Cincinnati Enquirer's Review of ROCKY HORROR
The Cincinnati Enquirer did a nice write-up of Wendy’s ROCKY HORROR. You can read the text of the article by clicking “Read more”, below, or visit the Enquirer site here. The Falcon Theater website is here.
Wednesday, September 11, 2002Â Â
‘Rocky Horror’ worth getting all dressed up for
Theater review
By Joseph McDonough
Enquirer contributor
Falcon Productions is doing the Time Warp again.
This lightning quick production of Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show (in a slightly updated version from the recent New York revival) captures a lot of the fun of the campy musical about science fiction and sexual experimentation, though there are a few missteps along the way.
The convoluted plot involves innocents Brad and Janet who stumble into the libidinous castle of the “sweet transvestite” Dr. Frankenfurter. Frank and his cohorts have plans of their own and soon Brad and Janet are innocent no more.
There’s a lot of nonsense about scientists, murder and space aliens, but it muddies up the show.
This isn’t a musical where audiences care about the characters. People come to see Rocky Horror to sing along with the songs (here funkily played by musical director Jay P. Myers and six musicians) and to feel part of the performances. Falcon does well here. .
Wendy Weil is wonderfully naive as Janet while Jay Dallas Benson is funny and energetic as the nerdy Brad.
Joe Hornbaker does not have the youthful physique one would normally associate with Frank, but he doesn’t let that stop him.
Mr. Hornbaker jumps into his role with both fishnet stockings, parading around with a shaved head and in a black silky corset as he belts out the show-stopping “Rose Tint My World.”
Also suitably over-the top are Al Short as muscular Rocky and Amanda Frondorf as sexy Columbia.
Director Ted J. Weil does have a few creaks in Frankenfurter’s castle.The opening number (“Science Fiction Double Feature”) is uninspired, the music often drowns out the singers, and some supporting performances are lackluster.
The interpretation, choreography and most of the sight gags are content to merely mimic the movie rather than providing anything fresh or imaginative. .
Still, if you’re one of the many rabid devotees of the cult film, you’ll certainly enjoy yourself.
You’re welcome to dress up and call out your jokes and comments to the actors. (Though you are prohibited from throwing rice or other objects onto the set.) You can even do the Time Warp on stage with the cast after the curtain call.
The Rocky Horror Show, through Sept. 21, 2002 at Falcon Productions, Westwood Town Hall (513) 481-9042. There is a midnight performance this Saturday.