The University Players at Western Carolina University will present the cult classic musical “The Rocky Horror Show” Tuesday, February 27, through Saturday, March 3.
All performances will take place at WCU’s Hoey Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. and will be directed by Richard Beam, associate professor of communication and theatre arts at WCU.
“The Rocky Horror Show” is best known as the midnight movie that inspired people to dress up as the film’s main characters and sing along with the soundtrack.
“Our production is based on the original staged theatre version, not the movie,” Beam said. “It is similar to the movie, but contains many differences.”
Written by Richard O’Brien, the play is a satire of the “B-grade” science-fiction horror movies of the 1950s. This rock ‘n’ roll musical follows the adventures of Brad and Janet, a young couple played by Brian Weger and Emily Wood, whose car breaks down on a deserted highway. The couple seeks refuge at a nearby castle, where they encounter a mad scientist from “Transsexual Transylvania” and find themselves subject to the lusty advances of the ambiguously male Frank ‘N’ Furter, played by R. Kevin Billings.
Other cast and crew includes Bobbi Baker as Riff-Raff, Courtney Becknell as Columbia, Joshua Ellis as Eddie, Damien Marts as Rocky, Serenity Richards as Magenta and Usherette, Heather Smidt as Dr. Scott, and narrator Daniel Strouble. The phantoms are played by Scott Needham, Cherie Vass and Crystal Waters; the stage manager is Sarah Moses.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $12.50 for senior citizens and $5 for students. This production may not be suitable for pre-high school viewers.
For more information, call the WCU department of communication and theatre arts at (828) 227-7491.
