THE BASICS: THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, book, music, & lyrics by Richard O’Brien, directed by Loraine O’Donnell, starring Kerrykate Abel, Kris Bartolomeo, Melinda Capeles, Charmagne Chi, John Fredo, Araia Heathcott, Andrew Kowalczewski, Morgan Kyle, Ricky Needham, Mike Randall, Michele Roberts, Dave Spychalski, and Dan Urtz. with musical direction by Allan Paglia. Oct 27 – Nov 18 Thu – Sat 7:30, Matinees on Sat at 3:30 at D’Youville University’s Kavinoky Theatre, 320 Porter Ave, Buffalo, NY 14201 kavinokytheatre.com (716) 829-7668
Runtime: Two hours with one intermission
THUMBNAIL SKETCH: This 1973 cult classic musical (which preceded and was the basis for the 1975 movie) is a send-up of both science fiction and B horror movies from the 1930s to the 1960s. Sweethearts Brad and Janet stuck with a flat tire during a storm, seek shelter and a phone in the ooky-spooky creepy-eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. After taking a chainsaw to his earlier creation “Eddie,” Dr. Frank-N-Furter unveils his latest creation, a blond muscle man named “Rocky.” Described as a “kitschy rock ‘n’ roll sci-fi gothic musical” it is a lot of fun, whether you grew up throwing toast etc. at a movie screen or not. (Note: Verbal audience participation is actively encouraged but the throwing of any props is not.)
THE PLAYERS, THE PLAY, AND THE PRODUCTION:
Oh, what talented casts are gracing our area stages this month! It is, in my opinion, one of the best of times to get out and see some live theater, whether it’s serious drama at the Irish Classical or at Road Less Traveled, or the other “movie musical” across town at MusicalFare or, as reviewed here, at The Kav.
The film (that followed the musical) is still shown in movie theaters, often scheduled around Halloween, making it the longest-running continuous theatrical release in history. And the Kavinoky’s old-style theater did seem full of both Boomers and Gen Xers who probably all had memories of going to either the Granada or the Amherst theaters back in the day. As you settle into your seats, you’ll see, projected on the back wall, clips from the original black and white B movies and hokey sci-fi that inspired Richard O’Brien to write this show, the same movie clips that open the Rocky Horror movie.
Then, dressed in 1940s usher garb, Michele Roberts strolls through the audience singing “Science Fiction Double Feature” and we’re off! Soon enough we meet Brad (played by Ricky Needham who sings “nice guy” roles all over town) and Janet (Melinda Capeles whose stage technique is, as usual, flawless) and follow them to the castle where they are greeted by a weird talking door (Dave Spychalski) and by even weirder Riff-Raff played by a master of, well, weird, Dan Urtz who doesn’t “steal the show” only because he’s surrounded by other great actors, including mistress of weird, Charmagne Chi and yet another master of weird, Kris Bartolomeo as Dr. Frank-N-Furter Him? Her? Their? self whose sex scenes with Brad and Janet are pantomimed behind a curtain.
Adding to the sense of unreality is former WKBW reporter/anchor/weatherman Mike Randall as the narrator, whose serious voice was trusted for decades, here in the middle of all this madness. What’s going on? The other “adult” in the room is Dr. Scott, played by another serious voiced actor, John Fredo, from the waist up wearing a suit and tie and from the waist down just fishnet stockings and heels. Adding to the general nuttiness are Araia Heathcott, Morgan Kyle, and Dave Spychalski as androgynous yet over-sexed Transylvanians. After Eddie (Kerrykate Abel) is out of the picture, Dr. Frank-N-Furter is ready to reveal his Buck Rogers / Charles Atlas creation “Rocky” (Andrew Kowalczewski).
Allan Paglia led a first-rate pit and kudos to Eric Deeb Weaver’s choreography, Dyan Burlingame’s clever set, Brian Cavanagh’s lighting, Brian Milbrand’s projections, Donnie Woodard’s props, and Zech Saenz’s costumes. Unfortunately for me, I never went to the midnight showings of the movie, either at the Granada nor the Amherst (or anywhere else) and so I wasn’t part of the “cult.” I can’t give it Four Buffalos because the play is decidedly not “high caliber.” It is, on purpose, kitsch. But it does fit the second half of the Four Buffalo rubric “If the genre/content are up your alley, I would make a real effort to attend.” So let’s give it 3-1/2 Buffalos.
NOTE: While audiences are doing the Time Warp at The Kavinoky, over at The Allendale Theatre (Theatre of Youth’s home) the DYU Graduate Acting Company is making their debut with THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE ABRIDGED! (all 37 plays in 97 minutes) by Adam Long, Daniel Singer, & Jess Winfield, directed by Megan Callahan, starring Brendan Didio, Shanell Dixon and Kodi James, through November 12, Thu – Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2:00.
*HERD OF BUFFALO (Notes on the Rating System)
ONE BUFFALO: This means trouble. A dreadful play, a highly flawed production, or both. Unless there is some compelling reason for you to attend (i.e. you are the parent of someone who is in it), give this show a wide berth.
TWO BUFFALOS: Passable, but no great shakes. Either the production is pretty far off base, or the play itself is problematic. Unless you are the sort of person who’s happy just going to the theater, you might look around for something else.
THREE BUFFALOS: I still have my issues, but this is a pretty darn good night at the theater. If you don’t go in with huge expectations, you will probably be pleased.
FOUR BUFFALOS: Both the production and the play are of high caliber. If the genre/content are up your alley, I would make a real effort to attend.
FIVE BUFFALOS: Truly superb–a rare rating. Comedies that leave you weak with laughter, dramas that touch the heart. Provided that this is the kind of show you like, you’d be a fool to miss it!