PVCC Prepares to Do the Time Warp Again
1973 marked the opening of writer and musician Richard O’Brien’s musical stage play The Rocky Horror Show, a science fiction, horror-comedy paying tribute to the sci-fi and horror B movies from earlier in the century. Though the 1975 film adaptation The Rocky Horror Picture Show was poorly received upon its release, it gained a cult following through midnight showings, in large part due to repeat audiences who began to participate in the film’s story, attending screenings in costume and inserting themselves into the dialogue.
The film’s rise to cult stardom after its initial release has led to it remaining in limited theater release up to the present day, making it the longest-running theatrical release in history. This cultural longevity has not benefited the movie alone, as the original stage play is still performed in theaters large and small around the world.
In Dec. 2015, PVCC’s Dickinson Theater was home to one such production, adapted and directed by Associate Professor of Theater Arts Brad Stoller, and now — eight years later — The Rocky Horror Show is returning to PVCC next month.
Even by today’s standards, the show’s content is risqué to the point some might label it as raunchy, and back in 2015, Stoller was not expecting to be able to put it on. “It was the first musical I did here and I expected to be denied permission,” Stoller said, “But then-President Frank Friedman surprised me with ‘I love that show.’ And now our current president has repeated the same sentiment… I continue to be pleasantly surprised by the openness to this amazing and classic and wonderfully colorful show.”
The cast of the upcoming production has spent 12 hours a week rehearsing the show and perfecting choreography for the musical numbers, which will be accompanied by live music during the performances. Some students are also playing an important role in directing the show. Stoller specifically noted the contributions of Eliza Banaszak, who, in addition to playing one of the lead roles, has taken on much of the responsibility for directing, and Emily Thomas-Clarke, the production’s stage manager and assistant director. “The two of them are an amazing team and are the people deserving of the real credit for this production, which will be a success because of the two of them,” said Stoller.
PVCC’s production of The Rocky Horror Show will be performed nightly at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 1-3 in the Dickinson Building. General admission tickets are on sale right now at a price of $12 for adults and $10 for seniors/students. Audiences are encouraged to come in costume, as there will be a costume contest every night as well.
“As anyone who has seen it will tell, it will likely blow your mind if it’s your first time,” said Stoller. “Plus, it is also so beautiful, tender, and fun all at the same time. ‘Don’t dream it, be it,’ come and experience it yourself!”
