Little Theatre presents musical the Rocky Horror Show Live

Wilkes students have FREE entry with their ID; tickets for public are $20

A jump to the left and a then step to the right?  That’s right, get ready to do the time warp again.

Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre will present the iconic musical, The Rocky Horror Show, starting with an opening performance on Oct. 28.

The Rocky Horror Show is a comedic tribute to horror movies of the 1940s through the 1970s.  During a storm, a newly engaged couple breakdown and ventures off to get help.  The couple, Brad and Janet, come to the castle of a mad, transvestite scientist, Dr. Frank ‘N’ Furter, who has created a Frankenstein-esque monster.  Brad and Janet are soon swept up into the experiment and find themselves in the time warp.  The night’s adventures change their lives forever.

Director Justin John Costello says they should expect the unexpected with this year’s production.

“The story, songs and characters will all be the same, but the staging, costuming, choreography and production design elements will be highly stylized, with certain specific nods to the cult film version,” Costello said. “This production has high points of comedy and wit, countered with moments of deep sadness and pathos. It is raw, powerful and extremely entertaining.”

The show engages the audience and is incredibly interactive. Patrons will participate in certain scenes and some first-timers will be asked to jump on stage to fully immerse themselves in the on-stage experience.

Being a cult-classic, the show carries with it some traditions, such as throwing rice along with the wedding guests and throwing a toast in the air when one of the characters, Frank, toasts at dinner.

A member of the show’s ensemble, Alison Scott, noted that improvisation and audience participation makes for a unique show.  Don’t expect to see the same show twice.

“With a show like this one that has been around for so long and has been done so often, it is really easy to lose sight of the original production,” she said.

Carol Sweeney plays the narrator of the show. She appreciates how Costello “somewhat parallels our production with what is currently happening in the world. We are at risk of nuclear attack; we are not ‘safe’ and are so vulnerable. We leave the audience with something to think about.”

Costello says the show “has brilliant songs and lyrics that will keep you humming and jumping to the left for more. The comedy reaches very high heights, and the story has a very modern message in the mantra ‘Don’t Dream It. Be It.'”

The first live show will be at 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 28.  There will be another show at 7 p.m. on Oct. 29, with a special midnight showing later the same night.

Tickets are $20 for the public and can be purchased at the Little Theater Box Office or online at rocky.ltwb.org.

Wilkes students can enter free with student ID.