Antici...pation Builds for SUU's "Rocky Horror"

Southern Utah University’s Department of Theatre, Dance, and Arts Administration is proud to present Richard O’Brien’s cult classic The Rocky Horror Show to life in a daring production directed by Matthew Pedersen. Performances will take place in the SUU Auditorium Theatre on April 10, 11, 13, and 17 at 7:30 p.m., with matinee performances at 2:00 p.m. on April 11 and 18.

The Rocky Horror Show follows the straight-laced couple Brad and Janet after a car breakdown leads them to the mysterious mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. What unfolds is a whirlwind of eccentric characters, electrifying rock numbers, and unforgettable moments, including the iconic “Time Warp.” This show has become a cultural phenomenon known for its irreverence, camp, and interactive audience experience.

Pedersen’s production reimagines the story through the lens of queer futurism, offering a visually striking and emotionally resonant take on the material. In this version, Frank-N-Furter is portrayed as unmistakably alien, navigating a world where identity, belonging, and connection feel just out of reach.

“This production explores what it means to exist as ‘other’ in a world that demands conformity,” Pedersen said. “Frank is being shaped by fragments of human culture—science fiction, comic books, and cinematic icons—which become his guide in constructing identity and meaning. At the same time, Brad and Janet begin in a contained, idealized world, and their journey forces them to confront a much larger, more complex reality.”

As the boundaries of Brad and Janet’s carefully structured lives dissolve, they encounter a universe of liberating and disorienting possibilities. Through this collision of worlds, the production invites audiences to reflect on their own search for identity and belonging.

“Like these characters, we are all navigating inherited narratives while longing for connection,” Pedersen added. “This show asks us to consider what happens when those journeys toward self-actualization come at a cost.”

Audience participation remains a key part of the Rocky Horror experience, as popularized by screenings of the made-for-film version of the stage play, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. While participation is encouraged, audiences must remember that the show features actual live humans (and aliens) onstage, backstage, and even in the audience. Please prioritize respect and joy to ensure absolute pleasure for everyone.

Tickets are $16 for adults, $12 for alumni, and $8 for non-SUU students. SUU students, faculty, and staff are admitted free to one performance with a valid ID. Tickets are available at www.bard.org/tdaa.

So take a jump to the left, a step to the right, and with your hands on your hips, get ready for a transformative journey at The Rocky Horror Show! For more information about Theatre at SUU, please visit www.suu.edu/pva/tdaa. Content Warning: This production includes adult themes, mild language, depictions of violence and death, and sexual content, and is not suitable for all audiences.

 

About the College of Performing and Visual Arts

The College of Performing and Visual Arts (CPVA) at Southern Utah University comprises 41 academic programs, including liberal arts (BA/BS) and professional (BFA, BM, BMEd) degrees in art, design, dance, filmmaking, music, and theatre. It includes graduate programs in the fields of arts administration (MFA, MA), music education (MME), and music technology (MM). More than 60 full-time faculty and staff are engaged in teaching and mentoring over 900 majors in the College. CPVA presents over 100 performances, lectures, presentations, and exhibitions each year which are complemented by the Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA) and Shakespeare Studies at SUU, and is affiliated with the Tony award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival (USF). Southern Utah University is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD), National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD), National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), and the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) making SUU the first public university in the state of Utah to be accredited by all four associations. For more information about the College of Performing and Visual Arts, visit www.suu.edu/pva.

Tags: Theatre Theatre and Dance Theatre Arts and Dance College of Performing and Visual Arts Theatre Dance and Arts Administration

Contact Information

Kol Gibson
435-865-8667
kolgibson@suu.edu