Leave the kids at home for entertaining 'Rocky Horror Picture Show'

The Charleston Ballet Theatre would like, if they may, to take you on a strange journey.

Friday night, in a "shadow cast" production, it opens "Rocky Horror Picture Show."

Accompanied by the actual movie in the background of the Black Box Theatre, a dance interpretation will be added to the cult classic. The CBT encourages patrons to come fully dressed in regalia from the movie and to engage in (un)traditional "Rocky Horror" audience participation.

A 5:30 p.m. drop-in for ticket holders will be hosted by Shine restaurant before the opening.

And after every show, CBT partner Fish restaurant will host the official after-party, billed as "Brad & Janet's Wedding Reception."

You'll know it by the hearse parked outside.

There, participants can enjoy the themed decor, complimentary hors d'oeuvres and two signature cocktails: the Time Warp and the Sweet Janet.

"It's a great night of fun," said CBT resident choreographer Jill Eathorne Bahr.

But, she warns, "it's for mature audiences. This is not a family event. It is for one who loves to laugh, enjoy outlandish entertainment and live theatre."

She says that part of what makes CBT special is its desire to take risks and push the envelope of the ballet profession by creating productions that are not normally part of the classical ballet company repertory.

In the latest example of that, "Rocky Horror" leads will be performed by Stephen Gabriel (Dr. Frank-N-Furter), Alexander Collen (Brad Majors), Melody Staples (Janet Weiss), Jonathan Tabbert (Riff Raff), Melissa Weber (Magenta) and Andrea DeVries (Columbia).

"Charleston Ballet Theatre's Rocky, or Stephen Gabriel, is one of the most consummate dance artists in the country now," Bahr said. "His ability to 'wear a role' is phenomenal. Rocky shows his most outlandish side."

It's the audience, though, that really makes a "Rocky Horror" production the mental mind fair that it is.

"The audience participation is never the same and wonderfully spontaneous," said Bahr.

"When I was in college, we used to pile into the car every Saturday night and head out to the midnight showing of 'Rocky Horror Picture Show,' " she said. "It was great fun: You sang along to the songs, yelled out key phrases, and in general had a blast without booze or drugs. What more could a parent want? 'Rocky Horror' rewrote the rules or, perhaps more accurately, the audiences themselves invented a new form of movie, in effect producing the 20-year run of a happening known, as the 'Rocky Horror Picture Show.' "

If you go

What: Charleston Ballet Theatre's 'Rocky Horror Picture Show.'

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Oct. 30-31.

Where: Black Box Theatre, 477 King St., downtown Charleston.

How much: $32, $30 for adults. $15 for students with an ID. Purchase them at charlestonballet.org or by calling 723.7334.

More info: charlestonballet.org.