Cult Classic The Rocky Horror Show Thrills at MTC
By Kiersten Bjork (March 18, 2023)
The Rocky Horror Show by Richard O’Brien at Music Theatre of Connecticut, directed by Kevin Connors, is a thrilling take on the cult classic. When newly engaged couple Brad and Janet find themselves stranded in a storm, they pay a visit to the castle not far from where their car broke down. That castle happens to be home to Dr. Frank ‘N’ Furter and a slate of wacky and wild denizens that turn Brad and Janet’s simple lives upside down. With classic songs like “The Time Warp” and “Hot Patootie,” The Rocky Horror Show is a fun musical with humor, horror, sexual fantasies, and everything else in between. It plays incredibly well in MTC’s intimate space, and with such close proximity between actors and audience, you never know what will happen!
Justin Johnston stars as Dr. Frank ‘N’ Furter at MTC and is absolutely sensational. From high kicks to red lips, Johnston sells the role with a killer voice and a wickedly delightful interpretation of Frank ‘N’ Furter’s antics. Johnston commands the stage, intertwining the sensuality and unhinged nature of the character into the vibrant doctor audiences know and love.
Michael Luongo and Skye Gillespie are both very well cast as Brad and Janet. They each do an excellent job bringing their characters from innocent naivety to the exposed and shaken place they find themselves in towards the close of the story. Luongo and Gillespie showcase strong vocals throughout and play off of each other very well.
The Rocky Horror Show by Richard O’Brien at Music Theatre of Connecticut, directed by Kevin Connors, is a thrilling take on the cult classic. When newly engaged couple Brad and Janet find themselves stranded in a storm, they pay a visit to the castle not far from where their car broke down. That castle happens to be home to Dr. Frank ‘N’ Furter and a slate of wacky and wild denizens that turn Brad and Janet’s simple lives upside down. With classic songs like “The Time Warp” and “Hot Patootie,” The Rocky Horror Show is a fun musical with humor, horror, sexual fantasies, and everything else in between. It plays incredibly well in MTC’s intimate space, and with such close proximity between actors and audience, you never know what will happen!
Justin Johnston stars as Dr. Frank ‘N’ Furter at MTC and is absolutely sensational. From high kicks to red lips, Johnston sells the role with a killer voice and a wickedly delightful interpretation of Frank ‘N’ Furter’s antics. Johnston commands the stage, intertwining the sensuality and unhinged nature of the character into the vibrant doctor audiences know and love.
Michael Luongo and Skye Gillespie are both very well cast as Brad and Janet. They each do an excellent job bringing their characters from innocent naivety to the exposed and shaken place they find themselves in towards the close of the story. Luongo and Gillespie showcase strong vocals throughout and play off of each other very well.
Skye Gillespie and Michael Luongo in MTC’s The Rocky Horror Show (Joe Landry)
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Justin Johnston as Dr. Frank ‘N’ Furter in MTC’s The Rocky Horror Show (Joe Landry)
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Jeff Raab Time Warps as Riff Raff, embodying the strange butler with strong physical choices. Riff Raff’s signature hair and hunched figure are accentuated by Raab’s deliberate gestures and haunting expressions. His rendition of “Time Warp” was electrifying!
Fellow servants at the castle, Magenta and Columbia, are played by Leigh Martha Klinger and Hillary Ekwall, respectively. Klinger skillfully balances Magenta’s intensity and total abandon, creating a rich and dynamic character that was fascinating to witness. Ekwall’s giddy joy and wild outbursts bring the audience on a thrilling ride from start to finish, with an entertaining tap routine thrown in for good measure. I particularly enjoyed Ekwall’s choices with Columbia’s “I loved you” monologue to Frank ‘N’ Furter, with its rollercoaster of rampant emotions devolving into a spray-induced high at Frank ‘N’ Furter’s behest.
Domenic Servidio is a jaw-dropping Rocky. Frank ‘N’ Furter’s creation is intended to be a muscular man, and Servidio flexes how well he fits that description through much of the performance. With the Charles Atlas seal of approval, Servidio sings and moves well, all but stealing the show with his tiger-print speedo and sparkling gold sneakers.
Eddie and Dr. Scott are both portrayed by John Treacy Egan. Egan shows off impressive vocals during Eddie’s number, “Hot Patootie,” as well as great comedic chops as Dr. Scott. The company is rounded out by MTC co-founder and Managing Director Jim Schilling as the Narrator, and Brianna Bauch and Stephen Petrovich as Phantoms. The entire company brings incredible energy to their roles, and it is clear that they have a great deal of fun doing so, which is just what The Rocky Horror Show needs.
