“The Rocky Horror Show” with Book, Music and Lyrics by Richard O’Brien, Directed and Choreographed by Quae Simpson will be presented by Iron Crow Theatre will open February 7, 2020, until February 16, 2020, at the Baltimore Theatre Project in Baltimore, Maryland.
This production will have a Valentine’s Day spin. Expect the “Quintessential queer theatrical experience live on stage.” This includes cascading toilet paper and other audience participation props. The show is based on the cult film “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”
The cast includes Asia-Ligé Arnold as Columbia, Timoth David Copney as Dr. Frank ‘N’ Furter, Nicholle D’Anna as Phantom, Benjamin Eisenhour as Riff-Raff, Danielle Irene Harrow as Magenta, Brett Klock as Brad Majors, Brandon Shaw McKnight as Rocky, Nicholas Miles as Narrator/Phantom, Connor O’May as Eddie/Dr. Scott, Sam Slottow as Phantom, and Bailey Walker as Janet Weiss.
The Iron Crow Theatre is Baltimore’s award-winning professional queer theatre. To find out more about them go to their website.
I had a chance to interview Timoth D. Copley who stars as Dr. Frank’N’Furter.
Bio: Timoth David Copney (Dr. Frank ‘N’ Furter): Iron Crow Theatre debut! Timoth is delighted to be making his debut with Iron Crow Theatre! Recent roles: Padre (“Man of La Mancha”), Jo(Anne) (“Company”), The Wiz (“The Wiz”), Jacob (“La Cage Aux Folles”), Judas (“Jesus Christ Superstar”), Bobby (“A Chorus Line”) and Old Man (“In the Closet”),Belize (“Angels in America”). Directed and/or choreographed: “Songs For a New World,” “Man of La Mancha,” “The Tempest”, “Sweet Charity,” “Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris,” “Oliver” (2x), “The Wiz” (2x), “Ragtime” (3x), “Guys and Dolls,” “Hello Dolly” (2x), “Annie,” “Godspell” (2x), “Sunday in the Park with George,” “Drowsy Chaperone,” “Addams Family.” Current Board Chair Baltimore Playwright Festival. Past Artistic Director of Liberty Showcase Theatre. Former Vice President Baltimore Theatre Alliance.
- Can you tell us about yourself?
I was born in Dayton Ohio but finished high school in Cincinnati, which I consider now my hometown. I started dancing as a kid doing local talent shows and began formal ballet training at 13. I did my first major role at 15 when the director of the Miami Valley Dance Guild wrote a new ballet, “The Gajo,” with music by the Roy Merriweather Trio based on Weber’s score for “Jesus Christ Superstar.” The director of the Atlanta Ballet saw me and offered me a full ride to study there so I moved to Atlanta at 15, trained with the ABC then moved to the Southern Ballet before starting a career in professional dance doing Equity tours of musicals like “Annie Get Your Gun,” “Music Man,” “Applause” and several others. I have been at this for close to 50 years and now divide my time as a theatre reviewer for MD Theatre Guide, chair of the Baltimore Playwrights Festival, as well as acting, choreographing and directing Baltimore area productions.
- Would you rather direct, act, choreograph or write and why?
It is frequently totally dependent on what opportunities are in front of me at any given time. I have the luxury of only doing things I want to do. I’m retired from any full-time day job, so I can choose. I love choreographing the most, and I’m really embracing directing as well. I don’t dance much anymore due to my age, but I sing, so roles like Dr. Frankenfurter, Padre in “Man of La Mancha,” Jo(Anne) in “Company” – all of which I will have done in the last 12 months – are much more to my liking.
- What was your favorite role as an actor? Play as a director?
Strictly as an actor, I have two – Belize in “Angels in America,” Old Man in Sigmund Fuch’s play In “The Closet,” and as a singer/actor, I’d have to say Jo in “Company,” Judas in “JC Superstar” and of course – Dr. Frank in “Rocky Horror!”
- After “The Rocky Horror Show” do you have anything planned theatrically?
I have one I can’t talk about yet, but it’s a Sondheim play and a bucket list part for me. What I can discuss is I am going to direct and choreograph a brand-new work by a local writer, Rich Espey and music by BSO bassist Jonathan Jensen, based on the life of William Donald Shaeffer. It’s a terrific piece to be produced by the Baltimore Playwright Festival with support from Fells Point Corner Theatre. It will open in August of 2020.
- Is there a role you would like to play? A play you would like to direct?
I am much more interested these days in gender fluid roles. I don’t pretend to have the expertise to do Drag – I have way too much respect for the genre. I do, however, love being an actor who can go between and beyond gender stereotypes to play traditionally female roles, like Joanne in “Company.” I would love to play Madame Armfeldt in “A Little Night Music.” As a director, I have “Once,” the Broadway play on my bucket list.
For more information and tickets on “The Rocky Horror Show” go to this link.
Note: This show is for mature audiences over 18 because of adult language, partial nudity, sexual content and simulated violence.
The group would like you to know that Iron Crow Theatre uses their annual production of “The Rocky Horror Show” as a fundraiser each year for both the Iron Crow Theatre Sustainability Fund and Moveable Feast. Since 2009 Iron Crow Theatre has donated over $8,000.00 to Moveable Feast. In the Spring of 2009, Iron Crow Theatre was formed after a group of artists came together to raise funds for this organization serving those living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other terminal illnesses. Once Artistic Director Sean Elias joined Iron Crow Theatre in 2016, the organization returned to this tradition each and every year.
