After years of deliberation, Forest Grove now has a new festive fall activity for a more mature audience. “The Rocky Horror Show” will kick off the Halloween season with its scandalous debut showing on Oct. 26 at Theatre in the Grove.
In a conservative town, publicity manager Ken Centers was worried about the feedback they would receive from such a provocative production.
“The board had been trying to do a production of “Rocky Horror” for several years and after a theatre in McMinnville was very successful with their performance, we decided to give it a try,” said Centers.
Centers said Theatre in the Grove tried to ease into “Rocky Horror” by hosting productions such as Urinetown, Carbaret and Chicago. With “Rocky Horror” being around for more than 30 years, Centers reasoned that this performance shouldn’t be a shock to the Forest Grove community.
What makes this performance intriguing to the Pacific community, besides the sex, murder and musical appeal, are the student cast members. Freshmen Evan Tait and Anders Mason, sophomore Kailea Saplan, juniors Dion MacDonald and Tiara Herr, senior Chris Mikulic and 2012 alumni Abby Boardman all achieved roles in the play after auditioning at the end of August.
These students have been attending class by day and play practice by night since mid-September. in preparation for the performance.
“The students have been a joy to work with,” said director Pruella Centers. “I have learned just as much from them as they’ve learned from me.”
Pruella has been involved in theater for more than 30 years and first performed at the Theatre in the Grove in 1975. She took acting, set construction, makeup and mask making classes at Portland Community College to further her knowledge in theater.
The Alpha Zeta fraternity is also involved with the performance by volunteering as ushers at the midnight showings.
People interested in attending are welcome to dress up and bring their “Rocky Horror” paraphernalia such as newspaper and rice, with the exemption of lighters.
During the prologue for the play, people will be able to “sell” their friends and family who have never seen “Rocky Horror.” For $5 people can be “devirginized” in front of everyone in the theatre. Proceeds will go to help pay for the production of the show.
“Get ready to laugh and have a good time,” said Centers.
Show times at 8 p.m. will be on Oct. 26-27 and Nov. 2, 3, 9 and 10. Show times at 2:30 p.m. will be Oct. 28 and the midnight showings will be Oct. 31 and Nov. 3 and 10. The midnight showings will be the “R-rated” performances.
Tickets are $14 for adults and $12 for seniors and students under 17.
Centers wanted to remind students that when they show up 10 minutes before the show and there are still seats available, the price is only $5.
For more information or to purchase tickets in advance visit theatreinthegrove.org.
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