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16 Year Old Louisvillian brings “Rocky Horror Show” to town for the second year to aid Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

Rachel Helson, a 16-year-old senior at the Louisville Collegiate School, has four aunts that have been afflicted with breast cancer. When the fourth of her aunts was diagnosed last year she decided it was time for her to join the battle to help The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation combat the disease.  As a result she conceived her project “Acting for a Cure”.

Helson, with support from Lead Corporate Partner, Joseph’s Salon & Spa, corporate sponsors, friends and family is producing a second run of the theatrical production of Richard O’Brien’s smash hit “The Rocky Horror Show”. Four performances will be staged on Friday October 21 & 28 and Saturday October 22 & 29 in the Bomhard Theatre at the Kentucky Center.  Proceeds are being donated to the Louisville Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.  Due to the overwhelming success of her project, last year Helson surpassed her fundraising goal of $10,000 and donated nearly $12,000 to the local Komen Affiliate. This year her goal is to raise $50,000 from her “Acting for a Cure” project, which she believes she will again surpass. Although Richard O’Brien’s “The Rocky Horror Show” originated as a stage production, it is perhaps best known through its film version and cult favorite “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”.

“October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Rocky Horror, a fabulous musical, certainly fits the season,” says Helson. “That’s why we selected it.” The production is being directed by Gil Reyes with musical direction by Gayle King. Local celebrities, Chris Parente, of WAVE 3 and Mel Fisher of WHAS/WQMF Radio will be appearing along with Helson, and a cast of talented local actors. Robert McFarland, formerly with Louisville Ballet, returns to reprise his role of Dr. Frank ‘N’ Furter.   “We’ve assembled a great cast, the best in musical direction and musicians, secured a terrific venue and the show will be so much fun for the audience and the actors” said director Gil Reyes.

Helson spent this summer at Carnegie Mellon’s Pre-College Intensive studying musical theatre. Prior to that she spent the previous two summers studying acting in New York City.  She studied musical theater at the prestigious Circle in The Square Theater program and performed Rocky Horror’s “Touch-A, Touch-A, Touch Me” in the Broadway program’s cabaret. Helson has performed locally with Stage One Theatre’s performances of “Snow Queen” and “Best Christmas Pageant Ever”. 

In addition to the expanded performances, there will be a Rocky Extravaganza event  The $75 ticket price includes a pre-show cocktail party, performance ticket, and a post-show champagne and dessert reception with the cast. Jarfi’s Bistro will again be donating the fare for this event. Tickets to the Extravaganza are available by calling 502-558-6572, 502-897-5369 or by visiting Joseph’s Salon & Spa at 3938 Dutchman’s Lane. In addition to selling Extravaganza tickets, Joseph’s, whose staff will be styling hair and make-up for the Rocky performances, will be selling Rocky Participation Packages at the salon and during performances for a $10 donation. The fun packages will contain items to assist the audience in joining in the excitement of the show, which traditionally encourages audience participation. Kelli Campbell, owner of Joseph’s Salon & Spa expressed that they are “excited to be combining efforts with Acting for a Cure to raise funds for this worthy cause. Both groups hope that the community will enthusiastically join in the fight…and the fun…as we all work together to overcome breast cancer”.

“We have been so touched by Rachel’s initiative,” said Stacey Griffin Hallahan, President of the Louisville Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.  She thoroughly impressed us last year so we know she can accomplish anything she sets her mind to.” adds Hallahan.

The performances of “The Rocky Horror Show” on Friday, October 21 & 28

and Saturday, October 22 & 29 at 8:00 pm will be in the Bomhard Theatre at The Kentucky Center. Tickets priced at $25 each are on sale at The Kentucky Center Box Office 584-7777 or through ://www.kca.org.

The mission of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation is to eradicate breast cancer as a life threatening illness by advancing research, education, screening and treatment. Seventy-five percent of the money raised by the Louisville Affiliate stays in this community to further the mission and treat the medically underserved.”  For more information on the Komen Foundation call 584-CURE or visit www.komenlouisville.org.