Cast of the Rocky Horrible Show

By Johnny Trlica

What began as a play in 1973 in London transformed into a cult favorite when it was brought to the silver screen in 1975. For many years, The Rocky Horror Picture Show had midnight showings at the River Oaks Theatre in Houston with a tradition of audience participation through call-back lines and attending dressed as characters from the show. More than a few grains of rice were thrown.

Some 40 years ago, Robert Mainor (1938-2022) of Robert’s Lafitte, put together a parody and The Rocky Horrible Show was born.

This Halloween season, the tradition continues at the Galveston show bar with three performances starring a wide variety of cast members. The cast is a great mix of experienced stage performers, drag queens and a straight person or two thrown in just for fun. Now let’s all do the time warp again as we dream about a sweet transvestite from Transsexual, Transylvania, whom we’d love to touch-a, touch-a, touch-a. You sang those didn’t you?

Cast of Rocky Horrible: Kneeling: Lucio Nieto; second row l to r: Carl Bridges, Jennifer Jenkins, Bryian Hendricks, Fallon Smith; top row: Brandon White, Shanice Monroe; left insert: Draven Garrison; right insert: Austin Gaston

This year’s cast of The Rocky Horrible Show is:

Lucio Nieto as Dr. Frank-N-Furter

Lucio Nieto brings loads of personal growth and insight into his character. “I’m a man who loves wearing a good pair of heels. In the past I would have done anything to have someone love me,” Nieto says. “His relationship with Rocky was solely based upon a desire to have someone tend to his needs and wounds of being unlovable. His jealousy is all too familiar. With several years of reflection and work on myself, I veer towards platonic companionships now, where I find the most fulfillment. Yet, once upon a time, I was as sexually liberated and free with my body as Frank is with so many characters in the story. Chasing sex seemed to always be the most exciting in my twenties. I relate with Franky, because I, too, at times in life chased the thrill and rush of lust.”

Lucio first caught the acting bug at four years old after watching The Wizard of Oz on VHS. He began acting classes at the age of six in Dallas. After graduating high school, from 2011-2020 he lived in NYC and LA, working on stage in theatre as an actor and director, did some modeling and served as the artistic director of a New York theatre company he co-founded with several peers from The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts.

Earlier this year he ventured into the world of drag, taking part in Serena’s Crown of the Coast at Robert’s Lafitte where he placed 1st Runner Up and was honored as Miss Congeniality.

Lucio, who is single, promises to bring charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent to Dr. Frank-N-Furter.

When not on stage, Lucio is the assistant director and creative director for Del Sol + Cariloha in Galveston. “Outside of my responsibilities to the global retail brands, I work in the recording studio writing music, mentor aspiring actors, write and direct short films, produce music videos and advocate for the LGBTQIA community as a performer,” he adds.

Shanice Monroe as Janet

Shanice Monroe is a transsexual/drag performer, who brings years of stage presence to the role of Janet. Based in Galveston, she is looking forward to challenging herself in the role. Having played Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the past, who is more like her usual stage persona of a diva to that of the pure, naïve, young woman, is a challenge she is looking forward to.

“This year I wanted to challenge myself and be the total opposite, so I went out for Janet Weiss, from one extreme to the other. But I love the challenge. I always have a good time working with the cast, the old ones and new ones. We become a family in the month of rehearsals as we prepare for performance day. I can always depend on my cast mates for support and to have my back when and if I need it. Plus, I get to know new people,” says Shanice.

Shanice caught the acting bug in 1997 at a club called Evolutions where C.C Rider was the show director. “I didn’t know what drag was. I had seen RuPaul and loved her, but I didn’t know it was called drag or I would be doing it on a stage in front of an audience, but after performing Destiny Child’s ‘No, No, No’ I was hooked, and Shanice was born. Twenty plus years later I still have that feeling when I hit the stage,” Shanice states.

“I have been married to James Durand legally since 2016, but we got together in 2008 at Robert’s Lafitte’s patio, but that’s another story for another time. My first appearance in Rocky Horrible was in 2013, where I was an extra in the background,” says Shanice.

Brandon White as Brad

Brandon White plays the part of Brad. Being a conduit for laughter brings me joy,” he says. “My drag name, currently, is Stupid Nasty Bitch.”

Brandon has performed previously at Meteor, Lambda Center’s Mr. and Ms. Lambda and Houston Round Up. “I also played Frankenstein Monster in a Halloween themed musical in the third grade. I forgot the title, but my song was, ’Tap Your Terror Away.’ It’s my pride and joy,” he says.

In Rocky Horrible, he wants to bring the tiniest nuance to my character. “I’ve seen it so many times and I aspire to bring every facial feature and gesture to the stage. Impossible, but I want to give it my best,” he says.