Fellow servants at the castle, Magenta and Columbia, are played by Leigh Martha Klinger and Hillary Ekwall, respectively. Klinger skillfully balances Magenta’s intensity and total abandon, creating a rich and dynamic character that was fascinating to witness. Ekwall’s giddy joy and wild outbursts bring the audience on a thrilling ride from start to finish, with an entertaining tap routine thrown in for good measure. I particularly enjoyed Ekwall’s choices with Columbia’s “I loved you” monologue to Frank ‘N’ Furter, with its rollercoaster of rampant emotions devolving into a spray-induced high at Frank ‘N’ Furter’s behest.
Domenic Servidio is a jaw-dropping Rocky. Frank ‘N’ Furter’s creation is intended to be a muscular man, and Servidio flexes how well he fits that description through much of the performance. With the Charles Atlas seal of approval, Servidio sings and moves well, all but stealing the show with his tiger-print speedo and sparkling gold sneakers.
Eddie and Dr. Scott are both portrayed by John Treacy Egan. Egan shows off impressive vocals during Eddie’s number, “Hot Patootie,” as well as great comedic chops as Dr. Scott. The company is rounded out by MTC co-founder and Managing Director Jim Schilling as the Narrator, and Brianna Bauch and Stephen Petrovich as Phantoms. The entire company brings incredible energy to their roles, and it is clear that they have a great deal of fun doing so, which is just what The Rocky Horror Show needs.
Jeff Raab and Leigh Martha Klinger in MTC’s The Rocky Horror Show (Joe Landry)
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John Treacy Egan and Jim Schilling in MTC’s The Rocky Horror Show (Joe Landry)
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Scenic and props designer Sean Sanford has created a simple set for the production that features double doors upstage center and rotating panels that reverse to indicate when the characters are in the castle or outside. I liked the choice of the rotating pieces, but there did seem to be some issues with the rotation of the double doors, as they appeared to have gotten stuck on multiple occasions. Lighting designer RJ Romeo creates one of my favorite effects of the whole production – flickering lights that illuminate the upstage curtain in a dazzling thunderstorm effect. The lighting design overall is well done, with moments of strong color and spotlights that enhance the production. Costumes by designer Diane Vanderkroef are all fabulous, from Columbia’s colorful sequins to Frank ‘N’ Furter’s black laced corset, with my particular favorite touch being the heart-shaped, studded garter that Frank ‘N’ Furter wears.
There isn’t a sound designer billed for The Rocky Horror Show, but it seems that the production would have benefited from more prominent involvement in this area. There were moments of feedback and quite a few instances of mics crackling and cutting out, which was rather unfortunate as it did detract from the impressive talent. I do think that the bulk of the overall sound balance was well executed, as the live band was always at a good level in relation to the volume of the performers. The band, led by Music Director Tony Bellomy, was rocking from start to finish. All of the musicians were stellar, and I really enjoyed their placement upstage, as if they were mixed in with the set and a part of the atmosphere of Frank ‘N’ Furter’s lair.
Despite some technical issues, the talented cast of The Rocky Horror Show at MTC brings their all to the production, which makes this show one that you won’t want to miss. Catch The Rocky Horror Show before it closes on April 8!
The Rocky Horror Show will run from March 17–April 8 at Music Theatre of Connecticut. Performances are Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 2pm & 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm. Ticket prices range from $40-$65 plus fees and can be purchased online at www.musictheatreofct.com/rocky-horror or over the phone (203-454-3883). MTC MainStage is located at 509 Westport Ave. in Norwalk, CT.
Kiersten Bjork is a theatremaker and reviewer from Branford, CT, currently in the mentorship program with the Connecticut Critics Circle.
There isn’t a sound designer billed for The Rocky Horror Show, but it seems that the production would have benefited from more prominent involvement in this area. There were moments of feedback and quite a few instances of mics crackling and cutting out, which was rather unfortunate as it did detract from the impressive talent. I do think that the bulk of the overall sound balance was well executed, as the live band was always at a good level in relation to the volume of the performers. The band, led by Music Director Tony Bellomy, was rocking from start to finish. All of the musicians were stellar, and I really enjoyed their placement upstage, as if they were mixed in with the set and a part of the atmosphere of Frank ‘N’ Furter’s lair.
Despite some technical issues, the talented cast of The Rocky Horror Show at MTC brings their all to the production, which makes this show one that you won’t want to miss. Catch The Rocky Horror Show before it closes on April 8!
The Rocky Horror Show will run from March 17–April 8 at Music Theatre of Connecticut. Performances are Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 2pm & 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm. Ticket prices range from $40-$65 plus fees and can be purchased online at www.musictheatreofct.com/rocky-horror or over the phone (203-454-3883). MTC MainStage is located at 509 Westport Ave. in Norwalk, CT.
Kiersten Bjork is a theatremaker and reviewer from Branford, CT, currently in the mentorship program with the Connecticut Critics Circle.