It’s just a jump to the left, and then a step to the right…
A great Halloween tradition has returned with a bang! Bucks County Playhouse has returned the cult favorite, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, for the scary holiday season. And believe me, if you’ve seen the movie, you haven’t seen the true essence of this great theatrical musical.
With your hands on your hips, you bring your knees in tight…
For those who have never seen the show (much to my amazement, that included Mrs. Reviewer until opening night!), ROCKY HORROR is the story of Brad and Janet, a recently-engaged couple who are on their way to visit Dr. Everett Scott (Brad’s science tutor). Their car gets a flat tire, and they go through a driving rainstorm to seek a phone in an old castle…and from there, the fun begins!
But it’s the pelvic thrust, they really drive you insane!
Jeremy Kushnier, Jennifer Cody, Alyssa DiPalma in a scene from THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW at Bucks County Playhouse.
(Photo credit: www.mkbstudios.com)
Director Hunter Foster has assembled a terrific cast for this production. Brad and Janet (Nick Cearley, Lauren Molina) are sweet and innocent, until circumstances bring out their inner “demons”. Jeremy Kushnier (Riff Raff) nearly steals the show with his interpretation of the servant with a secret. Jennifer Cody and Alyssa DiPalma are wonderful as Columbia and Magenta, alternately sexy, playful, and dangerous. Kevin Cahoon brings it all together with his interpretation of iconic Frank “N” Furter. And, Nick Adams as Rocky is both buff and flexible. Mrs. Reviewer, upon first seeing Adams declared that he must be wearing a muscle body suit…subsequent movements proved that to be untrue. These amazing performers are joined by a host of phantoms (Sarah DeNight, Anabelle Garcia, Alex Kryger, and Erica Nicole Rothman) that add to the choreography, move set pieces, and just generally keep things moving along.
The direction of the show is spot-on, with the pace never lagging, but the audience has the time to luxuriate in every moment on stage. The action is bawdy without being over the top (well, TOO much.) Characters are appropriately lampoon-y. The choreography is terrific…high energy, athletic, and a lot of fun to watch.
A special mention has to be made of the set and lighting. The set is huge and formidable, with the cast using the stairs on either side to great advantage. Each scene and locale has its own unique lighting scheme, and I’ve never seen a more perfect use of holiday lighting strings than at this show…they’re everywhere!
ROCKY HORROR is a humorous tribute to the old science fiction/horror movies of the 1940’s through the 1970’s, so don’t expect things like plot development, character growth, or even making sense of the story…just sit back, join in the fun, and dance the Time Warp Again!
THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW
Book, music and lyrics by Richard O’Brien
Directed by Hunter Foster
October 23 – November 2, 2013
Bucks County Playhouse
70 S. Main Street
New Hope PA 18938
(215) 862-2121
www.bcptheater.org
