“Rocky Horror” time warps into the Chrysler Theatre

By Mark Brown

A cult musical known worldwide for its campy style and audience participation element takes the stage at St. Clair College this week.

The College’s musical theatre performance and entertainment technology programs will present their spring production of The Rocky Horror Show at the Chrysler Theatre.  The musical, written by Richard O’ Brien, is the forerunner of the 1975 cult film The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which still sells out midnight screenings in movie theaters around the world.  The production was run last year by St. Clair students at the Capitol Theatre in Chatham.  Melissa Williams, director and choreographer of the Windsor show, said they were hoping to bring a new dynamic to the musical.

“We thought, here’s an opportunity to show the kids how much a show evolves and changes when it’s a different cast,” said Williams, who has been teaching musical theatre at St. Clair for about 11 years and has been involved in almost every spring production during that time. She said The Rocky Horror Show is a different kind of musical.

“It’s just such an awesome piece of musical theatre, but it’s also an experience for the audience member,” said Williams.

Audience participation has been a part of the Rocky Horror experience for years.  Theatregoers often shout rebuttals in counterpoint to the actors and throw props at the screen or stage at various points of the plot such as rice, toast and toilet paper.  The musical’s showstopping number is “Time Warp” and audience members often dance in the aisles.

Williams said those attending the Chrysler Theatre show can expect some degree of interaction.

“Anytime I’ve seen this piece performed in a venue it’s like wildfire,” said Williams.  “The first night there’ll be a few talkbacks, a few things thrown and a few props.  The next night it’s twice as much and it gets pretty ramped up by the end.”

The musical is also known for male actors wearing women’s clothing and suggestive choreography.  Josh Mercado, a music theatre performance student playing the role of Riff Raff in the production, calls the envelope-pushing production a chance for him to try an edgier kind of role.

“It’s just such an out-there show,” said Mercado, 22, of Whitby, ON.  In full makeup following a special media preview, he says the performers are given a great deal of freedom.

“It’s so hard to figure out when you can and can’t do without permission,” said Mercado.  “It’s so free that you don’t know where the boundaries are.”

Other cast members include Alex Titei as Dr. Frank N. Furter, Wade Stockan as Brad and Jessica Wilson as Janet.  The set was designed by Robert Ivey and Mike Karloff is the production’s music director.

The Rocky Horror Show will be performed from April 19 to 23 at the Chrysler Theatre in downtown Windsor.  For tickets, visit www.stclaircollege.ca.