It’s the third time around for familiar faces in the cast of Richard O’Brien’s “The Rocky Horror Show” at Marathon Community Theatre.
But with a few major substitutions, hidden Easter eggs and amped-up antics – even in the background – the production team says the cult classic show is anything but a repeat.
That’s not to say the vibes and familiarity didn’t snap right back for a cast composed of roughly three-quarters returning members, who brought the show to life in 2022 and 2023.
“We did a read-through, and the next night a run-through, and we were singing, dancing and having so much fun,” said Karen Shotwell, who adds to the on-stage hijinks as one of four “phantoms.”
“But we’re just trying to make sure we’re all spot-on and a little more technical with it,” said Sharon Young, another “phantom” who took the mantle of dance captain for the 2025 show. And as the whole team pointed out, in a show with a faithful following bordering on religion, there’s little room for error in the “Rocky” script.
“That’s the scary part: If you screw up a line, these people will know it,” said Shotwell.
For the uninitiated, the classic musical tells the story of hapless couple Brad Majors and Janet Weiss (John Schaefer and Jeanie Schwenke). Stranded with a flat tire, they’re forced to take refuge in a castle run by transvestite mad scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Anthony Kehn) and servants Riff Raff (Dakota Mertyris), Columbia (Michelle Dobler) and Magenta (Abbi Colella). Their arrival, Frank says, is quite timely, as he’s hosting an “affair” to celebrate his lab’s newest creation: a muscled-up man named Rocky.
Some of the show’s biggest changes come from the top of the cast list, with Kehn taking the torch as Frank from her daytime co-worker, JJ Mills.
“It was definitely intimidating, especially being a character that shows up in the fourth song and then doesn’t shut up for the rest of the show,” said Kehn. “I had so many Franks in my head – JJ, Tim Curry, and one from when my college used to do the show. So it was pretty easy to then figure out: What did I like from each one, and who do I think Frank is?”
Playing Frank’s not-so-faithful right-hand man is recent Marathon High School graduate Dakota Mertyris – mastering the gaunt face, creepy lean and wandering hands of O’Brien’s own performance from the 1975 film. It’s a showing Mertyris’ castmates say adds to the musical with “off-the-charts” vocals.
“I had never really heard of this show beforehand, but I dove into the West End recording of the show, and some of the movie,” Mertyris said. “I loved that (Riff Raff) was fluid and high-pitched, so I really tried to embody that.”
“Rocky Horror” comes to life under the leadership of director Jimmy Zimmerman, assistant director Deb Shirley and producer Joanne Zimmerman, with vocal and choreography consulting by Jaimie Roberts.
“The harmonies are there, and they worked their butts off to get there,” said Zimmerman of his cast.
“This is the most cohesive version of this show,” said Roberts. “The casting this year has brought everybody to a comfort level where they can bring out the best in themselves.”
“The Rocky Horror Show” runs on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. from Sept. 25 through Oct. 11, with 3 p.m. matinees on Sept. 28 and Oct. 5. Tickets are $38, available at marathontheater.org or by calling 305-743-0994. The show is 18+ due to thematic material, and prop bags for audience participation are available for purchase at the theater.
