Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show
October 24 - November 1, 2025
Vashon Center for the Arts
2:00 and 7:30pm

Rocky Horror Like You’ve Never Seen It Before

Fifty years after Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show premiered in London, Vashon Repertory Theatre is producing a 2025 fresh take on the musical. Director Brooke Osment has made a study of the show and has a vision for how she’ll deliver its message of interpersonal power dynamics, musically and with great fanfare.

Osment is clear about her goal: “I want people to have a fantastic time, and I also want them to think really hard about everything they consume media wise. I want to challenge while still having fun.”

To achieve that goal, this production will delve into the emotional depths of each character and their interactions with each other. “It’s an honest conversation about how the piece and its audience interaction have evolved over the 50 years of Rocky Horror,” says Osment. Her direction will focus on getting the humanity out of the play’s characters. Rather than treating them as two-dimensional caricatures, this production will reveal the motivations behind characters’ choices. “It just makes the story so much more interesting and engaging,” Osment declares. She wants the audience to see themselves on the stage.

In addition to creating a magical set, VRTs production will put the band onstage with the performers. The audience will be invited to dance on the proscenium and, according to cult tradition, to yell at the stage. In fact, there will be coaching before each performance on how to interact with the actors and participate in the show.

The cast is filled with high quality talent including music direction by Islander Jon Whalen and set design by Tacoma’s Erik Furuheim to name a few. Matt Fontaine as Dr. Frank’n’Furter brings a powerful singing voice and formidable characterization to his role. The production plays with each of the roles moving them beyond the traditional and using gender twists to reframe the relationships among them.

Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show will have seven performances at Vashon Center for the Arts from October 24th to November 1 with a Halloween night special at 10pm. Tickets are on sale now at https://purchase.vashoncenterforthearts.org/events/the-rocky-horror-show

Come do The Time Warp Again!