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Anderson Lamp (L) as Rocky and Micah Spayer as Frankenfurter in WIU's Summer Music Theatre's production of "The Rocky Horror Show."
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SMT Closes Season With "The Rocky Horror Show"; July 18-19; 24-26

July 10, 2008

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MACOMB, IL - - Adults, get ready to let loose and be entertained at the sexy, Gothic 1970s rock concert musical "The Rocky Horror Show," the final production of Western Illinois University's 2008 Summer Music Theatre season.

Curtain time is at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 18; midnight Saturday, July 19; and 7:30 p.m. nightly Thursday-Saturday, July 24-26 in Western's Hainline Theatre. Because of sexual situations and strong language, the show is not suitable for children.

"The show is a romping, campy, sensual, sexual excursion; a non-stop marathon of fun," said director Brad Dell, a member of the Iowa State University theatre department and a Western Illinois Master of Fine Arts (MFA) theatre directing alumnus (2005). "It's over-the-top, and sometimes the bottom, in every sense of the word; and the majority of the 16-member cast are incredibly talented Western Illinois musical theatre students and MFA students."

Multitalented senior Micah Spayer (Peoria) is "Sweet Transvestite" Frankenfurter. Frank's creation, Rocky Horror, is played by Anderson Lamp, a University of Iowa theatre major. Western seniors Kyle Motsinger (St. David, IL) and Jillian Kate Weingart (Crystal Lake, IL) - Miss Macomb 2007 - are Brad and Janet, who go to the "Frankenstein Place" in search of a telephone because of a flat tire, where they meet Riff Raff, portrayed by Alex Noble of Greensburg, PA; Columbia, played by sophomore Anna Zerwer (E. Peoria, IL); Magenta, played by junior Lily A. Blouin (Anchorage, AK), who also is the Usherette; Eddie, portrayed by junior Erin Glasnovich (Rio, IL); and Dr. Scott, played by second-year MFA student Brian LeTraunik (Chicago). The narrator is Jason Conner, assistant professor and head of humanities in Western's department of theatre and dance, who also received his MFA in acting at WIU (1998).

Musical direction is by Sharon Nott, an instructor and accompanist in the theatre and dance department; and technical direction is by Michael A. Klippert of Western's theatre department. Designers for the production are WIU Professor Tim Kupka for scene and lighting and MFA students Ann Dunn and Jessica Snyder for costumes. Choreographer is Karla Kash, the head of musical theatre at Drake University and a member of the Actor's Equity Association and The Society of American Fight Directors.

Individual show tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors age 62 and older and $7 for WIU students admitted to Western before Summer 2006. Students admitted to WIU in Summer 2006 or later have paid an arts fee and will get in free of charge. For tickets, contact the box office at 309/298-2900 from noon-5 p.m. weekdays or order online at http://wiuartstickets.com.

Take your ticket stub to Rocky's Bar and Grill, 1420 W. Jackson St., Macomb, from July 18 through Aug. 14 and receive a half-price appetizer.

For more information, call Western's Department of Theatre and Dance at 309/298-1543, or visit www.wiu.edu/summermusictheatre.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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