With a three-night showing, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” made a reappearance at Shippensburg University in Memorial Auditorium. This live performance was cast and produced by students.
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” movie first came out in 1975, falling under both the musical and horror genre. It involves characters Brad and Janet getting hitched, but when they are stuck with a flat tire, they are forced to stop at the mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. There, they meet eerie characters, including Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s newest creation, Rocky.
At the beginning of the show, two of the directors, Piper Kull and Pierce Romey, gave a trigger warning to some of the concepts depicted in the show and explained that acts of sexual coercion and the slurs used are not condoned. “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is a significant performance to the LGBTQ+ community because of the freedom in which it celebrates what it means to be different and embracing it.
It was interesting to see how the performance would look this year, since the performance took place in a different location than last year. The execution in how they tackled the difference in stage styles was immaculate. Romey shared that costuming and choreography were their favorite parts in directing the show.
Freshman Charlie Cicero stated, “I really enjoyed working with everyone in the cast, and I encourage anyone who has never done theatre to try it out.”
The performance itself was amazing, but the engagement from the audience was not of the same high-level liveliness. For those who have never been to a Rocky Horror performance before, a QR Code was included on the program, which was a guide that explained how interactive the show is supposed to be.
Cast members were Jenna Cornell as Frank-N-Furter, Alyssa Sheriff as Janet Weiss, Chloe Lightner as Brad Majors, Griffyn Imes as Rocky Horror, Dan Brouse as Riff Raff, AnnaShae Mason as Magenta, Nicole Ocker as Columbia, Brighid Cantwell as Eddie, Micah Lysiak as The Criminologist, and Adam Beam as Dr. Scott. The transylvanians were played by Ari Stevens, Emily Moglia, Grace Harbour, Jess Lichorobeic, Katie Huston, and Charlie Cicero. Usherettes were Allyson Ritchey and Victoria Rush.
The PAGE Center and APB collaborated to help put this traditional performance together. Admission was free, but donations were open for audience members to make. Opening night was on Friday, Oct. 27 at 8:30 p.m., with two more showings on the following Saturday and Sunday at the same time.
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