Richard O'Brien's stage and film classic The Rocky Horror Show comes back to Italy Apr. 20 to celebrate its 25th anniversary. After highly successful runs in the last two seasons, when it played to sell-out audiences in Rome, Milan, Bologna, Turin, Genoa and Trieste, the cult favourite is now ready to embark for the third consecutive season on a six-week Italian tour thru May 30.

Starring in the lead role of Frank'N'Furter is American actor and singer Bob Simon, whose credits include West Side Story , The King and , Cabaret and Grease (U.S. touring production). Also starring are Gregory Watt (Brad), Elisabeth Sayre Yeats (Janet), David Nehls (Riff Raff), Cindy Trail (Usherette/Magenta), Mindy Stover (Columbia), Michael Dalton (Rocky), Eric Garcia (Eddie/Dr. Scott) and Hans Goetzfried (Narrator).

Directed and co-produced by Cristopher Malcolm (who played Brad in the original Royal Court Theatre Upstairs production), the show features choreography by Stacey Haynes, sets by Robin Don, costumes by Sue Blane and musical arrangements by Richard Hartley.

The Rocky Horror Show finally moved to the West End's Comedy Theatre where it played for over one year. The musical eventually enjoyed a total London run of 2,960 performances.

The Rocky Horror Show , however, did not do well in America, where the New York production closed after only 45 performances. But, ironically, in the USA, where the show flopped, the 1976 film became a cult item. The first scenes of audience participation, which has since become the norm, originally took place on American university campuses.

The "rock'n'roll" musical features a number of now very popular hits -- also among the Italian audiences, who have learned how to participate -- including "Time Warp", "Science Fiction, Double Feature", "Sweet Transvestite", "Damnit Janet" and "I'm Going Home" The 6 weeks long Italian leg of The Rocky Horror Show Silver Jubilee European tour will run as follows:

Apr. 20-23, Turin - Teatro Colosseo

Apr. 24, Brescia - Palatenda

Apr. 27-29, Florence - Teatro Verdi

Apr. 30, Follonia - Palagolfo

May 1, Sanremo - Teatro Ariston

May 2, La Spezia - Teatro Civico

May 3, Vercelli - Teatro Civico

May 4, Arezzo - Palasport

May 6, Reggio Emilia - Palasport

May 8, Lugano (Switzerland) - Congress Hall

May 11-12, Leghorn - Teatro La Gran Guardia

May 13-17, Rome - Teatro Olimpico

May 19-30, Milan - Teatro Smeraldo

Further information on the The Rocky Horror Show tour is available at Milan's Teatro Smeraldo calling +39 2 29.00.67.67.

--By Stefano Curti
Italy Correspondent