On its face, Marathon Community Theatre’s production of Richard O’Brien’s “The Rocky Horror Show,” opening Thursday, Oct. 5, may look the same as last year’s production. It has a nearly identical cast, save for a few welcome additions, the same general set, and the same songs that have earned the musical its cult following.
But look closely, or ask the cast themselves, and the difference is night and day.
Though closing night last year was in November, returning director Jimmy Zimmerman said the cast have kept “Rocky” alive year-round, taking opportunities over the last 11 months to attend karaoke nights together, rewatch recordings of their 2022 performances, or slip in a rendition of the Time Warp at community functions.
But the start of rehearsals for this year’s production made one thing clear from the outset: The goal wasn’t to match the standard set by last year’s string of sellout show nights – it was to exceed it.
“I don’t know what percentage you could say it’s bumped up, but it’s bumped up,” said Zimmerman. “At least three times we’ve watched our press night from last year, and press night was a dog last year. They’d all sit there and say, ‘Oh, we can do this better. We can do that better.’”
Beyond their own personal notes from Monday morning quarterbacking while watching 2022’s “game film,” this year’s show had the added expertise of Jaimie Roberts, a 30-year Disney performer who moved from her role as last year’s unofficial consultant to become Rocky’s choreographer in 2023.
“Everybody stepped up their game, because they had to to keep up with Jaimie,” said Zimmerman. “She cracked the whip on them, and they sucked it up.”
“It’s a lot harder for us, and it was a big, steep curve for us to get up,” said John Schaefer, who returns as Brad, one half of the hapless couple who end up trapped in the castle of pansexual cross-dressing mad scientist Frank-N-Furter (JJ Mills, of “Drag Queen Bingo” fame in Marathon). “But it’s more professional. We came in with a year under our belt, so we came in running.”
Asked if Roberts truly “cracked the whip” on the cast, as Zimmerman said, to get the most from their talents, Schaefer’s three-word response with an involuntary laugh said it all.
“Oh god, yes.”
Eddie (Jesus Ruiz, standing) and Columbia (Michelle Dobler) perform ‘Hot Patootie.’ 
Riff Raff (Steve Emmerling, right) and the rest of Frank’s servants tend to a frightened Brad and Janet. 
Riff Raff (Steve Emmerling, top) welcomes Brad and Janet to the ‘Frankenstein Place.’ 
Brad (John Schaefer, right) and Janet (Jeanie Schwenke) have no idea what they’re in for when their car breaks down in a rainstorm. 
Dion Watson reprises her role as a hysterical deadpan Narrator. 
John Schaefer and Jeanie Schwenke reprise their roles as Brad and Janet. 
John Schaefer and Jeanie Schwenke reprise their roles as Brad and Janet. 
Stephanie Zajac, left, and Alene Nelson open the show as two of three rotating Usherettes. 
Stephanie Zajac opens the show as one of three rotating Usherettes. 
Stephanie Zajac opens the show as one of three rotating Usherettes. 
Michelle Dobler, center, returns as Columbia with Phantom Sharon Young, right. 
‘Drag Queen Bingo’ star JJ Mills reprises his starring role as Frank-N-Furter. 
‘Drag Queen Bingo’ star JJ Mills reprises his starring role as Frank-N-Furter. 
‘Drag Queen Bingo’ star JJ Mills reprises his starring role as Frank-N-Furter. 
The Narrator (Dion Watson, center) takes a ‘hands on’ approach in examining Rocky (Lee Lawson, left). 
For the uninitiated, don’t expect a typical theater experience when the lights go down. Rocky is an interactive show, with pre-made audience participation bags and scripts ready to go in the MCT lobby. The cast feeds off energy from the crowd even more than usual, with opportunities for appropriately-timed expletives, catcalls and projectiles, particularly during speeches from the hilarious deadpan Narrator (Dion Watson). Just do the cast a favor, Zimmerman said, and be mindful of the actors on stage as you aim your confetti or inflated … well, they’ll let you find out.
Catch “The Rocky Horror Show” on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. from Oct. 5 through 21, with a 3 p.m. matinee on Sunday, Oct. 15. Tickets are $33 plus tax and are available at marathontheater.org or by calling 305-743-0994. The show contains mature themes, is intended for 18+ audiences and features limited use of flashing lights.
Meet the Cast
Frank-N-Furter – JJ Mills
Brad – John Schaefer
Janet – Jeanie Schwenke
Riff Raff – Steve Emmerling
Columbia – Michelle Dobler
Magenta – Abbi Colella
Rocky – Lee Lawson
Eddie/Dr. Scott – Jesus Ruiz
Phantoms – Karen Shotwell, Chiino Rios, Sharon Young, Catherine McCole
Usherettes – Stephanie Zajac, Kara Pascucci, Alene Nelson
The Narrator – Dion Watson
