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The rock-and-roll musical that launched the midnight movie craze will be performed live at Civic Theatre of Allentown, Oct. 4-19. Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show comes to Civic for 12 performances, including two Friday midnight shows.

"This show is outrageous," says Lenny Leibowitz, Civic's artistic director and the director of the production. "It's all about getting wacky. What other show gets the audience literally dancing in the aisles?"

The Hawk, Classic Hits 99.9 FM sponsors the production, which opens Civic's 2002-03 season. Support for the season is provided by Service Electric Cable TV and Communications.

O'Brien's 1972 stage play, a rock musical spoof of the sci-fi and horror genres, tells the story of a wholesome young couple, whose car breaks down one dark and stormy night. In search of a telephone, they discover the castle of Frank N. Furter, a "transvestite from Transylvania," who has discovered the secret to creating life.

The show features the campy classic song "The Time Warp," made famous by the long-running, late-screening 1975 film adaptation, starring Susan Sarandon, Tim Curry and Meat Loaf. The movie initially flopped at the box office, but found new life when midnight screenings and outlandish audience participation turned it into a legend. Dick Cavett starred in a 2001 smash hit Broadway revival of the stage production.

The Rocky Horror Show receives additional support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional funding is provided by the Arts Commission of the City of Allentown and by Lehigh County.

The Civic Theatre of Allentown is located at 527 N. 19th St., Allentown. Hearing assistance is available. The Rocky Horror Show plays Oct. 4-5, 10-12, and 16-19, all at 8 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 11 and 18 at midnight; and Sunday, Oct. 13 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $21 on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, $23 on Fridays and Saturdays. Students and seniors receive a $2 discount every day but Saturday. Group rates are available.

Purchase tickets by calling (610) 433-8903, or order online!