A Florida actor is about to step into one of theater’s most flamboyant roles for his Pennsylvania stage debut, playing Dr. Frank-N-Furter in four Halloween weekend performances of Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show at the Greensburg Garden and Civic Center.
Westmoreland Performing Arts is presenting the production for four shows, with 8 p.m. and midnight performances scheduled for both Oct. 30 and 31, according to Westmoreland Cultural Trust. The shows take place at 951 Old Salem Road in Greensburg, with tickets priced at $25 for adults, $22 for seniors 55 and older, and $15 for students. WPA Artistic Director Tony Marino is directing, with Penn Trafford’s Eric Barchiesi serving as musical director, OnStage Pittsburgh reports.
A Long Road From Brazil to the Greensburg Stage
Querino was born in Brazil and moved to Florida at age 10, per the same OnStage Pittsburgh account.
His recent theater credits include Seymour in Bay Street Players’ Little Shop of Horrors and Billy in Bright Star.
Filling Shoes Once Worn by Tim Curry
The role Querino is stepping into was made famous by Tim Curry, who played Dr. Frank-N-Furter in both the stage and screen versions of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, according to NPR. Curry died this past summer at age 80. The 1975 film adaptation became a global cult phenomenon known for rowdy and raunchy audience participation, NPR reports. The musical premiered in London in 1973.
That tradition of audience involvement remains central to the Rocky Horror experience decades later. Shows traditionally include audience participation on certain lines, and the culture around screenings still leans into costumes, call-backs and props.
Plenty More Rocky Horror Around Pittsburgh This Weekend
Greensburg isn’t the only option for Halloween weekend. Split Stage Productions is staging a live production of The Rocky Horror Show at The Lamp Theatre, featuring the show’s signature numbers The Time Warp and Sweet Transvestite, according to The Lamp Theatre. Per TribLIVE’s reporting, that stage version has showings at 9 p.m. Oct. 30 and 31, plus a midnight performance Oct. 31, at 222 Main St. in Irwin.
For those who prefer the film over live theater, Row House Cinemas is screening The Rocky Horror Picture Show at midnight both Oct. 30 and 31 at its Lawrenceville location on Butler Street, hosted by the Junior Chamber of Commerce Players — described by The Oaks Theater as Pittsburgh’s official Rocky Horror Picture Show shadowcast, a cast created back in May 1978. Row House’s Hollywood location on Potomac Avenue is also running midnight showings both nights, according to Row House Cinemas, which promises moviegoers can dance, call back lines and even throw toast during the interactive screening.
This isn’t Westmoreland Performing Arts’ first run at the Greensburg Garden and Civic Center. A previous WPA production of The Rocky Horror Show played the same venue on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 in years past, according to the Daily Courier, with the same 8 p.m. and midnight time slots the company is using again this year.
