“The Rocky Horror Show” still makes us shiver with antici…

10/21/2025

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This is a vibrant theatrical photo of a performer, likely playing the role of Frank-N-Furter from The Rocky Horror Show, standing dramatically on a stage. The performer is a pale-skinned person wearing a black, lace-up corset and matching fishnet stockings with purple garters and matching underwear. They have short, styled blonde hair, and their arms are raised high, spreading an enormous pair of iridescent, clear, fan-like wings that catch the light with pink and purple reflections. The background is a darkly lit, elaborate stage set featuring heavy red velvet curtains to the left and dark wooden or sculpted architectural details behind them. The lighting is focused on the central figure, giving the scene a dynamic, flamboyant feel. — The Rocky Horror Show (Photo by Bucks County Playhouse)

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, Pennsylvania 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 1950s-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, “Don’t dream it — BE it!”, but is opposed by the teens’ science teacher, 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, reprising his turns in previous years as Frank N. Furter. Jordan Bollwork and Natalie Welch as Brad and Janet 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 powerfully sexy rendition of “Science Fiction Double Feature”. She is joined later by Tim Shea’s comically creepy Riff Raff and the ensemble for “The Time Warp.” Additional quirky humor is provided by Madeline Benoit‘s Columbia; Patrick Richwood as both Dr. Scott and the show’s stiff, hammy Narrator; Skyler Shields’ sweetly innocent Rocky; and Stanley Martin’s Eddie, one of Frank N. Furter’s experiments gone wrong.

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. And like at the movie, audience members shout out responses to familiar lines.

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? Especially since Bucks County Playhouse has announced that it won’t be bringing Rocky and the gang back next year! GO, already!

The Rocky Horror Show is presented by the Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, Pennsylvania through Nov. 2, 2025. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to bcptheater.org.