“The Rocky Horror Show,” October 23 through 31

Friday, October 23, through Saturday, October 31

Circa '21 Speakeasy, 1818 Third Avenue, Rock Island IL

If Halloween is approaching, it must be time for that theatrical command: “Let's do the 'Time Warp' again!” Consequently, the Circa '21 Speakeasy will stage its 11th-anniversary presentation of the cult-musical smash The Rocky Horror Show October 23 through 31, treating audiences to live performances of classic songs in this nutty, interactive experience that has been delighting show regulars and virgins alike for more than half a century.

A sardonic tribute to “B”-grade sci-fi and horror films, composer Richard O'Brien's musical finds the newly engaged Brad and Janet arriving at the home of Dr. Frank N. Furter, a sweet transvestite who's ready to unveil his new creation: an artificially made, fully grown, physically perfect muscle man who comes complete “with blond hair and a tan.” The original London production of The Rocky Horror Show, which opened in 1973, ran for 2,960 performances and won the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Musical. But the material wasn't nearly as big a hit in the United States until 1975's film version The Rocky Horror Picture Show became a genuine cult phenomenon, with the stage musical subsequently enjoying national and internationally touring productions all over the world. Rocky Horror's latest Broadway revival debuted this past spring and is still playing in New York, the production nominated for nine Tony Awards and its original cast featuring Luke Evans, Stephanie Hsu, Rachel Dratch (all three Tony-nominated), Juliette Lewis, Andrew Durand, and Harvey Guillén.

Directing and choreographing this year's Rocky Horror is area playwright, actor, and Reader theatre reviewer Alexander Richardson, whose Barely There Theatre company produced two world premieres – What Might Have Been and word play – this past winter at Moline's Black Box Theatre. Circa '21 favorite Bobby Becher serves as the show's music director, and additional members of Richardson's creative team include: producer Brett Hitchcock; costume designer Jakob Innes; production manager Jeremy Littlejohn; choreographer Kena McCance; and stage manager Emma Wahlmann.

Kaden Micklos and Lauren Carroll portray Rocky Horror's gullible young Brad and Janet, with Jakob Innes taking on the iconic role of Frank N. Furter. Julian Anderson portrays Rocky, while Rhiannon Moore enacts Columbia, and completing the cast are Topher Elliot as Riff Raff; Ivy Browne as Eddie and Dr. Scott; Krianna Walljasper as Magenta; and, making her Speakeasy debut as the show's Narrator, Jo E. Vasquez.

The Rocky Horror Show will be performed October 23 through 31, with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. (ages 18-plus) and 11 p.m. (ages 21-plus); Sunday, October 25 at 6 p.m. (ages 18-plus); and Thursday, October 29 at 7:30 p.m. (ages 18-plus). Admission is $30-35, prop bags will be available for sale at the door, and no outside props are allowed. For more information and tickets, call (309)786-7733 extension 2 and visit TheCirca21Speakeasy.com.