The small BX studio is a flurry of activity as scantily clad actors race across the room, preparing for the fast-approaching performance.
Big Apple Productions乌鸦传媒� and director Neal Facey, backed by a team of talented actors willing to bare it all on stage, are gearing up to do the time warp again in the fourth annual Rocky Horror Show at O乌鸦传媒橩eefe Ranch Oct. 25-28.
乌鸦传媒淚 thought that, after most of our audience having seen the show, I assumed they would have had enough,乌鸦传媒� Schein said. 乌鸦传媒淏ut a local uprising not only from the audience but from cast and crew was really exciting. The show must go on.乌鸦传媒�
With roots in the original 1973 London musical written by Richard O乌鸦传媒橞rien, the performance tells of a trusting young couple Janet Weiss (played by Melaney Campbell) and Brad Majors (Craig Howard) who find themselves in need of aid after their car breaks down.
They travel to a nearby castle, only to fall under the twisted supervision of Dr. Frank N. Furter (Brian Martin) 乌鸦传媒� the depraved mad scientist in fishnets and high-heels 乌鸦传媒� and his lackeys Riff Raff (Don Cecile), Magenta ( ) and Furter乌鸦传媒檚 prized creation, Rocky Horror (Richard Chippendale).
It乌鸦传媒檚 a story of science fiction, B horror, sexuality and physical comedy. And it乌鸦传媒檚 one that has gained traction in Vernon audiences.
乌鸦传媒淥n the surface, it feels like a nonsensical show with very little plot,乌鸦传媒� Schein said. 乌鸦传媒淚t just grew this incredible cult following. Now, more than ever, the message of being yourself and giving in to life乌鸦传媒檚 pleasures are more relevant than ever before. I think on the popularity of the show, people want a space where they can feel welcomed and the Rocky Horror Show does that.乌鸦传媒�
Facey, who has directed the show for the past four years, agreed.
乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 a good show about inclusion 乌鸦传媒� that乌鸦传媒檚 the message that people are grabbing,乌鸦传媒� he said.
The message embedded in the performance, said Burgher 乌鸦传媒� who was a phantom in her introduction to the Rocky Horror Show last year 乌鸦传媒� is one that strikes close to home.
乌鸦传媒淚 think Vernon comes across as a conservative town, yet everyone loves this crazy show. Given the show has a cult following everywhere and that the message is so awesome, it乌鸦传媒檚 really not surprising,乌鸦传媒� she said. 乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 a town where they don乌鸦传媒檛 get that outlet.乌鸦传媒�
And for Chippendale, who is making his debut on the stage in Rocky乌鸦传媒檚 iconic skimpy gold Speedo, it乌鸦传媒檚 an opportunity to push beyond his comfort zone.
乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 crazy. I really wanted to do something big when I turned 50,乌鸦传媒� Chippendale said, joking that it doesn乌鸦传媒檛 get bigger than Rocky. 乌鸦传媒淚 saw it two years ago and was blown away. It乌鸦传媒檚 really a huge opportunity. I never dreamt of it in a million years. I truly believe you have to live each day. Anything you want to do, do it. That乌鸦传媒檚 why I乌鸦传媒檓 here.乌鸦传媒�
Pushing beyond the boundaries is something that is becoming more comfortable for Martin, who is ready for his fourth year as Dr. Frank N. Furter.
乌鸦传媒淚t feels great. I think this is the most fun I乌鸦传媒檝e had doing this,乌鸦传媒� Martin said as he sat in an outfit of heavy eye makeup, a tight black leather vest, fishnets and high-heels, leaving little to the imagination. 乌鸦传媒淚 get super nervous doing this, but it feels good this year.乌鸦传媒�
And it乌鸦传媒檚 a sentiment that is widely felt throughout the Rocky Horror Show cast.
乌鸦传媒淚t feels so good,乌鸦传媒� Burgher said of the production. 乌鸦传媒淲hen she (Schein) decided that it was going to happen, I knew I was going to come back.乌鸦传媒�
Given her previous experience in the show, Burgher is excited to try out a new character.
乌鸦传媒淚 was a bit sad to lose the phantom, but it乌鸦传媒檚 a really different perspective,乌鸦传媒� she said.
To keep the show fresh for audience who are back for their fourth year, Schein and her team have added surprise changes and a list of local celebrity guest narrators, including Mayor Akbal Mund, Betty Selin of Sun FM, the esteemed Barry Dorval, Sproing Creative乌鸦传媒檚 Heath Fletcher and many more 乌鸦传媒� all leading to a production Schein boasts as raunchier than ever.
But with Martin and Howard as the only actors returning to their former roles, it乌鸦传媒檚 a homecoming that is sure to be different from previous years.
乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 been good this year because we have a new cast,乌鸦传媒� Facey said, adding that some actors have stayed with the cast but moved to different roles. 乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 fresh. It乌鸦传媒檚 a fun show 乌鸦传媒� people should come out and expect to be entertained.乌鸦传媒�
As the crew works hard to do the time warp again, excitement is high to bring back the Vernon Halloween tradition.
乌鸦传媒淚t feels wonderful,乌鸦传媒� Schein said. 乌鸦传媒淓very time we get into the production, it feels like coming home.乌鸦传媒�
The fourth annual Rocky Horror Show runs Oct. 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m., and Oct. 27 and 28 at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. at O乌鸦传媒橩eefe Ranch. Tickets are available for #38.25 adult and $59 VIP pass through the Ticket Seller, 250-549-7469, . VIP passes include admission to Rocky Horror plus admission to both corn mazes at O乌鸦传媒橩eefe乌鸦传媒檚 Field of Screams. Pre-show wine bar provided by Italian Kitchen. Prop bags will be for sale for audience interaction. It is bleacher seating, and the show is once again presented in the round. Nudity, explicit language and sexual themes. Viewer discretion is advised.
