FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MAUI, HI (September 7, 2022) – The Rocky Horror Show will return to the Historic Iao Theater this October with a ten-show run over three weekends and on Halloween. Eric Gilliom will reprise his role as Frank ‘N’ Furter. Being that it’s Frank ‘N’ Furter’s party, Eric intends to play the audience like an instrument. “It’s a wonderful mixture of entertainment and the audience plays a huge role in the evening’s experience,” says Gilliom. With this cult classic, you just never know what the audience will say or do at various momentous times.

There is a distinction between the Rocky Horror Picture Show and The Rocky Horror Show. The movie is The Rocky Horror Picture Show while the live show is the Rocky Horror Show. Regardless of the movie or show, the audience is encouraged to participate by purchasing goodie bags at the concessions by Wailuku Coffee Company prior to the show.

The first run of the Rocky Horror Show was in 1992 under the direction of Mike Snyder, who was brought in from New York. It was a huge success, a complete sellout with an all-star cast including Amy Hānaiali’i. Then again in 2001, the Rocky Horror Show was brought back to the Iao Theater under the direction and production of Eric Gilliom and again it was a hit.

Now, after a long hiatus, the show returns with Kalani Whitford, longtime Maui Director and Choreographer, directing the show. Kalani is a graduate of the Pacific Conservatory for the Performing Arts and holds a BA in Theater and a BA in Humanities from Thomas Edison University. Kalani directed and choreographed CLUE On Stage, Xanadu, Mamma Mia, Cabaret, 9 to 5 and Shout! The Mod Musical at Maui OnStage and Evil Dead the Musical at ProArts Playhouse.

The band will include Sal Godinez and Peter Hamon on keys, John Zangrando on horns, Marcus Johnson returns on bass, and Marty Fera on drums, Willie K’s drummer. Guitarist Ed Hamilton, who played the Broadway Rocky Horror Show and every Broadway show in the last 30 years, will join the band under the direction of Robert E.Wills. Robert has had a long career in music, his baritone solo and conducting career has given him the opportunity to give five concert tours of Europe and appear as a soloist with many renowned orchestras. His musical theater life, both as a performer and as a music director, has a wide array of experience. As a music director for theatrical productions, he has been the music director for Matilda the Musical, The King and I, Spirit of the Iao (80th anniversary of the Historic Iao Theater), The Sound of Music and Annie with Maui OnStage.

ABOUT MAUI ONSTAGE
The origins of Maui Community Theatre began in the early 1920’s as an off-shoot drama department of the Maui Women’s Club. In 1931, 2 smaller theater companies joined together and officially became Maui Community Theatre. Their 1st production as MCT was the 3-act comedy “Mr Pim Passes By” written by A.A. Milne (who eventually became famous for writing Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner). Over the decades, MCT did shows here and there including several in Baldwin High School Auditorium in the 1960’s. In 1972, MCT moved into the Territorial Building in the Old Kahului Fairgrounds. The 1st production there was “Auntie Mame”. The Territorial Building had been MCT’s home for over 10 years until an arsonist set fire to the old wooden structure (built in 1920) and it burned to the ground in minutes. MCT lost everything – from sets and costumes to sound and lighting equipment to brand new seats not even fully paid for yet, but the most heartbreaking loss were the scrapbooks containing decades of photos, articles and posters of previous productions dating back over 40 years. In September of 1984, thanks to Mayor Hannibal Tavares, MCT found a new home at the Historic Iao Theater in Wailuku.

ABOUT HISTORIC IAO THEATER
The Historic Iao Theater was 1 of 7 theaters in Wailuku town. She was the last one built and the only one standing today. She is the 3rd oldest theater in Hawaii. In December of 1927, construction began on the theater for the Maui Amusement Company. It promised to “meet the needs of Wailuku and give it a place of amusement and entertainment which will be equal to anything furnished in other communities”. Designed in the very popular Spanish-Mission Revival style of the time. Original California Art Tile Co and Gladding McBean tiles laid in the open lobby are still there today. Opening on August 22, 1928, the Iao Theater was built to be a moviehouse and live performance venue seating 702. Today the Iao Theater seats 400.