[NEohioPAL] Review of "The Rocky Horror Show" at CVLT

[Bob Abelman]

CVLT boldly jumps to the left with 'Rocky Horror'

 

Bob Abelman

 

News-Herald, Chagrin Valley Times, Solon Times,

The Morning Journal, Geauga Times Courier

Member, American Theatre Critics Association 

 

This review will appear in the News-Herald 7/29/11

 

Each time the Chagrin Valley Little Theatre strays from things safe and Seussical, it is a small step in the right direction. Venturing into the realm of Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show-a science-fiction rock-n-roll sex comedy-is a giant leap.

 

Well, more like a jump to the left and then a step to the right.

 

Rocky Horror started out as a campy parody of the sci-fi and horror B-movies of the 1940s and 1950s.  It premiered in London in 1973 to so much fanfare that it was turned into a film in 1975, which failed miserably as did the subsequent New York stage production.  Picked up as a kitschy midnight flick at an artsy Greenwich Village movie house, the film developed a cult following and a penchant for rowdy and racy audience participation, which spread to theaters across the country.  

 

The renewed popularity of the film resulted in renewed interest in the play that is currently on stage at the CVLT.

 

Rocky Horror traces the one-night misadventure of straight-laced Brad and Janet, who seek assistance at an eerie old castle after their car breaks down.  There they are introduced to Transylvanian transvestite Frank-N-Furter and his erotically clad clan of servants and ghoulish devotees.  As it happens, the couple arrives on a special evening, for Frank-N-Furter will be giving life to his latest creation-a muscle-bound mate named Rocky.  

 

Clearly the story is not this play's strongest suit.  The dialogue is no great shakes either.  In fact, it is the inanity of the dialogue that resulted in the counterpoint shout-outs, audience reenactments and other assorted forms of patron participation in the first place.  

 

The true allure of Rocky Horror is its actual performance.  If performed with absolute abandon-that is, if the actors embrace all that is campy and over-the-top in this parody, and the audience wholeheartedly accepts what it is given-than the B-movie storyline and the mindless dialogue take a backseat to the sheer exhilaration of the storytelling.  

 

This is precisely what occurs during the CVLT production under Greta Rothman's very creative direction.  She pushes all the fun to the forefront and has put together a fine show.  

 

It starts with the music, which doesn't so much accompany the play's sixteen musical numbers as showcase them.  A phenomenal six piece band directed by David Keith Stiver rocks the rafters. 

 

The same hard-driving energy in the music translates to the stage performances thanks in large part to a thoroughly dedicated Greek Chorus of phantoms, played by Patricia Welsh, Jen Ryan, Kelly Aker, Brie Arko, Nikolai Fedyszyn, Samantha Gebler, Alex LaForce, M.J. Mihalic, Laura Rightnour-Henri, Andrew Kondik and Scott Zolkowski.   As omnipresent Frank-N-Furter fans, these creatures of the night are completely into this production and, during the many ensemble musical numbers, perform Pam LaForce's raucous and sexy choreography without a hint of hesitancy or inhibition.

 

The same can be said for the featured players, who pay homage to the iconic film versions of their characters but also add their own particular flair.  

 

The charismatic Steven Tiderman plays lingerie-clad transvestite Frank-N-Furter to the hilt, owning the audience from the moment of his dramatic entrance to his melodramatic demise.  

 

Damian Henri and Arianna Taxman as enthusiastic do-gooders Brad and Janet are as delightfully clueless as Brandon Hood, Leah Frires and Michelle Unger are demonic in the roles of the disgruntled servants Riff Raff, Magenta and Columbia, respectively.   

 

The diminutive Ralph Diludovico, as Rocky, is more pumped up pull-toy than beefcake poster boy but his charm and fine voice are a winning combination.  Chad Duwe as bad boy biker Eddie is wonderful in his short but rocking cameo number "Hot Patootie," while Eric Sofer as Dr. Scott and Don Bernardo as the play's narrator turn in serviceable performances in roles with less wiggle-room for originality.   

 

Edmond Wolff's set and lighting design and Andrew Rothman's video effects offer just the right amount of macabre, technical bells and whistles, and bizarre artifacts to keep things visually interesting throughout the production. 

 

For Rocky Horror first-timers, the CVLT provides a guide to proper audience participation upon entering the theater.  

 

During the performance, audience members are encouraged to partake in the "Time Warp" choreography. This, like the show as a whole, requires putting one's inhibitions aside, ignoring one's preconceptions of what theater ought to be, and taking a jump to the left.   

 

The Rocky Horror Show continues through August 20 at the Chagrin Valley Little Theatre, 56 River Street, Chagrin Falls.  For tickets, $14 to $18, call 440-247-8955 or visit www.cvlt.org.
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