The Emporia Gazette

March 20, 2010

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ESU Theatre will present its 37th annual Homecoming Scholarship Musical the last week of October. As homecoming falls during Halloween week this year, they are presenting Richard O’Brien’s “The Rocky Horror Show.” The show spoofs the “science-fiction double feature movies” of the 1960s.

Performances of the rock musical will be presented in Albert Taylor Hall at Emporia State University on Oct. 29 and 31 at 7:30 p.m. Special performances are scheduled at 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 30 and 2 p.m. on Nov. 1. The show is not intended for families with young children. It carries a PG-13 rating for scenes with sexual situations.    “The Rocky Horror Show” is a phenomenon that began as an experimental musical in London's pop/glam rock scene of the early 1970s. The underground success spawned larger productions in Los Angeles and New York and a film adaptation that eventually became a cult classic known as The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The movie became popular due to its frequent midnight showings in cities and university towns across the U.S. These midnight showings generated audience participation events like special props, added dialogue, sing-alongs and dressing in costume.

To control the “audience participation” elements of Rocky, theatre students will be selling “audience participation props and instructions” at each performance in Emporia.

This show tells the story of two clean cut kids, Brad Majors and Janet Weiss, who run into car trouble and seek help at the haunted castle down the road. Little do they know it's the place where Dr. Frank ‘N’ Furter is in the midst of his experiments to create a man. The play is a rock musical, a spoof of science fiction movies, and a bizarre story of seduction and sexual confusion. The book, music and lyrics are by Richard O’Brien who also originated the role of Riff Raff in the show. A 2000 Broadway revival featured Dick Cavett in the role of the narrator. The original production helped to propel the rock singer Meat Loaf to stardom and introduced British actor Tim Curry to the American stage.

The ESU production is under the direction of Jim Bartruff and Lindy Bartruff is the choreographer. Penny Speedie is the music director. A five-piece rock band features Sue Seeman on keyboards. The set is designed by Ron Fowlkes and Craig Moxon is designing the lights. The costume designer is Amanda Dura. Senior Levi Howe (Columbus, Neb.) designs the makeup and hair. Ben Williams (senior, Elbing) is the Production Stage Manager. Sophomore Joshua Taylor from Salina is the Assistant Stage Manager.

The cast features senior Kelsey Fredricks (Mandan, N.D.) as Janet; Dylan Lewis (junior, Wichita) as Brad; Roy Michael Johnson (senior, McLouth) is Dr. Frank ‘n’ Furter; Dr. Scott and Eddie are played by senior Jeremiah Devine (senior, Hutchison) and freshman Andrew Walker (Wichita) is the title character, Rocky Horror. The narrator is Casey McCabe (sophomore, Gardner); Riff Raff is played by Scott Swezey (senior, Overland Park); Magenta is Brandi Smith (senior, Emporia); Columbia is played by junior Amanda Mayer (Hutchison). The Phantoms are played by junior Emily Warren (Wichita), freshman Marah Melvin (Iola) and Ji Ye Yoon, an exchange student from South Korea.

Tickets for the production are available from the ESU Box Office in the Memorial Union or by calling 341-6378 or toll-free at 877-341-6378. Proceeds from the production provide scholarships to ESU students in the performing arts.

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