An OKC theater has put a Texas twist on 'Rocky Horror Show' — here's what you need to know

It ain't Lyric Theatre's first rodeo with "The Rocky Horror Show."

But hot patootie, bless my soul, the fine folks at the "Official Theatre of the State of Oklahoma" have outdone themselves this year, rustling up a particularly rowdy production of Richard O'Brien's cult-classic by gleefully defying the slogan "Don't Mess with Texas."

From leather chaps and cow-print fabrics to snazzy fringe and Stetson hats, Lyric's creative team finds more memorable ways than you can shake a stick at to put a Texas twist on this seasonal favorite.

Here's what you need to know about Lyric Theatre's Lone Star State-themed staging of "The Rocky Horror Show," which is strutting its stuff through Oct. 30 at Lyric at the Plaza:

What is 'The Rocky Horror Show' about?

O'Brien's wildly entertaining gender-bending 1973 musical tunefully pokes fun at sci-fi and horror B-movies of the 1950s and '60s.

The famously racy and raunchy stage show follows the naive and newly engaged Brad and Janet (Logan Corley and Sadie Koopman), who are forced to seek help at an eerie mansion on a stormy night after their car gets a flat tire.

The rambling house turns out to be the home of "Sweet Transvestite" and mad scientist Dr. Frank ‘N’ Furter (Dallas-based actor Lee Walter) and his assorted colorful minions, including his cryptic butler and handyman Riff Raff (Lyric's resident "Rocky Horror" super-fan Matthew Alvin Brown); Riff Raff's sister, the sultry maid Magenta (Gabriella Rae Jimenez); the perpetually perky groupie Columbia (Emily J. Pace); and the enigmatic song-and-dance ensemble the Phantoms (Mariah Warren, Kat Metcalfe, Sheridan McMichael and Caleb Barnett).

When he isn't sneakily taking turns seducing both Brad and Janet, Dr. Frank ‘N’ Furter relishes showing off his latest Frankenstein-style creation: Rocky (Joshua Thompson), a physically perfect muscle man “with blond hair and a tan.”

Mayhem, murder and space aliens all are involved.

What's the difference between 'The Rocky Horror Show' and 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show?'

"The Rocky Horror Show," O'Brien's popular stage show, was faithfully adapted in 1975 into a now-iconic film, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," starring Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon and Meat Loaf. O'Brien co-starred as Riff Raff and penned the screenplay with director Jim Sharman.

The theatrical version and the movie version both have earned cult followings of fervent fans who enjoy dressing up as the memorable characters, providing a running commentary of spicy callbacks and deploying a series of props — from rubber gloves to playing cards — that make both experiences famously interactive.

For grown-ups searching for the live interactive cinematic experience in OKC, The Boom is continuing its annual "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" tradition, which includes a meatloaf dinner, through Halloween.

Who should see Lyric Theatre's 'Rocky Horror Show?'

For those who prefer a totally live "Rocky Horror" experience, Lyric Theatre stages the spooky season spectacle every three years. So, there's not much time to waste if you want to get your thrills "Over at the Frankenstein Place."

Given the strong language and mature themes, Lyric isn't allowing anyone younger than 13 to attend its production.

Not only is the salacious song-and-dance extravaganza made for adult audiences, it's also best viewed by someone who isn't going to be offended by risque shadow puppetry, booty-bearing chaps or scantily clad men and women doing the iconic "Time Warp" in thigh-high boots, fishnet stockings and leather corsets.

The cult-classic also requires a certain tolerance for controlled chaos: The story has more salty twists than an entire pretzel factory, and even if you don't know or want to do the callbacks, you're likely going to be surrounded by at least a few fellow theatergoers shouting insulting expletives and off-color one-liners all night.

But if audience participation is your thing, the titillating title is legendary for good reason. Lyric Theatre doesn't allow outside props but sells prop boxes (complete with a cue list, thankfully) for $5, allowing audience members to play along.

