After Almost a Decade, "Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show" -Time Warps- back to Cygnet Theatre

Good Direction and Rythm Dressed in Fun, Sexy Wardrobe

A Blog View by Alejandra Enciso-Dardashti

Nathan Madden and the cast of Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show. Photo Karli Cadel.

I must confess to being one of the said "virgins" the Criminologist (Linda Libby) mocks at the top of 'Rocky Horror. And yes, like many who encounter this show for the first time, it is certainly dynamic and unique as there are two fronts during the performance: the show itself, and the audience (a lot of them in cosplay) heckling, mimicking the lines, singing, and dancing along. It is for sure, a round experience. This is true, solid, fandom.

Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show premiered at the Royal Court Theatre in 1973. Interestingly, the Broadway production debuted in 1975 and had only 45 performances after previews. The musical pays tribute to B-rated science fiction and horror movies following newly engaged couple, Brad (Drew Bradford) and Janet (Audrey Deubig), as their car gets a flat tire in the middle of a rainy night. They wander to seek help and stumble upon Dr. Frank N. Furter’s (Nathan Madden) castle. The mad scientist has been hard at work creating Rocky (Josh Bradford), a buff, hot, blond, young man that is almost perfect. Frank N. Furter's crew, made up of Columbia (Jasmine January), Riff Raff (Allen Lucky Weaver), and Magenta (Shanyeyah White) tend to the couple and once the doctor catches wind, a wild night unravels through song, dance, and seduction. 

Andrew Hull's elaborate, two-floor set design gives the perfect creepy, dark, lab/castle vibe along with Blake McCarty's projections and Chris Rynne's lighting delivering fluorescent greens, and reds that dressed the stage while also lighting up the audience -literally and figuratively-. Sean Murray who played the doctor in Cygnet's 2016 production, now directs the campy show that does not disappoint as it is fun and entertaining. Nathan Madden is fantastic as Frank N. Furter with an energetic, naughty personality that interacts with the audience, flowing through the whole theatre space while rocking Jennifer Brawn Gittings's hot, sexy costume design complete with garters, stockings, thongs, leather, and of course, stilettos. Plenty of stilettos in all sizes and colors (I salivated). 

Nathan Madden in Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show. Photo Karli Cadel.

The cast is an absolute hoot having great chemistry and delivering crowd-favorite, iconic songs like The Time Warp, Sweet Transvestite, and I Can Make You a Man, amongst others, under the music direction of Patrick Marion. Drew Bradford and Audrey Deubig as the "naive" couple, give superb cheese and laughs with good pace and movement along the stage. Josh Bradford as the wide-eyed, buff, brute Rocky and Allen Lucky Weaver as Riff Raff pump the scenes with agility and humor. Jasmine January as Columbia brought the tap-sequence satire, high-pitched, inquisitive manner showing another histrionic side that worked and meshed with her castmates. Shanyeyah White came with the sass and the vocals as Magenta; and, Jacob Caltrider, the only returning cast member from the 2016 production, as Dr. Scott (also playing Eddie in my performance) is awesome, mastering that wheelchair with a spot-on interpretation along with impressive vocals.

After experiencing 'Rocky, I could see why there is an intense, hardcore fandom and, why it could be overwhelming to the newbies as many different reactions and interactions are happening fast. Murray's direction lends air to the song and the dance so each thing can be its own and enjoyed at their time. The best choreography is the one that seems easy, and Luke H. Jacobs accomplished that by having the cast go up and down the stage and the house, looking flawless while interacting with the audience. Linda Libby as the narrator, is a masterful audience-heckler handler with fast comebacks and corky winks.

Thanks to Cygnet, I am no longer a Rocky' virgin and can now dance to The Time Warp. 

Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show is currently playing until November 2. For more information please click HERE.