Rocky Horror Picture Show music performed by Monsters of Rock!

The Rocky Horror Picture Show as presented by the PTPA and Monsters of Rock

Hazleton, Pennsylvania - Billed as the areas ultimate 80's tribute band, Hazleton based Monsters of Rock will join forces this week with the acclaimed Pennsylvania Theatre of Performing Arts, in their upcoming production of the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

"It was a natural", according to PTPA production manager Michael Marone. The organization had worked with Monsters of Rock keyboard player on prior projects, and knowing that he is a part of this popular band, we couldn't help but ask them to join us! After all, it's Halloween and this is Rocky Horror…who better to perform the musical score than the Monsters of Rock!"

The band has enjoyed a variety of notoriety during the past year including performing with popular 1980's recording artists Ratt, and Vixen.

According to the bands founder and drummer, Vick Lutsky, the band plays throughout the area's clubs, bringing a complete rock show to every single performance.

"We don't just stand up there and play the song. Instead, we give the people a show that's completely over the top and reminiscent of the big shows of the 1980's", said Lutsky. The music we take to the audience ranges from about 1975 through 1995, but the emphasis is centered on all that great music from the 80's."

"This particular show, gives us an opportunity to stray a little bit from our comfort zone and experiment with a whole different genre of music. While its rock oriented, its structured very differently from what we're accustomed to because its written to accompany the stage actors."

The bands lineup includes, as mentioned earlier, accomplished keyboard player and vocalist, Mark Hydock, who's band credits include playing with area bands such as Atlantis and the Herman James Band. He has shared the stage with Dakota, Steppenwolf and other national acts during his thirty years of performing professionally. Mark's diverse background also includes performing in nearly 20 off Broadway shows, as well as writing several scores.

Monsters of Rock drummer Vick Lutsky has been performing locally for over 25 years, and was taught personally by the late Ray Carbe, Sr., a local music icon. Vick has performed with some of the areas most talented musicians in bands such as Valhalla and 1980's hair band, Dirty Tryxx. Vick left the music scene for a dozen years after opening the local internet access service Intergrafix in the early 1990's, but got the itch in 2004 to find like minded musicians to put together what would eventually become the Monsters of Rock. See just the right show, and you might catch this drummer stretching his legs and fronting the band on a song or two!

Hazleton area guitarist, Tran Tumbelty, had so much in common musically, with Vick, that it took all of about sixty seconds for Tran to become the Monsters' lead guitar player. Tran is well known from playing with area bands such as Aftermath and Something Wet, and truly punctuates the guitar driven music the band has become known for.

At just twenty one years old, Ian Whitcomb is the youngest of the Monsters, but you wouldn't know it from his playing style, as he kicks out the tunes like a veteran player. Inspired by bands of the 80's yet growing up with the bands of the new millennium, Ian brings a completely fresh perspective to the band.

The bands front person and lead vocalist is one of the areas leading ladies of rock, Dani Magill. Singing before she could walk, Dani moved to the Hazleton area from New Jersey, and loves covering 80's diva rockers such as Pat Benetar, Heart and Lita Ford. Dani's extensive range and power also allow her to cover some of the bands' popular male material such as Journey and Guns N Roses.

Rounding out the bottom end is veteran bass player, Jim Penkala, also from Hazleton. A long time friend of Vick's, the two crossed paths a great many times over the years, and it was only a matter of time until they worked together in a band. Monsters became that band. With well over 25 years under his belt, Jim has enjoyed performing with a myriad of bands, including Vandargo Sky, Derailed and Hocus Pocus to name a few.

"The Rocky Horror Picture Show was first released in 1975 and has gone on to become a cult hit with a loyal following of fans." Lutsky continued, "many folks have either heard the Broadway version of Rocky Horror, or have gone to see the movie, but this musical score is going to be just a little bit different," said Lutsky with a grin. When asked to elaborate, Lutsky just smiled and said …"let's just say we Monsterized it!"

Show dates for Rocky Horror Picture Show, are: October 27th and 28th, and November 3rd and 4th.

For more information about the show or PTPA, show tickets, and directions, please visit: www.ptpashows.org

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