Sexy ‘Rocky Horror Show’ comes to rock the Old Globe stage

By Diana Saenger

For more than 35 years, “The Rocky Horror Picture” film or since 1973, Richard O’Brien’s stage production, “The Rocky Horror Show,” have each brought die-hard fans out of the woodwork to see these productions time and time again. Directed by James Vasquez, The Old Globe brings “The Rocky Horror Show” to San Diego through Nov. 26.

The funny and stylishly bizarre musical is about Brad (Kelsey Kurz) and Janet (Jeanna de Waal ) a young couple who have a flat in the middle of nowhere. They get help from Dr. Frank N. Furter, a mad scientist who reveals he’s a transvestite. Transported into a time warp, Brad and Janet get an introduction to a sexual revolution that opens a world of surprises.

Directors through the years have said the show has remained vibrant generation after generation because of its overriding message about finding one’s self.

The story is about getting rid of any emotional baggage, being joyful and celebrating life. At its center is this anti-hero audiences fall in love with and kind of feel a connection to.

When searching for a cast, The Old Globe looked for actors with amazing voices who were sexy in a different way. These include: Andrew Call (Eddie, Phantom), Sydney James Harcourt (Rocky), Nadine Isenegger (Columbia), Lauren Lim Jackson (Phantom), David Andrew Macdonald (Narrator, Dr. Scott), Anna Schnaitter (Phantom), Laura Shoop (Magenta), Kit Treece (Phantom) and Jason Wooten (Riff Raff).

Matt McGrath plays Frank ‘N’ Furter, a master of disguise and madman who claims to have discovered the secret to life.

The Globe’s creative team is Donyale Werle (Scenic Design), Emily Rebholz (Costume Design), Rui Rita (Lighting), Kevin Kennedy (Sound), Aaron Rhyne (Projection) and Anjee Nero (Stage Manager).

The biggest dance number in the show, “Time Warp,” has created its own pop culture following. The show’s choreography is by JT Horenstein with music direction by Mike Wilkins.

If you go

What: “The Rocky Horror Show”

When: 7 p.m. Tuesdays-Wednesdays; 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 4 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays; 8 p.m. Oct. 31 (Halloween); no show Nov. 1. Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 15-Nov. 26

Where: The Old Globe Theatre, Balboa Park

Tickets: From $29.

Box Office: (619) 23-GLOBE

Related events: oldglobe.org for schedule of post-show forums, costume parties

Note: The show contains no nudity or unacceptable language, but it has a lot of camp and suggestive scenes.