Time Warping with Caught in the Act

Caught in the Act hosted a premiere of The Rocky Horror Show at the Lyric Theatre in the Alumni Center on Main Street in Frostburg on Thursday, November 12, 2015.  The performance was directed by Frostburg State University student Aimee Conley, with other local students and individuals participating in the show.

Caught in the Act’s production of The Rocky Horror show is FSU senior theatre major Aimee Conley’s directorial debut.  Conley has been seen performing in multiple local shows including HAIR, Into the Woods, and Spring Awakening.  She hopes the audience “enjoys the show as much as she has enjoyed putting it together with some of the greatest and most talented people she’s ever known.”

Justice Sifford, a junior mass communications major at Frostburg State, also holds a major role in the production.  Sifford is Dr. Frank-n-Furter, the doctor who the newly engaged couple, Brad and Janet, cross paths with after being stranded by a storm.  Dr. Frank-n-Furter, a promiscuous, bisexual, cross-dressing scientist from Transylvania, eagerly greets Brad and Janet and continues to explore what is possible with their bodies.  In the meantime, Dr. Frank-n-Furter’s most recent experiment, a desirable man named Rocky, comes to life.

Sifford says his favorite thing about being a part of The Rocky Horror Show is that it’s a show and a role he never thought he’d get to play; it’s also his best friend’s (Conley) directorial debut.  What’s the most difficult part of being Dr. Frank-n-Furter?  “Trying to be sexy despite my awkwardness and running in heels,” Sifford replied.

Rocky Horror made its original debut at the Royal Court’s experimental theatre in 1973, with nearly packed houses almost every night of the six-week workshop project.  However, the theatrical version struggled once leaving the small, intimate theatre of London and moving into the United States.  On September 24^th, 1975 The Rocky Horror Picture Show was released in film version.  Despite dwindling crowd numbers and low attendance, a small, dedicated group was noticed for attending repeat viewings.  From this point on, marketing for The Rocky Horror Show became geared toward its own special audience.  The idea of a midnight movie sparked marketers’ minds, and the unique fan base was able to find the film on their own by word of mouth.  Fans and crowd numbers began to sky rocket, with many individuals returning show after show, dressing up to take part in the fun and singing along with the characters.  An incredible relationship was built between supportive fans and the production, with many regulars following Rocky Horror screenings to venues in various locations.

With time, Rocky Horror earned a reputation of being a major “multimedia event – a loud and boisterous come-as-you-are party where anything could – and often did – happen,” according to www.rockyhorrorshow.net.  Growing dedication in the U.S. led to a major revival of the play, with the touring company selling out shows wherever it performed.  The Rocky Horror Show made a comeback on Broadway in 2000 with booming success.

The Rocky Horror Show is a hilarious, racy production with plenty of glitter, fishnet tights, and thrills to go around.  Other Rocky Horror performances by Caught in the Act are scheduled for Friday, November 13, 2015 at 10 p.m. and Saturday, November 14, 2015 at 8 p.m.  The Friday night show is an audience participation performance.  Tickets can be purchased online at www.caughtntheact.com.

According to its website, Caught in the Act is a “non-profit organization established to enrich the community of Western Maryland and support the aspirations of local performers.”  They vow to “create a safe learning environment for all.  One where every race, religion, creed and sexual orientation possesses equal standing and voice.”

Let’s do the Time Warp again!