The Rocky Horror Show arrived at the Ringwald Theatre in Ferndale last night, and there is some fun to be had, mostly by way of some terrific cast members.
Suzan M Jacokes is a terrific Frank N Furter. In fact, you could say that this entire production belongs to her. Singing, dancing, acting, prancing, or running around with a chainsaw, she is hilarious. Kevin Kaminski is also hilarious as Brad Majors, with optimum physical fun, great vocals, and minimal mugging. Casey Hibbert is a fine Narrator and taps a mean dance interlude. Nick Yocum is very good as Rocky. Richard Payton, as usual, is terrific in the role of Riff Raff. He makes it his own and its a hoot. I also very much liked Nicole Pascaretta as a very athletic Columbia, and she was the source of my biggest laugh of the night. While everyone is generally okay, there are some performances that are not up to the level of others.
Vocal Direction by Jeremy St Martin is solid, and the choreography of Molly Zaleski keeps things moving appropriately although it is stronger in the second act than the first. Jennifer Maiseloff’s scenic design is minimal but serviceable, and the same can be said of Erin Benjamin’s costume design and Dani Hamm’s lighting design.
I’m always conflicted when I go to review a Ringwald show, and I usually err on the side of not reviewing them. These are hard working folks with big hearts. But the shows always feel unpolished and unfinished — as if somewhere along the line, what starts with greater intentions eventually becomes a “okay, well, that’s good enough, lets just leave it.” And that is evident here — the set doesn’t feel quite finished, and tinsel used later in act 2 hangs around in clumps in act 1. A cool set piece of dials and electronics is tucked away in a corner where you can’t see it. Choreography isn’t polished, though generally serviceable. Action in larger sequences is unfocused — where should I be looking? — “Hot Patootie” has so much storyline going on underneath the number, but unless you know what’s supposed to be happening, much of it is unfocused and you wouldn’t really have a clue that Eddie is about to meet his end.
Rocky is also a weird show at this point in time — you either get it, or you don’t. There were plenty of perplexed looks in the audience last night, with its mix of local Ferndale theater goers, and guests of cast members scattered from a larger area. The pre-show “virgin” sequence fell flat because the Phantoms’ schtick was unpolished and people jumped over each others “moments”. (Word to the uninitiated — do NOT volunteer that you are a Rocky virgin). I’m not sure if that is because people kind of have forgotten most of what the audience participation is about, or if they never knew it to begin with. Younger audiences are sure to not recognize the routines and patter, despite director Joe Bailey’s valiant attempt to keep patter going from the back of the house.
So you have, well, a mixed bag. Some great performances which make the evening worthwhile. Some fun, but overall, a show at a theater that often takes risks, erring on the side of a tamer production of this show than this writer has seen (in probably ten different stage productions over the years). Isn’t that ironic?
See it if you want to. You’ll have fun.
The Rocky Horror Show continues at the Ringwald through October 30th. See theRingwald.com for tickets and information about times (including some late night shows).
Mostly Musical Theatre 
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