Bozeman Magazine

Imagine a comedy rock opera that’s part “Easy Rider,” part “Helter Skelter,” and part “Rocky Horror,” and you’ll be somewhere close to the deeply silly and ultimately good-hearted vibe of Freak Out! With infectious tunes composed and arranged by the late Joe Knapp, Freak Out! tells the story of a couple of drug-dealing bikers on a voyage to discover “the real America.” But the two unlikely heroes soon find themselves embroiled in a devilish cult that is trying to take over the world! Add an amazing, singing, puppeteering cast and live band featuring some of Bozeman’s most talented stage performers and you’re in for a trippy roadtrip of laughs, surprises and solid rock and roll. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself humming songs like “Damn Dirty Hippies,” “When You’re In a Cult,” and “Satanic Panic!” Directed by Sadie Cassavaugh, Freak Out! was written by Ryan Cassavaugh, with music by Joe Knapp. Cast includes Ryan Lawrence Flynn as free-loving Brother Wind, Pol Llovet as chilled-out veteran Commander Cody, Harry Schwem and Ty Gardner as officers Rusty Badge and Duke Hazzard, Wren Garverick as Adder Prime, Leandra Hill as Pastor Prime, and Jasper Kirshner and Harry Jahnke as depraved acolytes Sunflower and Moonglow. The house band features the talents of Luke Flansburg, Joe Kirchner, John Sanders, and Ryan Cassavaugh.

Two shows of Freak Out! The Musical will rock the house nightly at 7 and 9:30 pm on Friday and Saturday, May 24–25 at the Rialto Theater, 10 West Main, Bozeman. Reserve tickets at: freakoutmusical.com