The University of New Haven Theater Program’s production of The Rocky Horror Show will premiere on Nov. 12 in Bucknall Theater at 8 p.m.

The Rocky Horror Show is a musical written by Richard O’Brien that has captured audiences since its inception in the early 1970s.

The musical is a humorous tribute to science fiction and horror films produced in the 1940s. It tells the story of a newly engaged couple who find refuge from a storm in the home of a mad transvestite scientist and his new creation, a muscle man named Rocky Horror.

The theater program’s take of the cult musical classic, which features songs “Sweet Transvestite” and “Touch-A Touch-A Touch Me,” will be showing five times: Nov. 12, 13, 14, and 15 at 8 p.m. and again on Nov. 14 at 11:30 p.m.

“Diehard fans of the movie or stage musical will really appreciate our take on The Rocky Horror Show and have a blast,” said cast member Stephen Shepherd. “Audience members who know people in the cast will revel at what they have to act out onstage, and everyone else will love it simply for the caliber of performance talent being showcased, as well as for the sheer insanity of the plot.”

The cast and crew have been working on this show since Sept. 4 under the direction of Jonathan Yukich, rehearsing for long hours in Bucknall Theater.

“Learning how all of the actors interact with each other onstage as their characters, with lines, blocking and choreography, is always fun and experimental,” said Shepherd, who plays one of the Phantoms. “Figuring out costumes and hair has also been a hilarious adventure, especially for all of the Phantoms in the cast!”

Bridget Koestner, the costume designer for the show, said that though she’s designed a handful of shows before, none compared to The Rocky Horror Show.

“The costumes, hair and makeup in Rocky Horror are such an incredibly important aspect of the show,” she said. “The look of Rocky Horror is a big part of what makes it so extreme and exciting; it’s a big responsibility, but one that I’ve enjoyed so far.”

Koestner, who has been working with her two assistants, sophomores Rhiannon Ferronetti and Sydney Varick, was given the opportunity to be as creative as possible with the costumes. She was able to come up a lot of her own ideas while working closely with Yukich.

Rocky Horror, historically, has always relied heavily on audience participation. “People yell back lines at the screen during the extended pauses between dialogue, dress up in costume and act out the film, and throw props various times during the film,” says the official Rocky Horror website. “The audience participation phenomenon was observed as early as the film’s first run in 1975 and was later re-released as a midnight movie where the audience participation really began to flourish.”

UNH actors will interact with the audience throughout some parts of the show. “I know that the cast is being prepped for audience interaction,” Shepherd said.

“Our 11:30 p.m. show on Fri, Nov. 14, is likely to attract diehard fans who will want to interact with the cast.”

Shepherd said the show is a cult classic for a reason.

“It has catchy tunes, outrageous characters, hilarious moments, references to so many classic science fiction stories, and it is all led by a sex-crazed, moody drag queen from outer space,” he said. “What’s not to love?”

“It’s really incredible to see the show come together from the inside,” said Koestner, who’s no stranger to the stage.

Koestner has been involved with four shows at UNH, including The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later as a costume designer and Death: A Play as a performer. Koestner has been a part of 38 productions outside of UNH as either a costume designer or a performer.

“You wouldn’t believe how much effort, work, and love goes into putting a show together, especially among the crew members,” she said. “Seeing all of that come together is truly amazing, and being a part of it even more so.”