photo by Emily Faller
The cast of “The Rocky Horror Show” rehearses at the Cabaret at Theater Square in the Cultural District on Tuesday, March 31.

In 1975, Tim Curry starred as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the cult classic “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and, with his eccentric style and mannerisms, brought light to a popular stage production. 

Now, Frank-N-Furter is back, played by Point Park student Mason Alexander. 

Park Productions will present “The Rocky Horror Show” April 9 and 11 at the CLO Cabaret at Theater Square. 

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is a story about two recently betrothed lovers. Brad Majors and Janet Weiss, whose car breaks down in the woods, were forced to pay a visit to a nearby castle, owned by Doctor Frank-N-Furter, to make a phone call. The couple ends up in a wacky plot full of adventurous themes, deep emotions and eccentric events. Park, chairman and founder of Park Productions, has played in the show multiple times.

“I feel like the show was originally intended and written in a very different way than what it became, and I think we emulate that much more than most productions would,” Park said. 

The production of “The Rocky Horror Show” contains some differences compared to the movie version, according to Katie Jones, secretary of Park Productions. 

“We’re paying homage to the movie, but it’s not exactly the movie. There are differences in costumes and, character-wise, things are a little different,” said Jones, who is playing Janet in the production. 

“The Rocky Horror Show” will be directed and played by Park Productions, which is a nonprofit organization independent of Point Park. It originated in the summer of 2014 as a mere concept and has grown from there. 

“There was a group of us last summer… Mason, who is the founder of the company, got an idea that ‘I have been wanting to do this Cinema Company,’” said Keaton Jadwin, president and head of Design for Park Productions. He will perform as Riff Raff in the production. 

The organization has put on three productions since November 2014, including “On Broadway” and “A Little Late Night Music: An Evening on Sondheim.” Using the Website Kick Starter, they were able to raise more than $5,000 over the course of only 15 days. 

“The funds we make off the production will help our productions next year,” said Park. 

“The Rocky Horror Show” will be performed directly after “Boeing Boeing.” 

“It’s the first time that the CLO Cabaret has ever [done] shows back-to-back,” Jones said.

Student tickets are available for $12, and tickets are $20 for adults outside of the school. They can be purchased on the Park Productions Facebook page or www.parkproductions.com. 

“I think it was always a dream, since putting the company together,” said Dominic Sannelli, managing director of Park Productions, “for him [Mason] to… have the show come alive in Pittsburgh.”

photo by Emily Faller
Junior Katie Jones and senior Brandon Rogers, both musical theater majors, practice their number in Park Production’s “The Rocky Horror Show” on March 31 at Cabaret at Theater Square. The show runs until April 18 and student tickets start at $12.

photo by Emily Faller