The Rocky Horror Show October 19, 2012

Renaissance Theatre invites you to give yourself over to absolute pleasure in its steaming hot new production of "The Rocky Horror Show," starring Eric Kress as Frank N. Furter, the sweet transvestite with a proclivity for sadism and masochism.
Most are probably more familiar with the 1975 film adaptation, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" and it's synonymous with midnight showings around Halloween and has a cult following, rather than the original London stage version. Yet both are very much the same.
Bob Baker's naughty direction intends to bring the production back to its London roots with movie-version twists. Sure, the production's sexy and lewd, but it's still less provocative than one expects. All the licentious ingredients are there: tight corsets, fishnet hosiery, bare flesh, leather undergarments, sexual innuendos and seduction.
Brad (John Burnett) and Janet (Anneliese Canada) end up at an old castle after Brad's car breaks down, they just want to use the phone, but despite their protests, they stay longer than they wanted and are then seduced into a couple of sexual experiences.
Manipulative but brilliant, Frank N. Furter has achieved a bio-chemical breakthrough, creating a human boy toy for himself named Rocky. The lewd and super-talented Riff Raff (Phil Parker), Magenta (Emily Parks) and Columbia (Mariah Jones) contribute to the dark, stormy night's voyeurism.
Kress plays Frank N. Furter with explosive charisma; his energetic rendition of "Sweet Transvestite" is so hot that even the fire alarms are threatening to go off. Phil Parker is adorably maudlin, and Anna Canada is raging with hormones in her sensual interpretation of "A Touch Me." Emily Parks is strong and sexual and a good match for Parker's quintessential Riff Raff. Mariah Jones is an energetic and ideal Columbia.
Gay Broad and Margie Cumbie's costumes expose S&M culture; Lynn Broad's lights and set are expressionistic; Emily Parks choreography, replete with pelvic thrusts, is so expertly crafted that it's a shame audience participation is prohibited. Barry Norwood directs the backstage band with energy and the rock 'n' roll adds excitement.
This "Rocky Horror" is on the propulsive verge of having its own Huntsville cult following. Shows start October 19 on Renaissance Theatre's Mainstage and run through November 3 (Oct 19-20, Oct 25-27, Nov 1-3 at 7:30pm and Oct 27 and Nov 3 at Midnight). Tickets are $20 for evening performances and $25 for Midnight performances.

Official Website: http://www.renaissancetheatre.net