"The Rocky Horror Show" has a strong message of self-awareness tucked in its fishnets, and it's best to engage in a heaping helping of that before buying tickets, especially if you're the easily outraged sort.

What can you expect from Lyric Theatre's 'Rocky Horror Show?'

"The Rocky Horror Show" may be a bawdy, gender-bending parody of B-movies, but Lyric Theatre stages the cult-favorite with the same A-level talent it brings to its other shows.

Under the dead-eye direction of Producing Artistic Director Michael Baron, the entire cast is insanely talented — and insanely committed to delivering the signature insanity of the notoriously naughty show. While celebrated song-and-dance numbers like "The Time Warp," "Sweet Transvestite" and "Hot Patootie" always get fans shivering in antici- ... yes, I'll say it ... pation, this sterling ensemble ensures that lesser-known gems like "I Can Make You a Man," "The Sword of Damocles" and "Planet Schmanet" cut the mustard.

In their Lyric debut, Walter is both fetching and formidable as the outlandish cross-dressing mad scientist Dr. Frank ‘N’ Furter, while fellow Lyric newcomer Thompson gives an impressively athletic performance as Rocky. Koopman, who adds a beguiling dash of Southern belle to her Janet, and Mario Matthews, who handily plays the dual roles of the ill-fated delivery boy Eddie and his peculiar paraplegic uncle Dr. Scott, are Lyric first-timers, too.

Local favorites like Brown, Pace and Jimenez give their usual stellar turns, but Lyn Cramer, an OKC theater mainstay who hails from Texas, skillfully steals the show as the first woman Lyric has cast as the narrator, our stalwart, beer-swilling guide on this "strange journey."

What's with the Texas twist to this year's 'Rocky Horror Show?'

Lyric stages "The Rocky Horror Show" every three years, and every time, the professional theater goes all out with a different visual theme for the outrageous tale. Past presentations have played out in a '50s drive-in, a circus sideshow and the French Quarter of New Orleans, but this year's Texas twist — from its "Chainsaw Massacre" references to its ribald mechanical bull rides — may be my favorite.

Not that one is exactly necessary, but the rationale for setting this year's production in Denton, Texas, is in this line the narrator speaks early in the show: "It seemed a fairly ordinary night when Brad Majors, and his fiancée Janet Weiss ... two ordinary healthy kids ... left Denton that late November evening."

And the whole Lyric creative team goes whole hog in flamboyantly sending up our neighbors south of the Red River. Under the direction of keyboardist Brian Hamilton, the five-piece band spikes the score with a charming twang that owes a debt the size of Dallas to fiddler Shawna Kennedy.

Choreographer Kaylene Snarsky adds country line dancing to "The Time Warp" and a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders-style kick line to the "Floor Show," while wig and makeup designer Brawna Brinkley Gfeller seems to find equal parts inspiration in "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" and the USA Mullet Championship.

Set designer Dillon Bertholf and props designer Amanda Schnake set up Dr. Frank ‘N’ Furter and his madcap band in a handsome ranch house — complete with a grand staircase, stately fireplace and wood paneling — and extravagantly adorn it with Texas flags, cow-print curtains, steer horns and other country-kitsch delights.

But nobody goes bigger with the Lone Star State theme than longtime costume designer (and Denton native) Jeffrey Meek, whose creative use of boots, chaps, cowboy hats, University of Texas jerseys and a veritable acre of fringe keep the show shinier than a rodeo cowboy's new belt buckle.

Even after a half-century, "Rocky Horror" still has plenty of snap in its garters — and Lyric Theatre's Texas twist is all the more reason to get gussied up and go to the show.

LYRIC'S 'ROCKY HORROR SHOW'

When: Through Oct. 30.

Where: Lyric at the Plaza.

Tickets: https://lyrictheatreokc.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC theater's 'Rocky Horror Show' messes with Texas: What to know