Friday, October 19, through Saturday, October 27
Circa '21 Speakeasy, 1818 Third Avenue, Rock Island IL
If Halloween is approaching, it must be time for that annual theatrical command: “Let's do the 'Time Warp' again!” Consequently, the Circa '21 Speakeasy will stage its third-annual presentation of the cult-musical smash The Rocky Horror Show from October 19 through 27, treating audiences to live performances of classic songs and, of course, prop bags to complete the interactive experience.
A humorous 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 Rocky Horror, 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. When Rocky Horror last appeared on Broadway in 2000, its cast included Tony nominees Daphne Rubin-Vega and Raúl Esparza, Tony winners Alice Ripley and Jarrod Emick, rock legend Joan Jett, and TV icon Dick Cavett.
Directing this year's Rocky Horror is longtime Circa '21 Bootlegger and actor Brad Hauskins, an on-stage presence in this year's Freaky Friday and The Church Basemene Ladies in Rise Up, O Men! whose previous directorial credits include the family presentations Madagascar: A Musical Adventure and Big Nate: The Musical. Michael Penick and Brooke Myers portray the gullible young Brad and Janet, with Tristan Tapscott assuming the role of Frank N. Furter, a character he previously portrayed for Rock Island's former District Theatre. And seven area performers enact the rest of the show's iconic figures: Kelci Eaton (Phantom), Sarah Hayes (Riff Raff), Victoria House (Columbia), Kirsten Sindelar (Magenta), and Rocky Horror veterans Chase Austin (Rocky), Kathryn Jecklin (Eddie and Dr. Scott), and Doug Kutzli (Narrator).
The Rocky Horror Show will be staged on Fridays and Saturdays October 19 through 27, with nightly performances at 7 p.m. for ages 18 and older and 11 p.m. for ages 21 and older. Admission is $20-25, with prop bags available for $3, and more information and tickets are available by calling (309)786-7733 extension 2 or visiting The Circa21Speakeasy.com.