But I was excited that the Civic Theatre decided to produce THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW LIVE, which runs through November 3.

I saw the movie once, when I was 18. I sat in the back, but I was enthralled by the audience interactivity. It's strangely enjoyable when the audience is the highlight, rather than the actual show.

The Civic's production of ROCKY is no exception. In spite some technical issues that delayed the second act, opening night's performance was given a well-deserved standing ovation by its age-diverse audience.

Few audience members were dressed in costume on opening night, but most seemed to have purchased the $5 prop kit available for sale in the lobby (outside props are, for safety reasons, not allowed).

Several "Rocky" fans were in the house, shouting out their "counterpoint dialogue." Opening night jitters or stage acoustics may have been to blame for the cast stepping over the audience interjections. Many good lines got through, but often the cast did not allow ample time for the lines to be said. A few audience "plants" might have helped the cast know when the lines might be coming.

But when it worked, it really worked.

The music was extremely well done, by the onstage singers, the offstage vocalists, and the band, led by Eunice Wadewitz, who also jammed on keyboards. My metal-head companion was pleased with the band, commenting that THE SOUND OF MUSIC last season could have used an electric guitar.

Director Phillip Colglazier is to be commended for his casting. Great performances were given all-around, in particular Robert Scrimm (using a clever theatrical stage name) as Dr. Frank N. Furter, who perhaps needed a wig of some sort. Gayle Goodrich and Mark Dunn were an excellent, wide-eyed Janet and Brad. Other standouts were Doug Strahm as Eddie (singing my favorite song from the show, "Hot Patootie, Bless My Soul"), Natalie Y. Jones as Dr. Scott (one of the few actors who noticeably paused for audience commentary), and E. Ann Detwiler as Columbia (a high school senior giving a seasoned performance). David Lengel might not have seemed young enough to play Rocky, but with his physique, who cares? His six-pack is something you just don't see live outside of a Chippendale show. (Not that I've ever been to one).

Ed Eisbart as the narrator came up with a brilliant ad lib when the onstage projector failed to work: "We forgot to pay our cable bill."

The set by Jon Sandmaier earned applause when the curtain rose. It was nicely complemented by rock concert style lighting, designed by Heath Hays. The costumes by Louise Heckaman were appropriately sexy without being lewd. The choreography by Gary Lanier was fun and true to the spirit of the show.