Tim Curry in the process. Mitchell's soulful rendition of "Sweet Transvestite" gives the song a grooving facelift, but unfortunately it's the only number that receives this treatment.

A solid supporting cast includes: Paula Stoff Dean and Leo Gregory Stoff reprising their recent turns as Magenta and Rocky Horror, respectively; James Cougar Canfield as the shrill-voiced Riff-Raff; Robert Ashton as the Narrator; Laura Coppinger as Columbia; and Jonathan Ellison as Eddie.

Director Sarah Lynne Holt keeps the action flowing at a fairly decent pace, although Richard O'Brien's script has always seemed to run out of steam about two-thirds of the way through, in my opinion. She's aided by the spirited choreography of Kay Allen, as well as Robert Mitchell's vocal direction of O'Brien's 1950's and 60's inspired score. The band, consisting of John Thomas (keyboards), Nick Bauer (guitar), Michael Monsey (bass), Matt McKeever (saxophone), and Robin Weatherall (drums), is tight throughout, and maintain a reasonable volume level as well, never overpowering the singers.

Be sure to include seeing this production of NonProphet Theater Company's production of The Rocky Horror Show, which continues through October 31, 2009, among your Halloween festivities. And, most importantly, bring a first-timer along so they can be exposed to its weird charms, too.

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