Brad Majors and his new fiancée, Janet Weiss, are two fuddy-duddy squares on an unremarkable drive when things begin to go awry.
A wrong turn, a flat tire and a downpour of rain lead them to seek help in the night. But when they knock on the door of an old castle, the naive couple gets sucked into a dark and outlandish world of fish-net stockings, cabaret numbers, aliens from a faraway galaxy and murder.
“The Rocky Horror Show,” Richard O’Brien’s 1973 cult-classic rock opera for the stage, returns to the Henry Strater Theatre this weekend for what has become a Durango Halloween tradition. The show, which opened Thursday, continues with two performances today and a third on Saturday.
The Strater’s performance is a bawdy, absurd affair made extra lively by a capable cast of actors, live musical accompaniment and a Roaring ’20s theme.
“If you really want to get away into a fantasy world, it’s a really fun evening,” director Jenny Fitts Reynolds said. “It’s the whole package: rock and roll, theater and ridiculousness.”
The Strater, which has been producing “Rocky Horror” for seven years, has a tradition of setting the iconic play in a different decade. This year, it’s the 1920s. While there are flapper girl dresses, head feathers and sly nods to the era in this “Rocky,” the theme doesn’t impact the story. And that’s a good thing. The play stands on its own with a whacked-out sci-fi plot and larger-than-life characters like cross-dressing scientist Dr. Frank N. Furter. It doesn’t need much in the way of embellishment.
The strength of this show, instead, lies in the cast, a cadre of capable actors who aren’t afraid to get risqué, as well as the music. From the opening number, “Science Fiction Double Feature,” which is performed in silhouette, to the explosive ensemble dance song “The Time Warp” and Dr. Frank’s plaintive “I’m Going Home,” the songs are central to “Rocky Horror.”
Leslie Hoxworth as Magenta, Leah Nikula as Janet and Ben Mattson as Dr. Frank display impressive vocal chops and big stage presence as they nail song-and-dance numbers. Geoff Johnson is endearingly wimpy as Brad, Rodney Golberg puts the creepy into Riff Raff and Cierra Taylor adroitly pulls off Columbia’s Time Warp tap dance.
Fitts Reynolds said the addition this year of choreographer Lani Dill has strengthened the dance aspect of the show. Bringing the songs to life, meanwhile, are Joseph Albright on piano, Nick Kalyan on guitar, Spencer Church on bass and Mike Morris on drums.
“Rocky Horror” is a horror satire that follows Brad and Janet as they stumble into the bizarre web of beings from the planet Transylvania. Leading the pack is Dr. Frank N. Furter, a scientist in rhinestone heels and crimson lipstick who has been working on a special creation in his laboratory. Frank N. Furter and his minions sweep Brad and Janet a surreal tale of sexuality, sinister schemes and catchy songs.
The stage play and movie adaptations have become huge cult hits in the decades since they were released, with devoted audience members developing a tradition of dressing up as characters, yelling out lines and bringing props like newspapers and toast. In that vein, the Strater will sell goodie bags of certain props, and encourages people to participate in a respectful fashion.
Fitts Reynolds said she thinks the utter silliness of “Rocky” is what attracts people to it after all these years.
“I think people are just drawn to the flamboyancy,” she said. “It’s really ridiculous.”
kklingsporn@durangoherald.com
If you go
The seventh annual Rocky Horror Show – Live on Stage will be performed today at 7 and 10 p.m. and Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Henry Strater Theatre, 699 Main Ave. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Visit www.henrystratertheatre.com for more information.
