Rocky Horror Show!

[warreng88]

The people that were at sponsor preview night and understood what to expect absolutely loved the show. It is being described as the same tent, different circus and you will see why when you see the show. Monte is amazing and is my favorite character actor that Lyric constantly brings in. He was Clayton in Tarzan this summer, the taller of the two actors in Mystery of Irma Vep last October, Mr. MacAffee in Bye Bye Birdie last summer, the Male authority figure in Hairspray the previous summer and Mr Sowerberry in Oliver. He played Frank-N-Furter in the The Rocky Horror Show the first time Lyric did it about five years ago.

[warreng88]

The Oklahoman Review:

Seeing “Rocky Horror” for the first time

Published: October 23, 2013

by Anna Holloway

For those who have not experienced it, the words “Rocky Horror Show” evoke rumors of strangely dressed people behaving oddly to a movie. Some of the stories might be a little frightening—transvestite Frankenstein and maybe bondage and homosexuality? Is this really the stuff of theatre? Is it safe for a date?

Yes. Absolutely yes.

The Lyric’s production of “The Rocky Horror Show” is hysterically engaging and entertaining musical theatre in the grand and campy tradition of 1950s horror and sci-fi flicks, presented in a wonderfully shabby chic carnival environment that evokes both the 1932 movie “Freaks” and circus strongman masculinity. The songs reference 1950s radio hits, performed in a fully realized contemporary style.

The story is very simple: naïve “normals” Brad and Janet are seeking assistance because their car has broken down in the rain. They come to the house of Dr. Frank ‘N’ Furter, who is building the perfect man—Rocky. In the course of their evening, Brad and Janet lose quite a number of things—but then, so do Frank and Rocky.

Directed by Matthew Alvin Brown and choreographed by Christopher Castleberry, the show is accessible to the “Rocky Horror” virgin as well as a fun reinvention for the more experienced fan. Brown has assembled a brilliantly balanced cast and given a lightly refreshed feel to the show. The use of space in the set design, choreography, and direction works impressively to move the story forward. Castleberry has built some astonishingly beautiful dance numbers; under the baton of Brian Hamilton, the music is, as one expects from Lyric, just grand.

Monte Riegel Wheeler (Frank) gives an operatically vocal nuance to the spoken text, in addition to singing the role with great gusto and assurance. Lexi Windsor (Janet) and Sean Eckhart (Brad) make a splendidly confused couple, transitioning from ignorance to experience in a way that would make William Blake proud. As with Mary Shelley’s Creature, Rocky is the only true innocent, and Sean Burroughs gives a physically and vocally affecting performance.

As Frank’s “servants,” Colin Anderson performed Riff Raff with a delightfully sinister glee, and Kate Moore gives us a tart and sexually petulant Magenta. Renee Anderson (Columbia) and Vince Leseney (Eddie/Dr. Scott) are both dramatically successful complements to the action. The narrator, a carnival fortune telling machine, is played with great majesty and sly humor by W. Jerome Stevenson. The narrator’s job includes bending the occasional steely gaze upon the audience; Stevenson handles this masterfully.

Be prepared: audience participation is part of the experience. Four “Phantoms” provide instruction at the beginning, and the program, cleverly designed to fully complement the experience, also offers directions. This is fully adult theatre, not recommended for anyone who has not yet figured out what sex is all about. There is no nudity, but plenty of sexual play, innuendo, and suggestion. If you are more likely to be offended by transFrank’s corsets, fishnets, and heels than by Rocky’s skimpy gold lame shorts, this show is not for you.

“The Rocky Horror Show” is at Lyric on the Plaza at 1727 NW 16th in Oklahoma City through November 2, running Tuesday – Thursday at 7:30, Friday and Saturday at 8:00, and 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, October 26, and Thursday, October 31. Some shows are already sold out; check Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma for availability.

Seeing ?Rocky Horror? for the first time | News OK

[warreng88]

Ok, last post on the Rocky Horror show, I promise. There are only nine show (including tonight) left until Rocky ends and there are only 94 tickets total remaining for all the shows. The 10/26 midnight show and the 11/2 shows are completely sold out. If you still want to go, your best bet is on Halloween because there are 10 tickets left for the 7:30 show and 61 tickets for the midnight show. I have posted the link a few times.

For the people who have seen it, please post your reviews. I would like to see what other people think.

[betts]

It looked sold out on the website. Did you call for tickets?

[warreng88]

It looked sold out on the website. Did you call for tickets?

No, I went to the website and looked at each individual show. If you click on the show you want to see and then click on the area you want to sit in, it will show what tickets are available.

[ThomPaine]

No, I went to the website and looked at each individual show. If you click on the show you want to see and then click on the area you want to sit in, it will show what tickets are available.

It was a bit confusing when I bought mine, you have to click on the center, left or right to see what's available in each section. Not sure why they can't just show all the seats on one page... We're going next week.

[warreng88]

It was a bit confusing when I bought mine, you have to click on the center, left or right to see what's available in each section. Not sure why they can't just show all the seats on one page... We're going next week.

Yeah, it is a little confusing to a first time user. I had to mess around with it a little to make sure I was getting the number right. Another thing you can do is hover over the section and it will tell you how many tickets are still available in the area. That helped me with coming up with the total number available.

[Prunepicker]

The Rocky Horror Show at Lyric Theatre opens back up tomorrow
night! Get your tickets now!

The Rocky Horror Show | Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma

I've played RHS sooo many times. Each time seems to be raunchier
than the previous.

[ThomPaine]

Just got back. Pretty good show, and I was really impressed with the theater and the overall production quality. Great spot to see a show!

[ljbab728]

Just got back. Pretty good show, and I was really impressed with the theater and the overall production quality. Great spot to see a show!

Yes, it's a nice theater and I'm looking forward to Saturday night there.

[ThomPaine]

Yes, it's a nice theater and I'm looking forward to Saturday night there.

Bring cash for your prop bags!

[ljbab728]

Bring cash for your prop bags!

Sorry, I don't do the props. LOL

I'll leave that to the professional audience members.

[ljbab728]

This was so much fun. My daughter loved it and her boyfriend, who had never really been to a live musical before, was basically amazed. LOL

Kudos to the cast and crew.

[soonerguru]

It was great! Never really have seen many Lyric productions, but the quality of this performance has gotten my attention. Planning to check out Spamalot.

[warreng88]

Glad you all enjoyed it so much. Lyric is bringing back for the fourth year in a row A Christmas Carol and opening night is the Friday after Thanksgiving. It is a great show and several of the major roles have been recast so even if you have seen it before, it will be a little different than the previous years.

[betts]

I went Halloween night and really enjoyed it. I'd just seen Kinky Boots on Broadway and the Lyric's Frank was better than the Kinky Boots lead.

[warreng88]

I went Halloween night and really enjoyed it. I'd just seen Kinky Boots on Broadway and the Lyric's Frank was better than the Kinky Boots lead.

Wow, that is saying a lot. Did you know Billy Porter (Tony award winner and Kinky Boots lead actor) was "Daddy Johann Sebastian Brubeck" the leader of the Rhythm of Life Church in Sweet Charity done by Lyric two summers ago (2012)?

Here is the link to the cast list for Sweet Charity: Sweet Charity | Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma

He also directed Altar Boyz in the fall of 2011 as well.

Here is that link as well: Altar Boyz | Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma