THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW Plays OpenStage Theatre, 10/27-11/24

Perhaps OpenStage Theatre should make this a regular part of Halloween festivities. For the second year in a row, thanks to an audience poll of favorites for the company's 40th anniversary, the company is staging Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show, with an appropriate opening on Halloween weekend.

The musical takes place on a dark and stormy night Thanks to the breakdown of their car, newly affianced couple Brad and Janet take refuge in the spooky castle of Dr. Frank 'N Furter, a "sweet transvestite from transsexual Transylvania." The young and naive pair is then led through a macabre evening of songs and sensual delights.

"It's so much fun directing Rocky again," said director Emelie Borello. "It allows us to let loose and get down and dirty, and we're enjoying finding the fine line between shocking and entertaining."

In a happy coincidence, Rocky is also celebrating its 40th anniversary. What began as a small production turned into a cult movie classic favoring midnight showings. Happily, the original stage production has recently regained popularity. In keeping with this tradition, OpenStage has added a late night showing at 11 p.m. on Nov. 9.

Borello notes the production isn't a simple reheat of her 2011 production. "We're keeping some of the bits that were so popular with audiences. Beyond that, we have some new twists, the sets offer something fresh, and we have five new actors, including Janet (damn it!), Columbia and muscle-bound Rocky. The audience will also be incorporated into the show even more than last year."

Nine of the original cast members are returning, including Jake Offen in his acclaimed performance as Dr. Frank 'N Furter. The good doctor and his fellow cast members are being given something of a new look.

"We've gone into something of a 70s throwback with some costumes," said Borello. "We're providing more of an homage to the early days of Rocky. I hope everyone who saw the show and loved it last year will return and bring more newbies to see how we've raised the bar."

Audiences are invited to meet the cast of The Rocky Horror Show following every performance.

Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show, Book, Music and Lyrics by Richard O'Brien, directed by Emelie Borello, plays October 27 to November 24: Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m.., Sundays at 2 p.m. on November 11 and 18, a late-night showing at 11 p.m. on November 9, as well as a pay-what-you-can show on November 2 at 7:30 p.m., and a free student show on October 25 at 7:30 p.m.

All performances take place at Lincoln Center Magnolia Theater, 417 W. Magnolia St., Fort Collins.

Cost: Fridays and Saturdays: $28-32 adults; $18-22 seniors, students and groups of 10 or more; Sundays: $18-22 all tickets; FAB Friday: $14 all tickets. Tickets: Lincoln Center box office, 970-221-6730 or www.LCTIX.com. Information: OpenStage Theatre, 970-484-5237 or www.openstage.com.

Special Offers:

FAB Friday, 7:30 p.m., November 2, all tickets $14, free beer following the performance provided by Odelle Brewing Company.
Pay-What-You-Can Performance, 7:30 p.m., Thursday, November 1 (cash or check donation at the door; no advance sales or reservations).
Childcare through Young People's Learning Center, November 2 and 16 performances (childcare reservations 970-482-1212).
Free Student/Educator Performance, 7:30 p.m., Thursday, October 25 (student reservations: 970-484-5237).

For more information, visit OpenStage's website at www.openstage.com or call 970-484-5237. Founded in 1973, OpenStage Theatre is a recipient of the Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts and the Henry Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre, and is a member of Theatre Communications Group, the national organization for not-for-profit professional theatres.

Photo Credit: Joe Hovorka