Local companies to perform ‘Rocky Horror’ this weekend
Courtesy of WPA
Katherine Harkins (left) as Janet and Anthony Marino Jr. (right) as Brad in the upcoming Westmoreland Performing Arts鈥� production of 鈥淭he Rocky Horror Show.鈥�
Courtesy of WPA
Kevin O鈥橪eary as Frank-N-Furter for the Westmoreland Performing Arts鈥� upcoming production of 鈥淭he Rocky Horror Show.鈥�
It鈥檚 the Time Warp times two with two local production companies bringing 鈥淭he Rocky Horror Show鈥� to the stage this Halloween weekend.
The show, a precursor to the 1975 movie 鈥淭he Rocky Horror Picture Show,鈥� is a live musical where the actors 鈥渟hadow cast鈥� their roles on stage while the movie plays in the background.
Actors and Artists of Fayette County (AAFC) will produce the show at the Geyer Performing Arts Center in Scottdale, and Westmoreland Performing Arts (WPA) in Greensburg will stage the show at the Westmoreland County Community College.
The cult classic finds sweethearts Brad Majors and Janet Weiss stuck with a flat tire during a storm. Looking for help, the couple discovers the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, where they meet a host of wild characters.
鈥淚鈥檝e always loved the movie and the live show,鈥� said John Cunnard, director of the show for AAFC. 鈥淭he live interactions with the audience and the performers on stage are a fun and crazy time.鈥�
Cunnard directed the show in 2019 and said it was a success with about 760 attendees. The AAFC board wanted to make the show an annual event, but the pandemic stopped that from happening in 2020 and a limited cast precluded it in 2021.
鈥淗ere we are in 2022, back with a full cast to do the 鈥楾ime Warp鈥� again,鈥� Cunnard said, referring to a well-known songs in the show that teaches the audience the steps as its sung.
That interaction is one of the things that makes 鈥淭he Rocky Horror Show鈥� so much fun.
鈥淎nd when the show closes with a reprise of 鈥楾ime Warp,鈥� and the audience is on its feet, they take part in the show at that point as full cast members,鈥� said Tony Morino, the director of the WPA production. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really an incredible experience for all involved.鈥�
This will be the first time the WPA has put on 鈥淭he Rocky Horror Show.鈥�
鈥淢any of us have such a great history with this show, and it makes us so happy to be able to stage this first-ever version for WPA,鈥� Marino said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 also great to share it with a new generation of cast and audience members who aren鈥檛 familiar with the magic of the show when done live.鈥�
To aid in the interactive experience, both shows have prop bags for sale for the audience filled with items that are to be tossed during the show.
鈥淲hen you hear the word 鈥榮ponge,鈥� you throw a sponge; 鈥榗ards,鈥� playing cards are tossed; 鈥榞reat Scott,鈥� toilet paper is tossed,鈥� Cunnard said.
Marino said, while 鈥淭he Rocky Horror Show鈥� is a world of mythical creatures, aliens and more, the theme for this year鈥檚 show is 鈥渇airy-tale characters and mythical creatures.鈥�
鈥淲e encourage the audience to come dressed as anything they think falls within this category, as almost anything goes,鈥� Marino said.
Cunnard said audience members at the AAFC show are encouraged to dress as their favorite 鈥淩ocky Horror鈥� character from the show or movie.
鈥淭his year we are doing the show in a 70s theme so it is really groovy and hip and neat with throwbacks to the 70s included in the show,鈥� Cunnard said.
For the AAFC performance at the Geyer Performing Arts Center, regular prop bags are available at the door for $5, and deluxe prop bags are $20. Cunnard said audience members can get $15 off the deluxe bag by visiting five local sponsors including Bad Rabbit Cafe & Roastery, Fox鈥檚 Pizza Den (Scottdale only), Wish鈥檚 Bar and Grill, Michael鈥檚 50s Diner and Carson鈥檚 Tavern. Each location will provide a different colored coupon through Oct. 29. Presenting all of the coupons will result in the discount.
Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 27-29. An additional showing starts at 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 28. Tickets are $17 per person.
Cunnard said a special pre-show begins 30 minutes before each performance. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.geyerpac.com.
The WPA performance at Westmoreland County Community College in Youngwood, takes place at the college鈥檚 Science Hall Theatre. Shows are at 8 p.m. and midnight on Friday, Oct. 28 and Saturday, Oct. 29.
Tickets are $20 at the door or can be purchased by calling The Palace Theatre Box Office at 724-836-8000.