The Rocky Horror Show coming to VU’s stage

Kami Minnich

The theatre program is preparing for a unique production. Rehearsals are now underway for “The Rocky Horror Show,” a musical that is a jumble of sexuality, comedy and drama. It will take place in the Red Skelton Performing Arts Center.

The show is being directed by Kendra Clauser, the program chair for theatre.

“This show is kind of a parody of sci-fi and horror films of the ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s,” Clauser explained.

“The basic storyline isn’t much, it’s [about] a young couple [who] ends up getting a flat tire, and they try to find some help. They go to this castle, and it ends up being this crazy, sexy place, with kind of unusual people.”

The castle is home to Dr. Frank N. Furter, a transvestite mad scientist, his cohorts and housemaids, and a new experiment Frank ‘N’ Furter reveals to the young couple, Brad Majors and Janet Weiss.

“It shows what happens to this couple while they’re staying at this house,” Clauser explained. “We’re just trying to find ways to make sure the story makes sense […] it doesn’t always make sense.” Clauser smiled before adding, “You don’t necessarily go for the story, you go for the experience.”

Marquese Harrell, who plays Dr. Frank N. Furter in the play, said,“I get to be that extra and over the top personality everyone says I have.”

He noted the depth of his character. “He knows he looks odd and doesn’t care what the next person says about it.”

Dates and show times are: Thursday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. ; and  Saturday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m.

Tickets are on sale now and cost $12 for adults, $7 for seniors, and $5 for non-VU students. VU employees and students will be admitted free with their university ID. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.vinu.edu/red-skelton, by phone at  812-888-4039, or in person at the Red Skelton Box Office. Box Office hours are posted on the VU website. The adult advisory for the show reads that due to its content, an advisory for children under the age of 13 is suggested.

The show features a cast and crew of students and community members. VU students include: Marquese Harrell of Chicago as Dr. Frank ‘N’ Furter; Noah Wright of Greenwood as Brad Majors; Evelyn Crowley of Vincennes as Janet Weiss; Chris Jones of Plainfield as Rocky; Deakin Axtell of Cayuga as Riff Raff; Lydia Hancock of Westphalia as Columbia; Sydney Armstrong of New Palestine as Magenta; Kyle Gregory of Washington as Eddie; Jay McFarland of McCordsville as Dr. Everett Scott; Mariah Bridgewater of Loogootee as The Usherette/A Phantom; Jake Sexton of Bloomington as a Narrator; Hannah Mohr of Thorntown as a Narrator; Kristen Heshelman of Elnora as a Narrator; Armani Smith of Merrillville as a Narrator; Nino Long of Clarksville as a Narrator; Peyton Jones of Greencastle as a Narrator; Isaiah Hatcher of Avon as a Phantom and Garrett Barrasas of Hobart as a Phantom. Community members include Taletha Provines of Vincennes as a Phantom.