THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW Opens at YLT, 10/28

York Little Theatre prepares to do "The Time Warp again" as they open their 2011 Special Event Production of Richard O'Brien's iconic rock comedy musical, The Rocky Horror Show.  This high-energy "rock and raunch" show has been a popular cult classic since it opened in London in 1973 and tells the story of innocents Brad and Janet who become stranded at the strange house of Dr. Frank N. Furter in the middle of one of his maniacal experiments. The show ran on Broadway for 437 performances and was nominated for 4 Tony Awards.
 
YLT's production runs October 28 and 29 and is directed by husband-wife team, Cat and Lee Howard, who first met and fell in love performing in The Rocky Horror Show at YLT in 2005.  "I was Janet, and Lee was Riff Raff," explains Cat. "We dated for 10 months and got married."  The couple was also cast in YLT's 2007 production of The Rocky Horror Show, but this is their first time directing the show. "We don't always agree on everything and we certainly argue about some of the details," admits Cat, "But we always come together, and have always agreed on the overall experience we want.  It's actually really nice having each other to bounce ideas off of." 
 
Cat, as an accomplished choreographer, is creating all the dance numbers for the production.  "Not everyone is a trained dancer and I feel it's important to choreograph to the ability of the performers.  Everyone has to be together, and comfortable or the choreography won't look good," explains Cat.  She admits to using her husband and co-director Lee as a "test dummy for some of the dances."
 
The cast features 14 local performers including Chad-Alan Carr as Dr. Frank N. Furter, Casey McMillion as Brad, Mary McCleary as Janet, Jonathan Fink as Riff Raff, Ashley Fink as Magenta, Tea Tusing as Columbia, Bryan Dorsey as Eddie/Dr. Scott, Keith Webb as Rocky and Denise Lauer as the Narrator.  "This cast has been keeping the energy up from the very first rehearsal," says Cat.  "They are a very dedicated and talented group."
 
Audience participation is a key element to this show and YLT's production in their Bert Smith Black Box Theatre enhances this experience.  The show is an action-packed roller-coaster ride and audiences will certainly be taken along. "This is definitely an adult show," says Cat. "We are staying as true to the original as possible, but we don't over-do some of the 'R-rated' moments."  The Rocky Horror Show experience begins in the lobby even before the show begins with "phantoms" mingling with the crowd.  YLT will have the traditional Rocky Horror goodie bags available as well which include special audience props such as squirt guns, confetti and newspapers to be used during the performance. 
 
YLT's production team includes Musical Director, Tatiana Dalton, Rehearsal Pianist and Band Director, Mike Frock, Set Design and Technical Direction by YLT Technical Director Bob McCLeary, Stage Manager Adina Ficano and Costumes by Director Cat Howard who will be creating the usual Rocky gothic vamp look.  "This show is not Mary Poppins," laughs Cat, "it's a cult classic with broad appeal because it is such a fun show."
 
YLT's The Rocky Horror Show experience runs October 28 and 29, at 9:00 p.m. and midnight.  All tickets are $25 and can be purchased at www.ylt.org or 854-5715, from 11 - 5 weekdays.  

York Little Theatre, now enjoying its 79th season of shows, is a nonprofit community theatre which values and nurtures the irreplaceable role of the arts and is dedicated to engaging and enriching its entire, diverse community in the dramatic arts through a broad range of professionally directed, entertaining, stimulating, and sometimes provocative performances.

York Little Theatre is located at 27 South Belmont Street, York PA, just south of Market Street at the intersection of I83.

 

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