It’s time to do the Time Warp again at “The Rocky Horror Show”

Many theaters in the area have an annual Christmas classic, like A Christmas Carol, A Child’s Christmas in Wales, or It’s a Wonderful Life. But Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, Penn. likes to buck trends sometimes — their annual classic is put on for Halloween. It’s the raucous rock musical The Rocky Horror Show! And this year’s edition is a riotous treat from start to finish!

This spoof of 50’s-era horror and science fiction movies is familiar to fans of the stage show or its movie incarnation, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Teens Brad and Janet have a car breakdown during a thunderstorm. They seek assistance at the spooky Frankenstein place, encountering the occupants — butler Riff Raff, maid Magenta, “personal assistant” Columbia, and mad scientist Frank N. Furter. Dr. Furter displays his latest creation, a buff, nearly nude male, Rocky. Furter introduces Rocky, Brad, and Janet to his hedonistic philosophy, but is opposed by the teens’ science tutor, Dr. Scott.

Richard O’Brien’s show — he wrote the book, music, and lyrics — is given a sparkling Technicolor presentation, created by scenic designer Jeff Perri, Nicole V. Moody’s costumes, Travis McHale’s lighting, and the sound design of Bart Fasbender. The cast is headed up by the flamboyant Frankie Grande, repeating his turn last year as Frank N. Furter. Michael Burrell and understudy Natalie Welch portray stereotypical 50’s male-female behavior, and their descent into sexual liberation is hysterical. 

Alyssa Wray’s Amazonian Magenta kicks off the show with a powerful rendition of “Science Fiction Double Feature”. She is joined later by Tim Shea’s comically creepy Riff Raff and the chorus for “The Time Warp”.

Additional quirky humor is provided by Larkin Reilly’s Columbia, Benjamin Howes as both Dr. Scott and the show’s stiff, hammy Narrator, and Mike Bindeman’s sweetly innocent Rocky. Director Hunter Foster, a Bucks County Playhouse favorite, and choreographer Shannon Lewis put the talented cast through its paces, to the accompaniment of the three-piece band of Mike DiFebbo, Jason Wolbach, and Jon Ball.

The Rocky Horror Show is a manic mash-up of movie nostalgia, rock concert, and slapstick, burlesque comedy. The audience is encouraged to join in the fun. The theater supplies props to use during the show, including sheets of newspaper and rice. And like the movie, audience members shout out responses to familiar lines from the show.

You’re even invited to do the Time Warp on stage with the cast after the show! So what’s holding you back from making the trip over to the Frankenstein place and experiencing The Rocky Horror Show? GO, already!

The Rocky Horror Show is presented by the Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, Penn. through Nov. 3, 2024. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 215-862-2121 or go to bcptheater.org.