THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW Begins Performances at University of Utah Department of Theatre

The University of Utah Department of Theatre Presents Richard O'Brien's THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW

Before it was one of the most popular cult films of all time, THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW was a stage musical called THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW. The University of Utah Department of Theatre is bringing THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW by Richard O'Brien to Utah audiences in February.

Brad Majors and Janet Weiss seek help from a seemingly harmless secluded house in the woods after their car breaks down late one night. They soon descend into a seductive, surreal adventure, driven by Dr. Frank N. Furter and his obsession with a bizarre, Frankenstein-esque experiment. Part science fiction, part spoof, part exploration of sexual mores, and all rock 'n roll, this stage musical guarantees to thrill.

Contains strong language and mature content.

Playing the part of the bisexual mad scientist Dr. Frank N. Furter is University of Utah junior John Terry. Terry is in his third year in the department's Actor Training Program. He was recently seen in "Une Saison en Enfer" and "The Mercy Seat," both in Studio 115.

Janet Weiss is played by Summer Spence. A sophomore in the Actor Training Program, Spence was last seen at the Babcock in "Tristan and Yseult." Other past shows include "The Crucible," "Twelfth Night," "The Diary of Anne Frank," and "Man and Superman."

Playing Brad Majors is U of U sophomore Aaron Kramer. Kramer is excited to make his Theatre Department debut in the role of the naïve young leading man. He is majoring in the University's Theatre Arts program.

The experiment on which Dr. Frank N. Furter has been working, Rocky Horror himself, is played by Cory Whale. Whale is a junior in Pre-med and a Theatre Studies major. This marks his University of Utah debut.

As the mad scientist's sidekick and hunchbacked handyman Riff Raff is Ryon J. Sharette. A sophomore in the Actor Training Program, Sharette's past credits include "The Bakkhai" and "The Seagull." Sharette also wrote "Thaed," a full-length play to be produced this season by the department.

Playing the role of Eddie, Dr. Frank N. Furter's former lover, as well as the role of Dr. Scott, the uncle who searches for Eddie after his strange disappearance, is Jason Hackney. A junior in the Actor Training Program, Hackney's previous productions for the department include "Alaska," "Une Saison en Enfer," and "Tristan and Ysuelt."

Other members of Dr. Frank N. Furter's entourage, including the groupies Magenta and Columbia, an usherette who opens and closes the show with musical numbers, and narrators who help interpret the bizarre onstage happenings are played by Johanna Blair, Chelsie
Cravens, Gabriela Caro, Jordan Novotny and Zoe Rhyne, respectively.

The cast is rounded out by chorus members (known as Phantoms) Elena Dern, Alexander Eltzroth, Stacey Hull, Krystal Kennedy, Ana Lemke, Clara Tibbe Osbeck, Matthew Romriell, and Melonie Theresia Tibbetts.

Sarah Shippobotham, head of the Actor Training Program, directs the production. Previous shows Shippobotham has directed include "Ring Round the Moon," "The Busy Body," "Assassins," and "The Duchess of Malfi." She appeared in "The Syringa Tree" for Utah Contemporary Theater Company in the winter of 2008, and has dialect coached many shows for local companies, including Pioneer Theatre Company and Salt Lake Acting Company.

Musical direction for the show is by David Schmidt. Schmidt is the co-founder and past Board President of the High School for the Performing Arts in Salt Lake City, and he is co-founder and Artistic Director of Utah Light Opera. His musical theater credits include "Nunsense A-Men," "Into the Woods," "Annie," and many others. Opera credits include roles in "The Magic Flute," "Don Giovanni," "Gianni Schicci," "Cosi Fan Tutte," and others.

Choreographing is Jordan Wonnacott. Wonnacott has choreographed locally for productions with the Draper Arts Guild, Sandy Arts Council, Holladay Arts, and Hunt Mysteries. She is a junior in the department's Theatre Studies program.

Halee Rasmussen designs the set. Rasmussen is a recent graduate of the Performing Arts Design Program, with emphases in Set Design and Technical Direction. Some of her past department credits include "Notes on a Sunday," "Much Ado About Nothing," "The Mercy Seat,"
"Death and the Maiden," "Ring Round the Moon," and "Time and the Conways."

Costumes are designed by Magen Olsen and Rachel Zimmerman. Both designers are seniors in the department's Performing Arts Design Program, and have designed many shows there. Some shows include "Une Saison en Enfer" and "Blood Wedding" (Olsen), and "The Bakkhai" and
"The Pillowman" (Zimmerman).

Jesse Portillo designs lights. Portillo recently designed "Go, Dog, Go!" and "Too Much Memory" at Salt Lake Acting Company, and "Radio Hour: Alice" for Plan-B Theatre Company. He teaches lighting design for the University of Utah Theatre Department. Alyssa Phillips, a junior in the Performing Arts Design Program, assists on lighting design.

Performing Arts Design Program senior Kate Casalino is Hair and Makeup Designer, and resident designer Karen Porcher designs props for the production. Performing Arts Design Program junior Tory Wojtasek designs sound, and Theatre Studies senior Elizabeth M. Jenkins is dramaturg.

WHO:

University of Utah Department of Theatre
http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=307260080&u=3425818

WHAT:
Richard O'Brien's
THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW
Book, music, and lyrics by Richard O'Brien
Contains strong language and mature themes

WHEN:
February 19, 20, 21
February 25, 26, 27, 28
March 4, 5, 6, 7

TIMES:
7:30 p.m. every performance night.
Additional 2:00 p.m. matinees on February 27 and March 6

WHERE:
The Babcock Auditorium (first level of Simmons Pioneer Memorial
Theatre, on the University of Utah campus.)
300 South 1400 East, Salt Lake City, UT

PRICE:
$7 - $13

MORE INFO:
Box Office: 801-581-7100
http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=307260080&u=3425819
Tickets may also be purchased at the door before performances

Cast

Johanna Blair: Magenta
Gabriela Caro: Usherette
Chelsie Cravens: Columbia
Elena Dern : Phantom
Alexander Eltzroth: Phantom
Jason Hackney: Eddie/Dr. Scott
Stacey Hull: Phantom
Aaron Kramer: Brad Majors
Krystal Kennedy: Phantom
Ana Lemke: Phantom
Jordan Novotny: Narrator
Clara Tibbe Osbeck: Phantom
Zoe Rhyne: Narrator
Matt Romriell: Phantom
Ryon J. Sharette: Riff Raff
Summer Spence: Janet Weiss
John Terry: Dr. Frank N. Furter
Melonie Theresia Tippetts: Phantom
Cory Whale: Rocky Horror

Artistic Staff
Renee E. Broderick: Asst. Stage Manager
Katie Casalino: Hair & Make-up Designer
Max Gonzales: Asst. Stage Manager
Jackie Gordon: Asst. Hair & Make-up Designer
Chase Heltzel: Stage Manager
Elizabeth M. Jenkins: Dramaturg
Magen Olsen: Costume Designer
Alyssa Phillips: Asst. Lighting Designer
Karen Porcher: Props Designer
Jesse Portillo: Lighting Designer
Halee Rasmussen: Set Designer
David Schmidt: Musical Director
Sarah Shippobotham: Director
Tory Wojtasek: Sound Designer
Jordan Wonnacott: Choreographer
Rachel Zimmerman: Costume Designer

For more information, visit http://www.theatre.utah.edu/