Eric Gilliom will reprise the role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter for “The Rocky Horror Show,” showing Oct. 17-Nov. 2 at the Iao Theater in Wailuku. Courtesy photo

“This is my swansong,” announced Eric Gilliom, who will glam up for the final time playing the iconic role of the outrageous transsexual Transylvanian Dr. Frank-N-Furter in Maui OnStage’s latest production of the legendary “The Rocky Horror Show” at the Historic Iao Theater.

“This is the eighth time I’ve played the role,” he said. “The first time I played it was in 1992. I want to go out on top, while I’m in good physical shape, and my voice is still strong.”

With the original show celebrating its 50th anniversary, the new Maui production is directed by Kalani Whitford, with musical direction by Robert E Wills. The cast includes Jesie Rocetes as Brad Majors, Amber Rose Seelig as Janet Weiss, Kevin Peer Riff Raff, Aida Rose as Magenta, Ashlyn Mansfield as Columbia, Dr Nat as Rocky, Ikaika Raines as Eddy, Dale Button as Dr Scott, and narrator Ryan Sherwood.

“The cast this year is fantastic,” said Gilliom. “Dr Nat has been on the journey with me the whole way as Rocky. We’ve got a new Magenta and Columbia who are fantastic, and just a bunch of really fun Transylvanians. All the characters in the show this year are really strong.”

For the past four decades, on any night of any year, “The Rocky Horror Show” has been presented somewhere in the world. “Rocky” author Richard O’Brien wrote the play set against the backdrop of the glam era of British popular culture in the early 1970s. The original London production ran for seven years, notching around 3,000 performances.

The show and film adaptation became a cultural phenomenon with exuberant fans dressed as their favorite characters, shouting out lines and throwing props like rice, toast and confetti at appropriate points. No outside objects are allowed at the Iao.

“I love most the message,” said Gilliom about the show. “There’s a powerful moment in the show when Frank-N-Furter basically delivers the message of don’t dream it, be it. For me, this is my way of supporting all people who deserve to express themselves in any way that they choose in terms of gender, race, color. The show is really a love story, but it’s also a way to really endorse the human experience, to be whatever you decide you want to be. There’s a bunch of layers with this show. Obviously, it’s successful because the music is so much fun, and the story is completely over the top. The cult status is something that happened totally organically on a global scale. It’s just a lot of fun, but the show does have some really deep messages, which I think are more important today than they’ve ever been.”

Packed with iconic songs like “Time Warp” and “Sweet Transvestite,” a great band of veteran musicians enhances the production. The live band features Jeff Helmer on keyboards, Ashton Yarbrough on bass, Jake Carter on keyboards, John Zangrando on saxophone, guitarist Steve Boynton and drummer Marty Fera.

“We’ve got a stellar band,” said Gilliom. “With this show for me, I always start with the band because if the band sucks, the show sucks. We’ve got a great band.”

Helping raise the funding to mount the production, he explained: “I really am doing this for Maui OnStage and to keep the local community theater thriving and alive. The arts have struggled for many years, but they’re especially struggling now because they’re being devalued. This is my way of supporting them. I was able to raise all the money for the budget, so the show was completely paid for. It cost $75,000 to get the show to opening night. So this is a great way to support Maui OnStage. One hundred percent of the ticket is 100% of the profit. We really need it. I’m sick of the bad news, so it’s like, well, put on some lingerie and come and do the time warp with us.”

The Rocky Horror Show runs from Oct. 17 to Nov. 2 at the Historic Iao Theater, with Friday and Saturday shows at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday shows at 3 p.m., plus Oct. 31 at 7:30 p.m. Audience participation bags will be for sale at the theater. Tickets range from $10 to $45. The production contains strong adult themes, sexual content and theatrical mayhem and is recommended for ages 16 and up.