‘Rocky Horror’ stays in its time warp

“The Rocky Horror Show” has orbited far since 1973, when creator Richard O’Brien dreamed his pansexual sci-fi satire into being in London. The 1974 local Roxy nightclub edition presaged many a basement rabble-rouser thereafter. The 1975 film version spawned a global counterculture of cult audience participants who assault midnight screenings to the present day.

Jaz Davison’s insidious Knightsbridge revival amounts to a 30th anniversary bash. From entrance (with Frederick’s of Hollywood phantoms accosting the crowd), to exit (after an interactive reprise of the barn-burning “Time Warp”), it’s one twisted trip to Planet Transsexual.

By slicing the film’s viewer ad-libs into the original’s Roxy roots, Davison’s high-octane forces send up and celebrate the material. The bare-bones designs offer dry ice wit; musical director Debbie Lawrence’s band and choreographer Jennifer Gabbert’s moves are wicked.

So is the cast, vaulting sporadic faulty wiring to form a formidable camp mechanism. Raymond Donahey’s rawboned Frank N’ Furter fields the rudest audience input with riotous glee. Jayma Mays’ Janet is a pipey-voiced find of delicious proportions. Matt Clifford’s Brad invests nerdy vocals with priceless timing.

Amy Ball’s Columbia suggests Julia Sweeney gone feral. Alex Stone’s Riff Raff blows the roof off; ditto Sarah Marina Ali’s demented Magenta. They, like Jonathan Zenz’s double-duty Eddie/Dr. Scott and Georgan George Yantz’s usherette, have notable chops. Clinton Robert Hummel’s Rocky doesn’t, but few alive will care, and Rob Grindlinger’s narrator overlooks a catapulting corps.

Serious souls will scorn O’Brien’s faux-decadence, missing its nascent self-parody. Better to bemoan the absence of a mirror ball, or the erratic head mikes (blurred lyrics have earmarked the show since its inception). This raucous “Rocky Horror” results in timeless warped hilarity, regardless. It’s just a jump to the left.

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‘The Rocky Horror Show’

Where: Knightsbridge Theatre Los Angeles, 1944 Riverside Drive, L.A.

When: Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 6 p.m.

Ends: Indefinitely

Price: $20-$25

Contact: (323) 667-0955

Running time: 2 hours