Rust Belt’s ‘Rocky Horror’ goes steampunk this year

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Rust Belt Theater Company again will present “The Rocky Horror Show” this Halloween season, but with a new look.

“People will notice a lot of changes from the production we originally staged at the Oakland Center for the Arts two years ago,” said director/designer Robert Dennick Joki. “We are going for a steampunk theme this year, combining Victorian fashion with futuristic innovations. It is going to be unlike anything anyone has seen in the Youngstown area.”

The two-weekend run begins Friday and includes two midnight performances. Curtain times will be at 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Oct. 28 and 29; and midnight Saturday and Oct. 29.

Joki said that many of the original cast members have returned, but there are also a lot of new faces. The cast includes Nicole Zayas, Richard Morrow, Misty Sharrone, Kelsie Moon, Johnny Minelli, Melissa Cook, Taylor Wamsley, Kristopher North, Kage Coven, Gerri Dewitt, Joki, Jonathan Rondinelli, Marisa Zamary, Jennifer Caventer and Crystal Beiersdorfer.

There also will be guest appearances by Khaled Tabarra at the 8 p.m. performance Friday; Bernadette Lim at midnight Saturday; and John Yuhas at midnight Oct. 29.

The Rust Belt Theater Company is located in the Calvin Center at 755 Mahoning Ave., just outside of downtown Youngstown. Tickets are $15 ($10 for students and seniors). For reservations, call or text 330-507-2358. Seating is limited. For more information, visit facebook.com/rustbelttheater.

Guests who attend the 8 p.m. show Oct. 28 will be given free admission to the Youngstown Zombie Prom — a community Halloween party at the Calvin Center featuring food, beer and music — after the performance.