Dickinson Community Players is set to put on “The Rocky Horror Show” this weekend in the Chenango Champlain Collegiate Center (C4) Multipurpose Room.
This cult classic tells the story of a newly engaged couple, Brad and Janet, who get a flat tire during a storm. In an attempt to find help, they stumble upon the home of cross-dressing evil scientist, Dr. Frank-N-Furter. During their journey, the two meets a slew of interesting characters and connect with their sexuality on a new level. Through song, dance and sex, this play gives the word “unexpected” a new meaning.
“The Rocky Horror Show” screenplay was written by Richard O’Brien in 1973, before being adapted into the cult classic 1975 film “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” This wacky story breaks down traditional gender roles and brings sexuality to center stage.
Jacqueline Pontillo, a freshman double-majoring in economics and theatre, played Janet.
“The whole point is that Janet and Brad are supposed to be like a stereotypical, ’50s couple,” Pontillo said. “Super-innocent and then they come in and they get super corrupted by these aliens and sex and rock ‘n’ roll.”
Marisa Freeman, the show’s director and a junior majoring in anthropology, thinks that the show’s edgy themes send a strong societal message.
“I think [the play is] a statement on being yourself, but not to the point where you follow your own self-interest to hurt other people,” Freeman said.
Matthew Long, a junior majoring in political science, played the over-the-top, overtly sexual and confident Dr. Frank-N-Furter.
“I like to think of myself as someone who lives for campy things,” Long said. “Those really kind of gaudy, over-the-top type of things, like drag queens, beautiful noise like that and this show is perfect — quintessential for that it’s the most absurd, sci-fi, campy musical-comedy that you could ever come see.”
Featuring everything from dildos to brains in a bag, there is never a dull moment in this story. Additionally, the show invites audience interaction, with call-outs throughout the performance. But even while the play is fun and upbeat, attendees can expect a somber ending.
“I think the ending being more serious is a different take than a lot of companies take it,” Freeman said. “Because it’s such a campy over-the-top show, you can push the end that way too, but I wanted to bring it back to a more grounded, sane place after the insanity that the first 98 percent of the show is.”
Mary Golden, the show’s musical director and a sophomore majoring in English, said that she has thoroughly enjoyed her role in the play and is excited to see how far it’s come.
“It’s shaky, because we haven’t done a musical in a long time,” she said. “I was a little worried at first, but it turned out to be so amazing and I’m so proud of this cast and everything they’ve done,”
“The Rocky Horror Show” will be performing in the C4 Multipurpose Room on Friday, April 29 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, April 30 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.