When:
Oct. 25-28, Nov. 1-4, and Nov. 8-11
7:30 p.m. Thursdays – Saturdays
2 p.m. Sundays

Tickets: $12 adult, $11 student

Where: Columbia Entertainment Company

Hidden deep in the caves of pop culture lies a phenomenon that has lasted for almost 40 years, and its name is “The Rocky Horror Show.” For the uninitiated, “Rocky Horror” is the spawn of science fiction and horror B-movies, musicals and of course, transvestites from the planet Transsexual Transylvania.

This abnormal phenomenon is visiting in the form of a Columbia Entertainment Company show opening later this month directed by Adam McCall.

Rocky Horror’s plot revolves around a newly engaged couple, Brad and Janet, who stumble upon the transsexual Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s castle, and the strange and supernatural night they spend there. For Jay Oetman, who plays Dr. Frank-N-Furter, he sees “Rocky Horror” as a fresh take on a Halloween tradition.

“(‘Rocky Horror’) is your crazed scientists cliché with a huge twist that makes it anything but cliché,” Oetman says. “I’ve been wondering how to describe it for a while. Like, how the writer made this all come together.”

According to Oetman, newcomers should be prepared for a great show.

“It’s going to be awesome and amazing on all different levels,” he says. “The show is entertaining and infectious with music that gets people going, but it also questions things like obsessions and cultural norms. ‘Rocky Horror’ toys with all these things like incest and drug use. The list goes on and on.”

Chances are if you’ve heard of “The Rocky Horror Show,” it’s because you’ve seen the 1973 movie adaptation of the play featuring Tim Curry as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in full drag and Susan Sarandon as Janet. For some cast members, the movie was their introduction into “Rocky Horror” as well.

“I saw (‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’) about a year ago and fell in love with it instantly,” says Darren Pope, who plays Brad. “‘Rocky Horror’ is something that just fits. It works even though it’s something no one really understands. This is the first time I’ve done theater since college, which was 10 years ago. To be able to see everyone in the cast doing so great has been an experience.”

The cast has been rehearsing and practicing for the show since the end of August, according to Pope. Oetman says the last few weeks have been both tough and rewarding.

“I came from the show right after playing in ‘Annie,'” he says. “I went straight into it. It’s been a huge push, but it’s been so worth it. I played Rooster in Annie, who is one of the villains, which is also played by Tim Curry in the first movie. I guess this has been my Tim Curry semester.”

For Oetman, the play’s outlandish style and ability to break social norms is needed, especially in hard times.

“‘Rocky Horror’ was written in an era where people pushed the envelope,” Oetman says. “I think in times of recession people tend to become more conservative, and ‘Rocky Horror’ is anything but conservative. It’s something that I think we all need right now.”