Richard O'Brien's cult classic, ""The Rocky Horror Show,"" opens tonight at the Union Theatre.
Written in 1973, the show is based on two young, innocent lovers, Brad and Janet, who get stranded in the countryside and go to a nearby castle in search of help. They are greeted by the deranged and hobbled Riff Raff who brings them into a strange and mysterious room. There the couple meets their host, transvestite scientist Frank-N-Furter, who greets them in a bedazzled leather bustier.
On this night, Frank-N-Furter is unveiling his latest creation: His personal gay lover, a muscular blonde who he calls Rocky Horror. As the night progresses, the characters get entangled in mischievous, erotic sex and Frank-N-Furter's insane antics.
The all-student cast does a superb job with their respective roles. Eva Nimmer (Janet) and Joshua David Atkins (Brad) both nailed the character shift from the innocent, naïve couple to a lustful and sex-crazed one in the second act. Christopher Tiernan (Frank-N-Furter) also gives an outstanding performance. Playing up the humorous side of the role Tiernan was convincing as the devious bisexual scientist. Joshua Sanders perfectly captures the physicality of his character, Riff Raff. Kaitlin Olsen's (Magenta) impressive voice is showcased in the song ""Science Fiction/Double Feature,"" starts and ends the show.
Despite all being student's, the cast's professionalism in handling the musical's sexual themes and images is profound. The second act kicks off with silhouetted sex scenes that could have been awkward for some college actors. this combined with groping and partial nudity, but the actors seemed comfortable with each other and willing to participate.
The show's costumes were pleasantly ridiculous, with most of the men wearing fishnet stockings, fake breasts and high-heeled platform shoes. Frank-N-Furter had more than a few costume changes and most of them involved women's outfits and wigs. Again, the actors handle these unconventional concepts with maturity and talent.
The whole ""Rocky Horror"" experience is extremely entertaining, as the action starts right at the beginning with a pre-show. Backed up by the talented house band, one member of the ensemble sings rock-and-roll classics while other cast members dance seductively among the audience. When the house lights fall, the show starts, drawing in the audience with its catchy rhythms and tunes.
The show has a very high production value. The lights and sound are at a professional level and the visual effects are impressive, allowing onlookers to fully get lost in the ""horror"" of it all.
One reason ""Rocky Horror"" is so popular is because of the audience participation it facilitates. Viewers are encouraged to play along with the characters by using props relevant to the story. Also, the audience is welcome to dress in costumes and give in to ""absolute pleasure,"" a whimsical touch to an already pleasurable experience.
""The Rocky Horror Show"" is playing this weekend at the Union Theatre. Performances Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 7:30 pm, as well as 11:59 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $10 for students and between $15.50 and $26.50 for community members.
