Rocky Horror Show
Just in time for Halloween, the cult classic “Rocky Horror Show” makes a comeback at the Musical Theatre Guild's William A. Lehnerd Production Center. The show will open Oct. 21.
The farcical romp, which pokes fun at 1950s science fiction shows, was last produced by MTG in 2003.
The musical originally opened in London at the Theatre Upstairs in 1973 and was released as a movie in 1975, starring Tim Curry. The show gained a cult following that involves enthusiasts attending the show in costume and taking props used throughout the production. The play, often touted as R-rated, generates its share of controversy and fans.
The MTG production is under the direction of Stefan Lingenfelter and will star Brady Patsy of East Brady in the iconic role of Dr. Frank N. Furter. Patsy last took the stage as a guest artist at Robert Morris University. This will be his first stab at the “Rocky Horror Show.”
“I hadn't even seen the movie when I auditioned and accepted the role of Frank N. Furter,” Patsy said.
Patsy, who is now a paid actor, said he believes in giving back to the stages that gave him the spotlight on his way up.
“The late Bill Lehnerd once said to me, ‘Remember that the mighty oak cannot stand if it forgets about its roots!' Those are words that I will carry with me forever and hopefully one day to the stages of Broadway,” said Patsy of his return to the MTG stage.
“Frank N. Furter is a very unique character in the show. Being a transvestite scientist alien is not something that I have ever tried to become on stage,” Patsy said.
“I hope that I am able to do justice to those die-hard ‘Rocky Horror' fans,” he added.
Patsy said he is excited the most about his last scene at the end of the show where everything comes together for his character.
“Our director, Stefan Lingenfelter, has done some beautiful things with the staging to make it all ring true,” Patsy noted.
Randy Krampert of Summit Township played Frank N. Furter in MTG's 2003 production. He returns to play Eddie and Dr. Scott this time.Krampert last appeared on stage as the sheriff in “Oklahoma.”While he loves the show, he said he auditioned to connect with his friends. “I knew that I would be working with many MTG veterans whose company I greatly enjoy,” Krampert said.“The first production was such a positive event and I was quite proud to be a part of it. I was hoping we could catch lightning in a bottle for the second time,” he said.Capturing the diversity of his two roles is stretching his actor's chops a bit. “Playing two very different roles in the same show is an experience that I've not encountered before. It's quite fun, but also a bit difficult, a formidable opponent,” he said.Also returning from the 2003 cast is Lacretia Crawford of Mars who will reprise her role as the Usherette.“I missed performing, and when I heard that MTG was doing ‘Rocky,' I remembered how much fun I had doing it the last time and decided I wanted to audition for the same part,” Crawford explained.Her role features just two vocal performances — one at the beginning and one at the end — which comes with its own set of challenges.“For me, only being involved in the show for two numbers is uniquely challenging. It requires me to really make a mark in a very short amount of time,” she said.She also noted that this time around, the director has a different vision of the role. “I really love the way we are opening and closing the show — not to mention everything in between,” she said.Newer to the show and the MTG stage is Monica Dudek of Manor Township, Armstrong County, who will appear in the role of Janet. She last appeared in the MTG production of “Sweeney Todd.” Dudek had not seen the show before being cast. She said the style of singing has been challenging for her.“I'm trained to sing opera. To try and use the techniques I've learned through my lessons and adapt them to sing rock music was a trial-and-error experience until I found the best sound,” she said.Also appearing in the show are Brad Griffiths, Tessa Flannery, Paul Wright, Becky Potter, Whitney Angeloni and Matthew Buzanoski as Rocky. The roles of the Phantom/Transylvanians will be filled by Shelby Cook, Amy Evans, Megan Flannery and Amanda Hater.
<B>WHO: </B>Musical Theatre Guild of Butler<B>WHAT: </B>“The Rocky Horror Show”<B>WHEN: </B>8 and 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays from Oct. 21 to 29 and 8 p.m. only on Oct. 27 and 30<B>WHERE: </B>William A. Lehnerd Performance Hall at the MTG Production Center at the back of Butler Memorial Park<B>TICKETS: </B>$17, available at May's Music Shoppe, 247 E. Jefferson St., between 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.<B>INFO: </B>724-287-8243
