BrightSide Theatre has announced the cast and production team for THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, the opening production of its 14th season. BrightSide Theatre Artistic Director Jeffrey Cass will direct a fully staged production of this hilarious cult rock musical that combines such tropes as mad scientists, humanoid monsters, and imprisoned innocents, pulling its ideas from movies ranging from FRANKENSTEIN and DRACULA to IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE. It’s better than a “Science Fiction Double Feature,” to quote the musical’s opening number, and its songs include the party anthem, “Time Warp.” THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW will open on Friday, October 25 and play for three weekends, through Sunday, November 9 in The Theater at Meiley-Swallow Hall at 31 S. Ellsworth in Naperville.
Leading the cast as Dr. Frank N. Furter, the mad scientist and “sweet transvestite from Transylvania,” will be John McNally of Itasca. Brad Majors and Janet Weiss, a newly engaged couple who take refuge in Frank Furter’s castle after their car breaks down in a pouring rainstorm, will be played by Michael Lynch of Chicago and Brooke Kassal of Lombard. Frank N. Furter’s domestic servants Riff Raff and Magenta will be played by Thomas McMahon of Bradley and Michelle Bolliger of Roselle. Cast as Columbia, a young women invited to the castle, is Collette Michelle of Chicago. Appearing as Rocky, the far-from-monstrous-appearing “monster” created by the Doctor, will be Ben Chalex of Chicago. Playing the dual roles of the UFO investigator Dr. Scott and his nephew Eddie will be Mary Grace Martens of Arlington Heights. The Narrator will be played by Scott Kelley of Schaumburg. Cast as Phantoms and understudies are Amelia Tam of Evanston (Phantom, u/s Magenta), Sydnee Howes (Phantom, u/s Columbia), Erica Harrington (Phantom, u/s Janet), Charlie Kungl of Elmhurst (Phantom, u/s Riff Raff), Sebastian Blanco of Woodridge (Phantom), Angel Diaz of Chicago (Phantom), and Michael Bolanos of Chicago (Phantom).
The production team for THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, in addition to Cass as Director, will be Rose Kurutz (Choreographer), Phil Videckis (Music Director), Arabella Zurbano (Scenic Designer), Cheryl Newman (Costume Designer), Kurt Ottinger (Lighting Designer), Delaney Kosar (Props Designer), Tim Elliott (Sound Mix Designer), Jeff Sand (Technical Director), and JJ O’Connell (Stage Manager).
THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW debuted in 1973 at the Royal Court Theatre in London. It was adapted into the film THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW in 1975 and became a midnight movie favorite for years. Though its original Broadway engagement lasted just 45 performances, the revival in 2000 played for over one year, and a new Broadway revival has been announced for Spring 2026.
Tickets are $37.00 for adults and $32.00 for students and seniors. Season subscriptions and individual show tickets are on sale on July 1, 2025, at www.BrightSidetheatre.com or by phone at 630-447-TIXS (8497).
THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW
Music, lyrics, and book by Richard O’Brien
Directed by Jeffrey Cass
October 24 – November 9, 2025
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm.
Press Opening Friday, October 24 at 7:30 pm
Theater at Meiley-Swallow Hall, North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth, Naperville 60540
Tickets $32 - $37, available beginning July 1 at www.BrightSideTheatre.com or at 630-447-TIXS (8497)
Step into a world of glitter, fishnets, and rock ‘n’ roll with THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW! This cult classic is a wild ride packed with outrageous characters, unforgettable songs, and over-the-top theatrical flair. Whether you're a longtime fan or discovering it for the first time, this electrifying musical promises a night of pure, unfiltered fun. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the Halloween season.
BIOS
Jeffrey Cass (Director, Artistic Director) is a Joseph Jefferson Award Nominee and has successfully directed over 30 Productions for BrightSide Theatre, most recently PIPPIN, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, CHESS IN CONCERT, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC and GYPSY. He also played “Edna” in BST’s production of HAIRSPRAY. He holds a B.F.A. in Musical Theater Performance from Roosevelt University. He previously served as the Producing Director for Circle Theatre where he directed eight productions, including THE WHO’S TOMMY (6 Joseph Jefferson Nominations including Best Musical and Best Director).
RICHARD O’BRIEN (Book, Music & Lyrics) who was born in 1942, began his life in the world of entertainment in 1965, when, at the age of 23, he rode horses in British-made movies. He had no desire to become a full-time stuntman and, wisely, took himself off to an evening drama school which claimed to adhere to the teaching principles of Stanislavski, Lee Strasberg, Stella Adler and anyone else that had decided to embrace the more ‘naturalistic’ approach to acting, commonly known as The Method. In 1967, Richard became an ASM and understudy in a musical touring version of THE BARRETTS OF WIMPOLE STREET, retitled as ROBERT AND ELIZABETH. He worked backstage in many West End theatres, most notably the Cambridge Theatre at Seven Dials, where, among other duties, he shone a Limelight upon John Hanson, who at the age of forty-six, may well have been the oldest Student Prince that the world had ever laid eyes upon.
In 1969, Richard joined an ensemble group in a joyous production of GULLIVER’S TRAVELS at the Mermaid Theatre. This show was designed and directed by Sean Kenny. The choreographer was a young Japanese Canadian called David Toguri and the following year, Richard auditioned for him once again and joined the cast of the British touring production of the American ‘hippie’ musical HAIR. After HAIR came JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, which was directed by Jim Sharman. The following year, 1973, Jim cast Richard in a Sam Shepard play at the Royal Court Theatre’s Theatre Upstairs. It was here that he met Richard Hartley, his music partner of more than 40 years. THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW opened in July of the same year and, slowly but surely, became the biggest cult musical of all time.
Other highlights of Richard’s career are, of course, THE CRYSTAL MAZE, a game show that warmed the autumn nights for Channel 4. The Child Catcher in the first stage production of CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG. Performing for the Queen in the gardens of Buckingham Palace upon Her Majesty’s 80th birthday and playing Fagin in a New Zealand production of OLIVER!. In a career that has spanned 50 years, Richard has acted with some of the biggest and best known names in the industry and, lately, he has won over a new and younger crowd of fans as the voice of Lawrence Fletcher, the father of Phineas and Ferb, in the Disney cartoon series of the same name. Although now in his early eighties, Richard still refuses to make eye contact with the grim reaper.
ABOUT BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE
BrightSide Theatre (Jeffrey Cass, Artistic Director and Julie Ann Kornak, Executive Director) is committed to Enlighten, Educate, and Entertain through comedies and inspirational stories from across the globe. A unique blend of award-winners, premieres, modern works and timeless classics meant to reflect upon and inform our community inhabit BrightSide’s stage. For more information on BrightSide Theatre, please visit www.BrightSidetheatre.com.