Legally married to his husband for six years, together for fourteen, Brandon said, “I only relate to Brad in the sense of having a sense of protection for the ones I love. Other than that, we’re almost complete opposites.”

Brandon likes to garden, cook, craft and read in his spare time.

Jennifer Jenkins as Magenta

Jennifer Jenkins is playing Magenta for the umpteenth time. She describes herself as a long-time patriot ally and supporter of the LGBTQ+ community and a sister to many other drag performers. Jennifer feels that she and Magenta are kindred spirits, sharing the same red hair, have the same quirky dark humor and both like wearing sexy outfits.

Jennifer is married to the first straight, former Mr. Robert’s Lafitte. “Being a heterosexual couple at the bar, the patriots and community have accepted and loved me and my husband and family for many years. Me and my husband and family also love, respect, accept and support everyone in the LGBTQ community,” she tells the Montrose Star. They got married on a Halloween night in Salem, Massachusetts. Jennifer has been married to Jonathan Jenkins for sixteen years and, of course, he has been in past productions of Rocky Horrible.

Rocky Horrible was Jennifer’s first and only experience being on the stage performing to an audience. She had no idea what it even was until a friend, Dixie Monroe, a.k.a. Cassie Cass, asked her to be in the show. “She gave me some good advice and told me to put all my faith and words in her, and she will help me and guide me through, and that’s what I did. I caught the acting bug ever since so I give much thanks and appreciation to her,” Jennifer says.

“I guess you can say Magenta has become a part of my Halloween tradition. Even though I played Magenta many times I always bring something different in my character, even if it’s a different body gesture, movement or look on my face, or changing my hair from night to night. I always make Magenta different than the last, and this year should be different than the previous years,” says Jennifer, when she is asked about her relation to her character.

When she’s not Magenta or being an advocate for the community, Jennifer is a wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend.

Draven Garrison as Rocky  

Draven has been doing drag for six years, after catching the performing bug as a freshman in high school. This is his first Rocky Horrible show, but it was inevitable since his father and stepmother have appeared in earlier productions.

“I relate to Rocky in that all he wants to do is feel love and he doesn’t want to feel like an object. Before I met my partner, that’s how I felt, that I was just being used as an object and nothing more. The special trait I’ll be bringing to the table is lots of emotions and feelings,” said Draven.

Draven is in a four-year relationship with Eric and hopes to be engaged soon.

When not at work in the leasing field or performing, he loves playing video games with his boyfriend and other friends.

Carl Bridges as Riff Raff

Carl Bridges, making his third appearance in Rocky Horrible, will portray Riff Raff. In previous shows he was Dr. Scott and Magenta. Known as Lady Liberty Bell when performing in drag, Carl is not unlike Riff Raff-mysterious and strange. “This is my trait that I also feel about myself,” he says.

Carl has been doing drag for about ten years, just finishing a reign as Miss Robert’s Lafitte. Lady Liberty Bell has also been crowned Miss Sweetheart and Miss Possum Queen in earlier pageants.

Though currently single, Carl, an LVN for over forty years, is always looking for love. In his spare time, he takes care of the elderly. “I can’t wait to do the time warp with you October 24th and the 25th with a special matinee show the 26th,” says Carl.

Bryian Hendricks as the Criminologist

Bryian Hendricks will play the criminologist. “I will bring my creativity and my talent, and I will navigate you through this Transylvania journey,” he says, “I was introduced to doing drag by my drag mom, Jada Vandross Ross.”

This is not Bryian’s first performance in Rocky Horrible. He was Brad in 2024 and is looking forward to a new and challenging part.

Fallon Smith as Columbia and show director

Fallon Smith has dual roles in this year’s production, playing groupie Columbia and also directing. She also played Columbia last year in her debut in the show. “It was a really great experience for me, she’s such a fun character,” says Fallon. “I first got into acting in middle school, and it helped me overcome my social anxiety issues. I have always been a performer. I was in countless plays in school. Since then, I’ve gotten into drag where I perform as Farrah Monroe. I also never pass up a karaoke opportunity.”

Fallon, in a loving relationship with partner Scott, said she brings a fresh perspective and a fierce love of the source material along with an extensive theater background. She plans to make the show bigger and more spectacular as an experienced director.

“I have an extensive theater background, and I plan to make the show bigger and more spectacular,” she says. “Rocky Horrible is a great show to direct because the characters are so defined and iconic. There’s also room for the actors to make new and exciting choices.”

When not on stage, Fallon is a visual artist. She does caricatures and digital commissions, specializing in drawing people and comics.

Also appearing in the production is Austin Gaston. Showtimes are October 24-25 at 10 p.m. and Sunday afternoon on October 26 at 3 p.m.

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