Rocky Horror a delight for young actress

Those who remember Hannah Brinton in high school likely recall a shy beautiful girl who didn’t talk a whole lot — until you put her on a stage under the lights. Then she blossomed.

The 2011 Columbia Falls High School graduate acted in a host of school plays, always giving memorable performances.

Today Brinton is taking her acting into the realm of fun and risqué as a cast member of the Flathead Valley Community College production of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Brinton plays Magenta, a servant to Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a “Sweet Transvestite” from Transsexual, Transylvania.

The cult classic, which features sexual themes, campy violence and the above-mentioned transvestite, is not for children. But since it debuted 1975, it’s been enamoring audiences in both movie and live theaters.

Audience members often know words to songs and lines to the play and often dress up as their favorite characters — in fact, dressing up is encouraged, Brinton said during a dress rehearsal last week.

FVCC theater instructor Joe Legate says that’s what he’s most excited about.

“I can’t wait to see the reaction of our company when they have hundreds of people screaming at them, watching them in complete states of exhaustion,” he said. “It’s going to be wild!”

“It’s very much for mature audiences only,” Brinton said with a smile.

The cast and crew have been working on the production since before last summer, Brinton said.

“It’s about getting out of your comfort zone and getting into character,” she said.

The show is directed by Legate and choreographed by Neiman Wilson, who also acts in the show. Last week, they were putting final touches on the production, which includes a cast of more than 25 players. The FVCC theater is an intimate place — audience members are level with the stage — and the show promises to give members plenty of surprises.

For Brinton, the hours of work have been a lot of fun.

“I’m completely honored to work with these people,” she said.

Brinton will graduate from FVCC next spring. She’s eyeing a dual major in forensic studies and theater at a four-year college.

Performances will take place in the FVCC theater in the Arts and Technology Building on Oct. 26, 27 and 31 and Nov. 1, 2 and 3 at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $15 general admission and $10 students and seniors available in advance at the FVCC Bookstore in Blake Hall, by calling 756-3814, at Campus Grounds inside the Arts and Technology Building, or online at www.fvcc.edu/fvcctheatre.html.

Remaining tickets will be available at the door prior to show times, but when the musical was put on in 2008, it sold out.