"The Rocky Horror Show"

June 15, 2017 — Currently on stage at the Winnipesaukee Playhouse (the "Winni") in Meredith, New Hampshire, is a fast-paced, sexy, hilarious production of "The Rocky Horror Show." Opening in London with book, music and lyrics by Richard O'Brien in 1973, the play received positive reviews. The 1975 movie based on the play, re-titled "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," was not as well-received, but achieved cult status at midnight showings that continue to this day, featuring wild audience participation, where patrons dressed in costume throw various items around, repeat dialog and lyrics and dance in the aisles and at their seats.

The Winni invited the audience to participate, but in a carefully controlled way. Patrons could dress in costume, as some did, but were not allowed to bring their own objects into the theater. Any bags brought into the theater were subject to search. A five dollar charity contribution entitled you to a theater-provided kit containing a flashlight, confetti, toilet paper, a newspaper and playing cards, along with instructions as to which points in the performance to use these items. There was no annoyance to patrons who chose not to participate, although I did comb some confetti out of my hair the next morning.

The theater was bathed in violet light as we entered. Multi-colored chandeliers hung from the rafters along with strings of colored lights. Actors roamed the aisles and kibitzed with the audience before the play started. Set designer Dan Daly's impressive set consisted of several stairways and platforms. It resembled his set for last year's play, "Israel Potter, American Patriot."

This production at the Winni was directed by Timothy L'Ecuyer. Janet (Rebecca Tucker) and Brad (Michael Luongo), after a walk in the rain after their car breaks down, stumble into a strange mansion filled with stranger people. All they wanted was to use a phone, but that's not what the mansion's weird residents have in store for them. I won't go into all the details which by now are familiar to many, but suffice it to say this high-energy performance, with great music under the direction of Shoshona Seid-Green and dance numbers choreographed by Brian Knowlton was well-received with frequent loud cheering and applause by the enthusiastic audience.

Mark Stephen Woods, heavy-set and towering over all the other performers, pretty much stole the show with his over-the-top portrayal of the transvestite, Frank-N-Furter. Wayne Shuker was Rocky and Anthony Logan Cole with his powerful voice took the dual roles of Eddie and Dr. Scott. Artistic director Neil Pankhurst did a rare acting turn as the narrator. Equally noteworthy were John-Michael Breen as Riff Raff, Valerie Nuccio as Magenta, and Sandia Ahlers as Columbia. The supporting cast was excellent. R-rated scenes behind back-lighted sheets at the beginning of Act 2 were cleverly staged and hilarious. This was a great start to my summer theater tour.