‘A live performance of “The Rocky Horror Show” will take the stage at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. It is Skyline Creek Productions’ 13th year putting the show together. 

“Rocky Horror,” which debuted in London in 1973, follows engaged couple Brad and Janet. After their car breaks down, they take shelter in a castle where they meet Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a mad scientist creating the ideal man for himself. 

Following is an adventure  that includes popular songs such as “Time Warp” and “Sweet Transvestite.”  

The musical runs a little under two hours, but length may vary depending on crowd participation.

“It is the most fun and positive and uplifting environment,” said Bella Morris, who plays Janet.

The cast has bonded during rehearsals, sometimes attending haunted houses and restaurants afterward. 

“Getting together and putting on this awesome, awesome show that has been such a staple inside in Illinois — it’s seriously the most fun ever,” Morris said.

Prop bags will be sold at the door so the audience can engage with the performance.

“The show is really heavy in audience participation,” Morris said. “There’s a part where my character, she gets out a newspaper and puts it over her head ‘cause it’s raining and then you have a newspaper in your bag and you would grab it and also put it on like you’re in the show as well.”

This year’s cast is a mix of old and new faces. 

“I’ve typically been behind the scenes, but this season felt like the right time to return to the stage,” Vincent Segretario, owner of Skyline Creek Productions, said. 

Segretario is playing Dr. Frank-N-Furter this year. 

“Back in college, I performed with Midnight Madness, the official Chicago shadowcast, as Frank-N-Furter,” he said. “However, getting the chance to portray him live on stage has always been a dream of mine — definitely a bucket-list moment.” 

Segretario said he was not nervous about playing the character. 

“In fact, I’m shivering with antici… well, you know the rest,” he said.

He is no stranger to performing. Segretario grew up in musical theater and studied it in college; however, his current focus is on music. 

“These days, I spend about three to four months each year touring as a musician or sound engineer, and sometimes both simultaneously,” Segretario said. 

The characters have a place in the hearts of the cast and Dr. Frank-N-Furter has a life of his own, Segretario said. 

“I’ve been thinking about how I’d interpret this character for nearly 15 years, and over time, that vision has evolved into something that feels both true to the role and reflective of my own creative journey,” he said. “I think there’s a little bit of Frank in all of us — if I’m being perfectly Frank.”

This is Morris’ third year playing Janet, and she plans to modify her portrayal slightly while staying true to the character.  

“I definitely try to look for different aspects of the character that maybe I forgot a previous year or something,” she said. 

Morris said it can be a challenge when making decisions to change a character. 

“With a character like Janet, there is pretty strict guidelines and that you have to stay in between so it can be fun playing the same character,” she said. “It can also be a challenge for sure.”

Outside of performing, Morris bartends and substitute teaches. 

“It’s a great way to make money on the side,” she said. “Because also, you don’t have to be on a tight schedule.”

The tickets are already more than halfway sold out. 

“I just think it’s so funny seeing, like, all the people shouting out from the crowd,” said Owen Smith, an SIU music education major. He plans to attend the show with six friends and dress up. “I think it’s fun to see people’s crazy outfits.” 

This is Smith’s third year seeing “Rocky Horror in Marion,” and he said he’s excited to hear his favorite song, “Time Warp.” 

The musical pit is excited for the performance as well. 

“This is my first one behind a drum set specifically,” said Lucas Barger, a graduate assistant in SIU’s School of Music t and drummer for “Rocky Horror.” Barger recently moved to the area after graduating from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington. 

“I don’t have a lot of those connections I had over the past few years,” Barger said. “I’m excited to meet some professional musicians in the area.” 

Morris said she loves both rehearsals and performing. “I do love that but also you know getting that feeling from the audience when you come on stage and they’re clapping for you there’s nothing like it.”

Digital Editor Peyton Cook can be reached at pcook@dailyegyptian.com, or on Instagram at @cookmeavisual

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