This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
For a few days this weekend, Salt Lake City is a two-"Rocky" town.
Pioneer Theatre Company has invited Utah boy and Broadway sensation Will Swenson, of the Hale theater family, to play mad scientist Dr. Frank N. Furter in its second annual concert staging of the cult musical, which plays through Saturday. "Will Swenson certainly brings his own take on Frank, which is tons of fun and keeps the returning cast members on their toes," says director Karen Azenberg.
But for purists — cult fans of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," the 1975 movie — the show goes on at the Tower Theatre, where the Out of the Shadows Theater Group's Latter Day Transvestites will perform a shadowcast.
This year's version will include shoutouts to mark the movie's 40th anniversary and the troupe's 20th-anniversary performance, says Jen Ogle, a 22-year "Rocky" veteran who acts and directs the Out of the Shadows troupe.
"I like to be surprised, so I didn't ask details," says MC Susan Steffee, a fixture at the Tower, who is returning for her 28th year.
"It wouldn't be 'Rocky' season without Susan," Ogle says.
Ogle says the troupe rehearses together every weekend, while cast members also commit to watching the movie on their own each week. "We absolutely love what we do," she says in an email interview. "We are all volunteers, and we do it to make people happy and give them a one-of-a-kind experience. Each show that we do has a different feel according to the crowd, and our improv changes, so you don't get the exact same thing every time."
"Rocky," a tribute and sendup to B horror movies, tells of innocent young couple Brad and Janet, who become lost in the woods and meet Frank N. Furter and his Tranyslvanian minions. The story was a 1973 British musical before it morphed into the cult classic 1975 film.
For Salt Lake's "Rocky Horror" virgins, be forewarned: Midnight shows and Halloween weekend shows are likely to sell out. Expect long ticket lines. Costumes, of course, are encouraged.
For longtime fans of the Salt Lake City phenomenon, filmmaker Mario DeAngelis is creating "Living with 'Rocky,' " which premiered at last month's Salt Lake Comic Con. The documentary should be available online soon.
facebook.com/ellen.weist —
Time warping for 'Rocky's' 40th anniversary
Halloween shadowcasting screening/performances of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" by the Out of the Shadows Theater Group's Latter Day Transvestites remain wildly popular. This year's interactive screenings, as always a fundraiser for the Salt Lake Film Society, will mark the movie's 40th anniversary.
When • Friday, Saturday and Oct. 30-31 at 7:30 and 11:30 p.m.
Where • Tower Theatre, 876 E. 900 South, Salt Lake City
Tickets • $10, available by searching "Rocky Horror Picture Show 2015" at saltlakefilmsociety
Also • Tranny prop bags are $3, with special premium bags available; no outside props allowed; pre-show 30 minutes before screenings.
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Head on over to the Frankenstein Place
Pioneer Theatre Company presents its second annual concert staging of "The Rocky Horror Show," featuring script-in-hand performances, augmented with costumes, choreography, bare-bones sets and an onstage band.
When • Thursday and Friday, Oct. 22-23, 8 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 24, 5 and 10 p.m.
Where • Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre, 300 S. 1400 East, Salt Lake City
Tickets • $25-$40 ($5 more day-of-show) at 801-581-6961 or pioneertheatre.org