RECOMMENDED
Madness takes control of Naperville’s BrightSide Theatre in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Live!,” a restaging of the cult classic musical directed by Jeffrey Cass. Running through November 9, the familiar cast of wacky characters is complete—there’s Brad and Janet (Michael Lynch and Brooke Kassal), the virginal couple who stumble upon a castle of sex and horror, Frank-N-Furter (John McNally), the cross-dressing mad scientist, and his underlings, including the enigmatic Riff Raff (Charlie Kungl), the vixen Magenta (Michelle Bolliger) and the tap-dancing rebel Columbia (Collette Michelle).
All have for the object of their affection the specimen of the perfect man, Rocky Horror (Ben Chalex), with bulging… muscles… packed into a gold speedo. To make matters interesting, motorcycle-riding tough guy Eddie and wheelchair-bound Dr. Scott, both played by Mary Grace Martens, threaten Frank-N-Furter’s scheme of sexual liberation, bestowed upon him by aliens from the planet Transsexual in the galaxy Transylvania. The “Time Warp,” “Damn It, Janet,” “Touch-a Touch-a Touch Me” and all the hit songs are treated with deference, and the audience is encouraged not only to sing along but to participate—become an instant “phantom” by purchasing a prop bag and instructions for each cue.
This “Rocky Horror” has all the heart and audacity of the original. Heads roll! Limbs roll! There’s ferocious fornication and enough gratuitous pelvic thrusting to drive you insane with glee. McNally as “Frank-N-Furter” smolders in the role, dressed in a tight leather corset, their long legs covered in thigh-high stockings supported by long garters. Intimidating and alluring, McNally fills the role with panache. Martens as Eddie and Dr. Scott is a comedic delight. The austere Narrator (Scott Kelley) is expertly woven in and out of the action in ways that feel more organic than the film’s harsh mid-scene crosscuts. Director Cass shows respect for diehard fans, and the ensemble comes pre-ready to pause at key moments for callouts: Janet! Slut! Asshole! He’s got no fucking neck!
What the show lacks is the soul of the original—a rock ‘n’ roll aesthetic in the characters’ delivery. While a direct translation of the film is not only impossible but gauche, what makes the characters special is their personalities, little tics and dynamics of voice that resemble different rock archetypes: glam, metal, goth, Bowie-esque. Only Kassal as “Janet” truly embodies the soul of a rock ‘n’ roll deviant, sneaking in little squeaks and “ohs” between the lyrics and belting out sudden melismatic phrases. Tweaks to each character could make them really pop.
Overall, this “Rocky Horror” does its job and does it well. I caught up with superfan Brenden Holste, a resident of Aurora who contributed the most audience callouts, and they say this is the highlight of the month. “As a lifelong theater fan,” says Holste, “it’s wonderful to see [a show] around here that has a cult following but can also fulfill the average theatergoer who is not averse to having a good time.” Whether you’re a “virgin” to the show or an already converted “phantom,” BrightSide’s “Rocky Horror” is a killer production that is out of this world fun.
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Live!” runs through November 9 at BrightSide Theatre, 31 South Ellsworth Street, Naperville. Tickets are $37-$42, available at brightsidetheatre.com.
