Cornell’s “Rocky Horror” showing Halloween weekend

The Cornell College Department of Theatre and Dance invites audiences to follow two clean-cut and cautious lovers, Brad and Janet, through the playfully subversive, raunchy world of Dr. Frank N Furter and his entourage of Transylvanians.

Halloween weekend provides the perfect backdrop for the old-fashioned couple’s life-altering evening in Frank’s free-wheeling, hard-rocking, and gender-bending castle.

This homage to the classic sci-fi and horror flick became a cult classic and is known as much for the tradition of audience participation as it is for its original leading man, Tim Curry. Audiences at this production will be given a participation script and the first 100 people through the door will have the opportunity to purchase a prop bag full of throwable and laugh-out-loud items.

This one-weekend event will feature a 7:30 p.m. show on Thursday, Oct. 26, and two shows nightly, Oct. 27 and 28, at 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. A costume contest will be held at intermission of both 10:30 p.m. performances with the coveted trophy going to the audience member with the best Rocky Horror-inspired costume.

Featuring a cast of 16 campus and community members, this ensemble will be joined each night by a secret guest narrator. Audiences are invited to arrive early and enjoy the cash bar, provided by Bon Appétit.

“This production’s vulgar jokes, racy costumes, puns, and pop-culture references definitely make it for mature audiences who are ready to laugh their way through this offbeat musical spoof. Just leave the kids at home,” says Cornell College Professor of Theatre and director Janeve West.

Music direction is by Iowa City musician Lee Nguyen and choreography by Alvon Reed, Cornell’s Dance Artist in Residence. Jenny Nutting Kelchen designed the costumes, and Matt Aller is a guest scenic designer. Projections are by Kristen Geisler and lighting by Scott Olinger.

The performance will take place at Kimmel Theatre on the Cornell College campus.  Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, students, and youth, and free for Cornell faculty, staff, and students with ID.  Tickets can be reserved by calling 319.895.4293 or emailing boxoffice@cornellcollege.edu. Reservations are strongly encouraged. Parking is available in the lot behind the theater at the corner of College Boulevard and Summit Avenue.