‘Rocky Horror Show’ auditions

VICTORY TOWNSHIP – West Shore Community College, in co-production with the Manistee Civic Players, will hold auditions for the cult-classic musical, Richard O’Brien’s “The Rocky Horror Show” on Mon., August 26, at WSCC’s Center Stage Theatre and Tues., August 27, at the historic Ramsdell Theatre. Both auditions are at 7 p.m.

               “‘The Rocky Horror Show’ is a farcically funny, crazily campy love letter to the science fiction ‘B’ horror movies of the 1950’s,” says Dr. Rick Plummer, director of the production. “Those wishing to audition will not need to prepare an audition, but simply sing from the score and read from the script.”

               “The Rocky Horror Show” tells the story of squeaky clean sweethearts Brad Majors and Janet Weiss who, on a dark and stormy night, stumble upon the castle of the stiletto-wearing, cross-dressing scientist, Dr. Frank-n-Furtur. The musical is R-rated and is for mature audiences only.

            “Primarily, we are looking for rock singers who act,” says vocal director Scott Emelander. “These characters are larger than life, with voices to match.”

Roles being cast include the narrator (male or female, non-singing) is the guide who navigates the audience through the show in a dry, British-humor-inspired manner.  Dr. Frank ‘n’ Furter (male baritone/tenor, 20’s or 30’s) is a manic, transvestite from the planet Transsexual in the galaxy of Transylvania.

Brad Majors (male, tenor, 20’s) is the youthful, handsome and wholesome young man and Janet Weiss (female, mezzo with belt, 20’s) is the youthful, pretty and wholesome young woman, who later must portray coy and shy as well as sexy and outlandish.

Riff Raff (male, strong rock tenor, 20’s-45) is the eccentric butler of Dr. Frank ‘n’ Furter and Magenta (female, husky rock mezzo/alto, 20’s-40) is a very strange servant of Dr. Frank ‘n’ Furter.  Rocky Horror (male, rock baritone/tenor, 20’s) is the result of one of the Frank’s experiments.  Columbia (female, mezzo/high tenor, 20’s-30’s) who is cute and bubbly with a rough, rocker side, is one of Dr. Frank ‘n’ Furter’s groupies and Eddie (male, rock tenor) is a freeze-dried delivery guy, who rocks, despite his lack of a few essential organs.

Finally, Dr. Everett Scott (male or female belt mezzo, 20’s-early 40’s) is the older, rival scientist in a wheelchair.  Six to eight phantom, eccentric chorus roles will also be cast.

“Those wishing to audition should show up with an open mind, comfortable clothes in which to dance, and ready to have a blast,” says choreographer Lindsay Roberts.

“The Rocky Horror Show” is a rock musical that enjoys a wide generational appeal.  “Baby boomers through Gen X, Gen Y to Millennials love the cult classic 1975 film, and now they have an opportunity to experience it live, onstage,” says Plummer.  “It’s outrageous, it’s bizarre, it’s hilarious and it’s coming to West Michigan,” he adds.              Ted Malt, the production’s musical director says that it is, “campy to the hilt and is a sci-fi horror musical farce like no other anyone could ever imagine or encounter.”

The musical will play at the historic Ramsdell Theatre on October 11, 12, 13 and 18, 19, 20.

Tickets are available by contacting the WSCC box office at 231-843-5507, MyNorth Tickets at 1-800-836-0717, or by visiting www.manisteecivicplayers.org.

The Ramsdell Theater box office will open for this show on October 9.