The “Time Warp” will be on overdrive this month, as the iconic “Rocky Horror Picture Show” makes its triumphant return to the Centralia Cultural Society stage.
Directed by Doug Dunahee, the extravagant musical runs the first three weekends of October (Fridays and Saturdays only) with midnight performances on Oct. 12 and 19.
Dunahee, who performed in previous iterations of “Rocky” under director Rob Jackson, said he was excited to take his first stab at the legendary material.
“This is my first time directing it. We have done “Rocky” [at the CCS] three times before, and I performed as a phantom all three times,” Dunahee recalled. “I learned a lot doing it, and really fell in love with the show.”
Speaking on his ensemble cast, Dunahee said that despite a few “Rocky” veterans, many are new to the production.
“Auditions were in early July. We’ve had three rehearsals a week since then,” he said. “There are a few cast members that have been in one of the previous productions, or all three. For the most part, we have a brand-new group for this show. I’m hoping they’ll have a similar experience as I did when I performed [in the musical].”
The director said he knew he wanted to direct the musical as far back as last year, before agreeing to direct the highly successful “Addams Family Musical”.
Dunahee added that “Rocky” had long been a crowd-pleaser for the Cultural Society and was an appropriate fit for the current direction of the CCS.
“This is a show that pulls in people from everywhere; not just out of town, but out of state,” said Dunahee. “No matter where you do this show, you pull in different people. There’s a lot of different ways to put this show on, too. We’re putting on the full Broadway performance.”
Tickets for the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” may be purchased at the CCS or online at www.centraliaculturalsociety.org.
Cherokee Ray makes his introduction as Riff Raff.
Janet and Brad, portrayed by Amanda Taylor and Seth Henderson, are lost after a flat tire on a rainy night.
