By Rebecca Swain Vadnie | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted October 28, 2004

Once you cross the threshold at Theatre Downtown these nights, you cross into the risqué dream world of Dr. Frank N Furter, evil genius extraordinaire. Your heart starts to beat faster. When the doors shut behind you, uneasiness sets in and you don't quite know what will happen next.

In the theater's production of Richard O'Brien's cult musical, The Rocky Horror Show, director Seth Kubersky creates an alternate reality where something could be anything. It's a decadent blending of punk and pop culture in which society's rules don't apply anymore. Sex, drugs, aliens, games of strip Simon Says.

Feeling bold yet?

As the horror show begins, squeaky clean couple Brad Majors (Matthew Trahan) and Janet Weiss (Sarah French) happen onto the bizarre home of Dr. Frank N Furter, a Dr. Frankenstein type who is ready to unveil his ultimate creation -- Rocky Horror, a dishy hunk built from spare parts. But lust wrecks Dr. Furter's plans for a happy-ever-after ending with Rocky when Brad and Janet get caught up in the dark events that unfold at the mansion.

The glam camp of the 1975 movie version has been replaced with the hard-edged mentality of '70s London punks, a turn that finds new meaning while preserving the deliciously salacious appeal. Song orchestrations are translated into heavy angular chords and aggressive pacing, though the reworked music doesn't always mesh with O'Brien's particular phrasing. Lyrical phrasing can occasionally be jarring, and muddy sound mixing also makes it difficult to hear the singers.

After 20 years of playing Frank N Furter, John DiDonna has perfected the self-assured swagger, the winking homage to Tim Curry (who starred in the movie version), but he adds a darker edge. His Frank is more Marilyn Manson than Marilyn Monroe, only a bit naughtier and a lot cheekier. Stephen French makes for an imposing, sinister Riff Raff. And while Natalie Kuritzky's Magenta has a cool air of aloof sensuality, Katrina Johnson's Columbia is more playful. The chorus of phantoms -- Dr. Frank's hangers-on -- is the perfect complement to the tone Kubersky sets up. They are a menacing, wildly fascinating and slightly unnerving presence.

One part rock concert, one part twisted morality play, Rocky Horror isn't a show for delicate sensibilities. There are several moments of questionable taste, but the performers know it, revel in it and that is why Rocky may always be one of those "either you get it or you don't" deals.

When the show is over, you get up to leave, but your knees shake and your heartbeat still hasn't recovered yet (of course, it could be all that jumping to the left during the "Time Warp"). As you walk away, the theater looks quiet and unassuming.

But you're wise. You know what's going on inside.

Rebecca Swain Vadnie can be reached at rswain@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5677.