York Little Theatre Announces THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW 7/30-8/2

York Little Theatre will present Richard O'Brien's iconic rock comedy musical, The Rocky Horror Show, which is brought back to YLT by popular demand, and is bursting at the seams with high voltage, hysterically funny, rock and raunch.

The plot centers on innocents Brad and Janet who are on their way to visit an old college professor when they experience tire trouble and seek help at the strange house with the light on just down the road. The light is coming from the Frankenstein place, where Dr. Frank N. Furter is in the midst of one of his maniacal experiments. The show, which is for mature audiences, features timeless classic songs such as the pelvic-thrusting "Time Warp," "I'm Just a Sweet Transvestite," and "Damn it, Janet!"

The Rocky Horror Show opened in London in 1973, in Los Angeles in 1974, and premiered on Broadway in 1975 where it did not enjoy a long run nor critical acclaim. The film The Rocky Horror Picture Show was released in 1975 and then in 2000 the stage version began a second, successful run on Broadway and was nominated for 4 Tony awards. It ran for 2 years and 437 performances.
YLT's cast of 13 features Christopher Young as Dr. Frank N. Furter, Becky Filer as Janet, and Giulio Marchi as Brad. The production staff includes Director Chris Krahulec, Musical Director Jen Bankard, and Choreographer Warkenda Williams-Casey. Chris Krahulec finds directing such a popular show challenging. "This show is very much embedded in our pop culture. I would like to stay true to the intent and heart of the piece, but still make it our own."

Audience participation is a key element to this show and YLT's production in their Black Box Theatre enhances this experience. "Audience members will be up on stage," laughs Krahulec, "they will definitely be ‘time warping.'" The midnight shows are another element of this production that "help it stay true to its roots," explains Krahulec. Another classic element to this show is its "raunch-factor." Krahulec describes this production as " refreshing rather than raunchy. But some things are definitely called for." YLT's Costume Designer Patee Pizzirusso says audiences can expect the "usual gothic vamp." And adds, "high heels will be flying."

Some cast members have appeared in other productions of The Rocky Horror Show including Giulio Marchi (Brad) who has performed in The Rocky Horror Show show 6 other times; however this is his first appearance as Brad. Krahulec says, "We have a mixture of new and seasoned actors and a young, energetic cast-- all of whom are extremely enthusiastic about their roles."

Performances are at 8 p.m. on July 30 and August 2; and at midnight on July 31 and August 1. This is a special YLT fund-raising event sponsored by Flipside. Ticket prices are $20 and $25 for VIP seating. More information and tickets are available by calling the box office at 717-854-5715, 11 - 6, Monday through Friday, or visiting www.ylt.org.

York Little Theatre 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 at exit 19A of I-83, just south of Market Street. York Little Theatre is a proud member of The Cultural Alliance of York.

Photo: Todd Gutierrez, Christopher Young and Brian Reinecke, Caitlin Spivey and Rachel Hoyle

Photo credit: Photography by Scott