Okay, all you Rocky Horror Picture Show fanatics, get ready to dress up and sing along (and don’t forget your roll of Scott toilet paper to hurl at the screen) as you follow the antics of Brad, Janet and Frank-N-Furter just as audiences have done for half-a-century.
The 1975 cult classic kicks off an ambitious remainder of the year schedule of movies, concerts and all-around good times at the Grand Theater.
Along with the Rocky Horror Picture Show (which never seems to get old with audiences), you can see three harried women get even with their tyrannical (and lecherous) boss in the hilarious “9 to 5” (August 1st); marvel at John Travolta’s moves to the Bee Gees’ iconic soundtrack in “Saturday Night Fever” (August 15th); rethink your next visit to the flower shop after seeing the dark comedy “Little Shop of Horrors” (August 22nd), and, if you are a boomer, reminisce during the film that defined your generation, “The Big Chill”(August 29th).
Boomers, we can almost see you rocking out to “I Heard it Through the Grapevine” and Aretha’s “Natural Woman”.
But as good as these classic movies are, Bill Cull, president of the 428-seat state-of-the-art performing and visual arts theater, has an eclectic lineup planned for this season.
In addition to the classic cinema options, there are plenty of live performances to suit every taste.
On September 6th, five-time Grammy winner Marty Stuart headlines the first of 11 live concerts and performances. Stuart is one of the most versatile of the contemporary country singers – his music having been influenced by bluegrass, Southern rock, blues and rockabilly.
Versatility is also a word that can be used to describe Rising Appalachia, a group whose music is deeply rooted in the landscapes of the Blue Ridge Mountains of southern Appalachia. Their September 13th concert will illustrate a musical palette which features both multiple styles and instruments.
It’s back to pure country on September 18th with Country Royalty. Two of country music’s legendary stars Hank Williams and Patsy Cline will live again on stage thanks to the efforts of Jason Petty, singer and storyteller, and award-winning vocalist Gail Bliss who will channel these icons.
The Grand will switch musical gears during October for concerts featuring three completely different musical genres. First up on October 11th will be Louis Prima, Jr. and his big band. Bringing the jazz and swing tradition of his famous father into the 21st century, Junior’s performance promises to live up to the title of his debut album, Return of the Wildest.
October 17th will see the return of a Grand Theater favorite, the acclaimed Vienna Boys Choir. Audiences can prepare for an evening of uplifting music from the world’s most famous children’s choral group.
Another complete reversal of musical styles takes place on October 24th as the Lovin’ Spoonful, one of the most popular folk/rock bands of the 1960s and 70s takes the stage. The band will reprise some of their most famous chart toppers such as “Summer in the City” and “Do You Believe in Magic?” It may be a new generation of Spoons, but the old magic is still there.
Van the Band may not be as legendary as the iconic Van Morrison from whom they took their inspiration, but audiences should enjoy seeing them weave Morrison’s music in between their own range of genres from Celtic folk to R&B, Jazz and Blues to Soul on November 7th.
Damn Tall Buildings is another band which may not yet be a household name (at least in certain households). Give them time. With their lyrical storytelling, they tell the American saga in song. They will be in concert at the Grand November 14th.
For four nights in November (4-7th), the Bluegrass Theatre Guild, based here in Frankfort, will stage their performance of Rat-a-Tat Man, the story of Oliver, a young boy whose turn on the drums during a Christmas program, might have involved a sinister secret.
Audiences will be in for a double dose of laughter December 27th with the comedy stylings of a former television reporter and a former policeman – now stand-up comics otherwise known as Lee Cruse and Mike Armstrong.
The Grand Theater concludes its 2025 season on January 16th with the critically acclaimed American Spiritual Ensemble.
The ensemble is led by University of Kentucky’s own Everett McCorvey.
All programs have a 7:30 starting time.
