Iron Crow Theatre’s production of “The Rocky Horror Show” runs only during October 26 – 31, 2017, and I was lucky to get in for opening night! Directed by Artistic Director and CEO Sean Elias, Iron Crow does this horror/fantasy classic justice. This “Rocky” production also benefits Baltimore’s Moveable Feast and the Iron Crow Theatre Sustainability Fund.
I am sure everyone knows the story by now but here is the summary just in case. Couple Brad and Janet are as innocent as you can get who, after their car breaks down on a deserted dark road, run into a creepy castle and decide to ask the inhabitants for some help. Much to their surprise and condemnation, they meet Dr. Frank N. Furter who is resolved on world domination and creating the “perfect man.” Brad and Janet are soon dragged (or are they?) into his disreputable plans in this campy rock musical that pays homage to the 1950s science fiction films. This distinctive musical involves the audience (most of the time with prop bags!) and always brings them into the fun.
Iron Crow’s “Rocky” production is well worth seeing…
I try to see “Rocky” at least once a year, usually during Halloween, and these productions are always great fun, but here is why Iron Crow’s production is different and in some ways better…
When you first walk into the theatre the Usherettes meet you, with, of course, their barely there clothes, but in this production, it is easy to see that they are having fun and that they are relaxed and happy with who they are and they want you to be as well. They mingle with the audience through the entire play and welcome everyone into a very exclusive and at times, a very naughty party.
I felt more a part of the action on stage than I usually do during other “Rocky” shows. Yes, there is the expected prop bag (although this one goes all out with a squirt gun, a party hat, confetti and rubber gloves, to name a few items) but the stage is so close that everyone in the audience can almost reach out and touch the actors and it is easy to see that the actors love and work with the energy flowing from the audience.
Allison Bradbury as Janet and Nick Fruit as Brad enter the stage as the perfect innocent couple with no idea what they are in for. Bradbury’s voice is strong and sweet and Fruit is a great Brad as an accommodating man with a bit of a bad boy lurking underneath. Bradbury and Fruit’s duet, “Damn It Janet,” is one of the highlights of the show.
Another highlight is when Meghan Taylor makes her appearance as Eddie in “Hot Patootie” roaring on the stage in a gold painted kiddie battery charged motorbike. She belts out the song and commands the stage.
Of course, there is, I think, the best song in the play, “Sweet Transvestite,” sung by Frank ‘N’ Furter played by Nicholas Miles. His Frank ‘N’ Furter is casual and friendly, more like Aretha Franklin than the original ‘sweet transvestite,’ Tim Curry.
Terrance Fleming is a joy to look at as Rocky, Caitlin Weaver as Columbia has a solid voice and Christian Gonzalez and Danielle Harrow as Riff Raff and Magenta, respectively, work well together.
Also, the orchestra (Mandee Ferrier Roberts, Chris Spagnolo, Jarrett Rettman, Tanner Selby and Garrett Fields) does a wonderful job and keeps up with the entertaining mayhem going on stage.
Iron Crow’s “Rocky” production is well worth seeing, so grab your fishnets, corsets and high heel shoes and get to the Motor House because Halloween night is the last show before they all return to their home planet.
Running Time: 2 hours and 15 minutes with one intermission.
Advisory: Adult themes.
“The Rocky Horror Show” runs through October 31, 2017. Click here for tickets.
