Landmark Musical The Rocky Horror Show Opens at Performance Riverside

October 31, November 1, 7, 8, 14, 15 at 8:00 p.m.
November 2, 8, 16 at 2:00 p.m.
Special Performances:
Thursday, October 30 at 10:00 p.m. and
Friday, November 14 at 12:00 Midnight
$20 General Admission for these two shows only

Book, Music and Lyrics by Richard O'Brien

Musical Direction by Don Le Master
Directed and Choreographed by John Vaughan
Produced by Steven A. Glaudini

Landis Auditorium
4800 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside

Ticket Prices: $24, $27 and $32
Box Office: (909) 222-8100

In keeping with its tradition of producing some of the most adventurous programming of any major Southland musical theatre company, Performance Riverside is set to open Richard O'Brien's legendary musical The Rocky Horror Show. One of the longest running shows in London theatre history, the movie version of the stage musical has gone on since its 1975 premiere to become the most successful midnight film of all time.

Featuring a score which has been called "among the most lively and fun in all of musical theatre", The Rocky Horror Show is an outrageous and hilarious homage to 1950's "B" science fiction movies as well as Frankie Avalon and Anette Funicello outings and rock n' roll of every vintage. Naïve and newly engaged Brad and Janet seek refuge from a storm in the asylum-like castle of the gender-bending Dr. Frank 'n' Furter. They find themselves in a glitter rock transvestite circus filled with every manner of unusual and colorful characters.

"We're very excited about this show," says Performance Riverside's Executive Director and Producer, Steven A. Glaudini. "By its very nature, it's a show that lives on the edge but has a unique ability to inspire and entertain just about everyone through a contagious sense of fun."

"We're hoping that we attract a more widespread audience base," continues Glaudini. "It's the kind of show that will do that. But our regular patrons are going to have a great time, too. All we ask is that everyone relax and, to quote the character of Frank, 'Give yourself over to absolute pleasure.'"

The movie is widely known for its audience participation, with patrons singing, dancing and shouting lines at and along with characters on the screen. In addition, many fans arrive dressed as their favorite character. "We encourage audience participation for our production but on a much more controlled level," says Glaudini. "No one will be allowed to bring items into the theatre but we will be selling special audience participation kits."

The Rocky Horror Show will be directed and choreographed by John Vaughan, whose previous work at Performance Riverside has included Big River, Oliver! and Cabaret. Starring as Frank 'n' Furter is Eric Anderson, known by Performance Riverside audiences for his portrayals of such villains as Chauvelin in The Scarlet Pimpernel, Bill Sykes in Oliver!, Jigger Craigin in Carousel and Ponitius Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar. Elsewhere he recently has appeared as Tateh in Ragtime at Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities and the Moonlight Amphitheatre and Richard M. Nixon in Judy's Scary Little Christmas at the Victory Theatre in Burbank.

The rest of the cast includes Damon Kirsche as Brad Majors, Anne Warren as Janet Weiss, Chris Hall as Riff Raff, and Christia Mantzke as Magenta.

Show dates are October 31, November 1, 7, 8, 14 and 15 at 8:00 p.m., and November 2, 8 and 16 at 2:00 p.m. Ticket prices are $24, $27 and $32. There will be two additional performances, the first on Thursday, October 30 at 10:00 p.m. and the second on Friday, November 14 at 12:00 midnight. Tickets for these two special performances are $20 for general admission seating. "We thought a preview that ushers in Halloween would be fun," says Glaudini. "And what would Rocky Horror be without at least one midnight show?"

For tickets or more information, call the Performance Riverside box office at (909) 222-8100 or visit them on the web at www.performanceriverside.com.