Actors perform in a local production of The Rocky Horror Show. Performances will take place at the Masonic Center in Marquette tonight at 7 p.m. and midnight, Wednesday at 7 p.m., and Thursday at 7 p.m. and midnight. (Photo courtesy of Emily Martello)

By SOPHIE SAM

Special to the Journal

MARQUETTE — If you hear the words “Marquette” and “Halloween,” one of the first things you are bound to think of is “The Rocky Horror Show.” One of the Marquette area’s most fascinating traditions, it goes back several years, beginning its journey at the Vista Theater in Negaunee, and finding new life at the Masonic Center in Marquette in recent years. It gets changed up every year, with new performers, and production teams dreaming up ways to keep the show fresh. This year is no exception, with first time Co-Director Alex Cowles, and veteran Music Director and Co-Director Lucas Wickstrom opting for a mix of conventional and unconventional choices that make the show feel familiar and new at the same time.

As with any long-standing tradition, there is always a fear that quality can vary from year to year. I would say that is true with Rocky Horror, but this year is one for the books. With a collection of veteran community members, Northern Michigan University students and a few brand-new people to the stage, this year’s take, though not without its flaws, is the breath of fresh air I believe the show needed.

I can’t talk about Rocky Horror without mentioning Bobby Glenn Brown. In his 18th production of The Rocky Horror Show, Brown displays a comfort and confidence in his performance that can only come from hundreds of hours living in the role. And even as he is getting older, he commands the stage in a tight corset as if he was still in his 20’s. In my view though, his talent shines most brightly in the softer moments of the show, with “Don’t Dream It, Be It” being a highlight of the night.

Anna Morrison as Magenta, and Josh Reinaas as Riff Raff very nearly steal the show from him though. Both powerhouse singers, their talent blows past any expectations you could have for those roles. Brilliantly cast, they have a natural chemistry together that makes each moment they share dynamite. I found myself wishing there were more opportunities for them to show their stuff. The third member of this group, Aidan Pietila playing Columbia is also wonderful to watch on stage. You can tell that he doesn’t take a moment up there for granted, and is putting it all out there, particularly in his tap solo.

There’s also Erin Culp as Janet, and Kees Gray as Brad. Playing the somewhat awkward newly engaged couple, there is a lot of good to be said about their performances. As with everyone in this production, their singing and chemistry is just fantastic. These two roles especially tend to be either really good, or quite forgettable, and they definitely fit into the former nicely.

The biggest change to the show this year, though, involved casting Lilith Kontos as the titular character. Rocky Horror is typically cast as a muscle man, but even so, Kontos brings an innocence and heart-warming value that I’ve never seen in the role before. The gender blind casting of this particular role makes for a few confusing moments in the dialogue, but overall it was a brilliant choice by Cowles and Wickstrom, with Kontos’ star quality carrying the risky move to fruition.

Rounding out the main cast are Tina Van Dyke as Eddie, and Sabrina Nelson as Dr. Scott. It’s clear that Tina has been waiting years to play Eddie, and she certainly doesn’t squander the opportunity. With great singing chops, and a very clever double use of playing in the pit and being a part of the story, Van Dyke’s mark is all over the show, and she’s a joy to watch. Nelson does great work as well, with a German accent, wheelchair, added on mustache and all. A brilliant character actor, she’s really able to lean into that in this show, and like Van Dyke, she’s also playing double duty, appearing elsewhere in the show as an Usherette.

Speaking of, anchoring the show are the Usherettes and Phantoms. Essentially the ensemble for this show, they tie the whole thing together. With the show opening Science Fiction/Double Feature, Malorie Munson sets the tone immediately that this is going to be a quality production with her dazzling vocals. The rest are no slouches either, picking up on the fact that this is truly an ensemble-carried show, both choreographically and vocally.

This might be the best-cast version of Rocky Horror that I’ve seen in Marquette, but I still feel that the show can reach a few rungs higher, and strive even more to stand on its own as a high-quality show, outside of the shadow the 20-year-old tradition casts. Going along with that, there were moments I wished were tighter, but they were few and far between. For a directorial debut, Alex Cowles gave a wonderful effort, and I can’t wait to see what comes next for them, and if they’ll continue their co-directing partnership with Lucas Wickstrom. I also need to congratulate Eliisa Gladwell and Doni-Mae Teeber on a well done job choreographing the show.

Do I recommend that you go see The Rocky Horror Show? Of course. In a very packed October, there is a lot going on, but this is not a show you’ll want to miss. On top of being a great production in its own right, you get all of the bells and whistles that come with seeing Rocky Horror. The audience callbacks, crowd participation with prop bags and a costume contest to boot. Besides, at the end of the day, seeing The Rocky Horror Show is one of our traditions here.

The Rocky Horror Show will be held at the Masonic Center in Marquette. It runs tonight, Wednesday and Thursday at 7 p.m., with midnight performances tonight and Thursday. Tickets are available online at Rocky Horror Marquette on Facebook, or in person at Forsberg’s A New Leaf and the Masonic Center. Note: there are adult themes, language, and partial nudity in the show.

EDITORS NOTE: Sophie Sam is a theatre student at Northern Michigan University, and is a theatrical director, and performer in the Marquette area.