Pittsburgh CLO Heralds Halloween at Greer Cabaret
By SHARON EBERSON
You could hear the excitement and, of course, anticipation in Alexander Podolinski’s voice. Opening night of Pittsburgh CLO’s The Rocky Horror Show was fast approaching, and he had traded in his hometown for Downtown, his boxers for garters, to walk in the high heels of Dr. Frank ‘N’ Furter
For the past five years, Greensburg native Podolinski has played the title character in the live show, for Stage Right and Westmoreland Performing Arts, and his anticipation for PCLO’s production, at the Greer Cabaret October 14-November 8, 2025, was palpable.
Richard O’Brien’s tantalizingly twisted musical about letting your freak flag fly, among other things, arrived on Broadway in March of 1975 and spawned the cult movie that likewise is celebrating its 50th year.
“For 50 years, Rocky Horror has welcomed audiences into a joyful community of celebration and togetherness. … As Dr. Frank ‘N’ Furter sings, ‘don’t dream it, be it’ – we want everyone that attends to be part of something unforgettable,” said Mark Fleischer, PCLO’s executive producer and director of the production.
The movie’s enduring fandom has generated countless call-and-response screenings, and if you have ever yelled, “Vice!,” when the character of Janet Weiss first appears, well, Podolinski is expecting to hear from you at the Greer, too.
“Oh, I hope so. Truly,” he said, “because the audience is a character. They can scream, they can throw, they do whatever. I think it’s awesome. I think it adds into the fun of it all and the aspect of just us being goofy, us being weird, having that space to just let go and make those jokes and callbacks. I mean, personally for me, if I ever go to any sort of Rocky Show, I’m trying to be the loudest person there.”
Throwing things at the stage probably won’t fly in the cabaret, so hold onto your toast, and perhaps, join in by lifting your glass when Frank says, “A toast.”
Podolinski has steadily been making waves for Pittsburgh CLO, as the memorable bad seed Mordred in this past summer’s production of Camelot, and as young Scrooge in A Musical Christmas Carol.
as Frank ‘N’ Furter, with Michael Greer (kneeling, right) as Rocky,
in The Rocky Horror Show. (Image: Matt Pollk)
With the production at the Greer, he notes, he will now have performed at the three musical theater venues, including the Benedum Center and Byham Theater, that have been occupied by PCLO.
“In my school, we would always take a field trip every year to go see A Musical Christmas Carol at the Byham, and I’ve always wanted to be in that show. I’m so honored that I was able to play not only a role that I’ve always wanted to play, but just to be in that show. … I remember talking to my director, Scott [Evans], and being like, ‘This is such a full-circle moment, being on the stage for the first time and seeing the set and all the props … it’s like little kid Alex was coming out, constantly.”
Frank ‘N’ Furter is a more adult full-circle moment, with Podolinski having played the title creature, Frank’s creation, previously, and now the overindulgent mad scientist from “Transexual, Transylvania.”
“I’ve always wanted to play this role, but I always assumed that I’d probably play Rocky a couple more years, and maybe throw a little Brad in there, and then be able to graduate to Frank ‘N’ Furter later on, in my 30s.”
As he spoke, Podolinski had just been in full makeup for the first time, which he said will give a nod to what fans of the film have come to expect.
He recalled his first sight of the original Frank ‘N’ Furter, actor Tim Curry, as “the hottest man I’ve ever seen in my life. And it makes you question so much, in the best way, because I think any Joe Schmo can watch that movie and then be like, ‘Whoa.’ ”
The world of Rocky Horror includes Dixie Surewood as the Narrator, the initially uptight Brad and Janet, (Spencer Millay and Kat Harkins), the newly born Rocky (Michael Greer), Frank’s macabre entourage (Connor McCanlus, Laura Frye and Sam Carter), and, as both Eddie and Dr. Scott, Matthew Hydzik.
O’Brien’s pop-rock songs include the sure-fire ear worms, Time Warp and Hot-Patootie, Bless My Soul.
Podolinski sees playing the key figure in the show as “a massive jump” from Rocky, and a responsibility that he takes seriously.
There’s a deeper meaning in the fandom inspired by Rocky Horror, where, “It’s such a fun way for a bunch of weirdos to be able to do their thing and be around in that community,” he said.
To even say the word “trans” in certain company these days can spark a fraught conversation. Podolinski has no qualms speaking on the subject, although he does make the point that Frank is a transvestite, and not transgender.
“I have two trans sisters, so I’ve grown up seeing how it affects them, and how they get treated, and how important it is to have them be seen,” he said. “I think it’s very important to be able to show human beings who just want to be themselves. … For me, as a straight white man, I think [Rocky Horror] can be seen as an interesting take on how to continue to respect a community. We’re not making fun; we are not disrespecting; we are honoring people who want to be who they want to be. And I love that.”
He goes on to gush more about The Rocky Horror Show, and how it has given its like-minded fans agency to express themselves with total acceptance, and how he can’t wait to see how audience members come dressed for the show — there will be Late-Night Costume Contests at 10 p.m. Saturday and, of course, on Halloween, at 10 on Friday, October 31.
“In case you haven’t guessed,” he said finally, by way of goodbye, “I really love this show.”
TICKETS AND DETAILS
Pittsburgh CLO’s production of Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show is at the Greer Cabaret, Downtown, October 14-November 8, 2025. Special events include The Rocky Horror Drag Brunch (1 p.m. Sundays, October 26 and November 2); College Nights (7:30 p.m. Fridays, except October 31); and Late-Night Costume Contests. Tickets and more information: https://www.pittsburghclo.org/shows/richard-obriens-the-rocky-horror-show.
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