“Every year I try to put one show that is outrageous or edgy on the list in hopes that it will get the OK,” said Phil Simmons, director of the upcoming EMU Theatre performance of the classic “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” “I just hope for the best because I want to keep pushing the bar.”
“Rocky Horror” tells the tale of two lovers, Brad Majors and Janet Weiss, left stranded by a flat tire. The couple stumbles upon a Frankenstein-esque castle and their night takes a bizarre wrong turn.
“It’s been so much fun working on this classic,” Matt Anderson, who plays the role of Dr. Frank N. Furter, said. “We get to look at the iconic performances that have been done and add our own personal flair.
Everyone in the cast and crew is having a blast and is really great to work with.”
The set in this show is supposed to resemble a ‘70s / ‘80s rock concert in all aspects. Everything built is contained in a middle set, and there is a hidden compartment, or “hut,” that will allow costume changes.
“John and Jeremey have done an amazing job it looks like a real rock show,” Simmons said. “There’s lights, fog machines, ladders, speakers, music and a fantastic set. It’s going to look just great.”
Rocky movie fans will find some differences between their 1975 classic and this production. Two Rocky scripts and a screen play were combined to formulate the script of this production, certain songs being switched around and a the character of Riff Raff will be female.
“We did not have any men who could hit high notes,” Simmons said. “So Kelly Stonebreaker is playing the part and she has done an amazing job adapting. Melanie has done amazing work with the costumes and it has helped with Kelly portraying a realistic creepy female, Riff Raff, and it looks great.”
