CHAMPION — Certain musicals always look the same, no matter who’s doing them.

The visual style is so ingrained in audience members’ minds that directors seldom stray from those expectations.

Kent State University at Trumbull Theatre breaks the mold a bit with its staging of “The Rocky Horror Show,” and those choices pay off in the production that opened Thursday for an eight-performance run.

The primary set still is a castle as far as the dialogue is concerned, but Kenzie James-Ramsey’s set design has a carnival feel with its colorful stripes. Dr. Frank N. Furter’s creation “Rocky” makes his debut by popping out of a jack in the box. There’s a slide on stage, which is under-utilized, but it does add to the distinctiveness of the show’s look.

The carnival theme influences the costuming (by James-Ramsey and Jessica Brumfield) as well. Frank N. Furter still has a black corset, but there’s also a ringmaster’s top hat and red jacket with tails in the ensemble when Dakota Smith struts on stage to sing “Sweet Transvestite.” Other characters don’t deviate significantly from tradition, but the clothing incorporates components that wouldn’t be out of place on someone swinging from a trapeze.

“Rocky Horror” wouldn’t be the theater staple it’s become (and it wouldn’t be enjoying a Broadway revival) if it weren’t for the 1975 film adaptation “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” which cultivated the fandom for Richard O’Brien’s musical through midnight movie screenings.

Director Marie Keene-James leans heavily into one element that grew out of the cinematic experience — audience participation.

The program included a few of the more common audience callbacks to coach any “virgins” in the audience. There were a few people in costume in the seats on opening night, including one guy dressed as Brad. I suspect he was a plant who will be at every performance, but he might have been just a really, really enthusiastic Transylvanian who gave himself more lines than anyone on stage (if it’s part of the show, he needed to project a little more).

Jenna Cintavey as the narrator had plenty of comebacks, visual props and additional quips that provided many of the biggest laughs of the night, and if the guy’s running commentary wasn’t planned, the entire cast did a great job not letting it throw them.

Leaning into audience participation really is the only way to do “Rocky Horror” because — sorry fans — the show needs all the help it can get.

Its embrace of outre behavior and nonconformity was radical 50 years ago and still welcome today, but agreeing with its underlying message doesn’t compensate for the fact that the second act is an absolute train wreck plotwise and all the good songs (with the possible exception of “Touch-A, Touch-A Touch Me”) are in the first act. The audience needs to shout smart aleck cracks at it, because there are too few in the book.

Clearly, there are many who don’t share that view, and my ambivalence about the show itself didn’t stop me from enjoying Kent-Trumbull’s staging.

Smith made for a wonderful Frank N. Furter, commanding the stage with every strut and delivering some impressive vocal work. Cintavey is a gifted actor regardless of genre, but she really shines in comedic roles, and the Narrator plays to her many strengths.

Harmon Andrews as Brad and Natalie Catherine as Janet worked well together on “Damn It, Janet,” and both effectively conveyed the evolution of their characters from squares to more sexually enlightened. Cordell Ramsey embraced the droll humor of Riff Raff and led the ensemble in a raucous rendition of “The Time Warp,” the musical’s best-known number.

But Keene-James has created a true ensemble with her 21-member cast. Much of the action takes place with the majority of the players on stage, and the director keeps the energy up and the many parts moving, using all sections of the theater, including the aisle. And the costuming and makeup give the show a visual pop that audiences expect.

Unlike many past Kent-Trumbull Summer Stock offerings, this one is intended for mature audiences (or at least immature adults), and it should satisfy those who know what to expect.

If you go …

WHAT: Kent-Trumbull Summer Stock — “The Rocky Horror Show”

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday through July 26

WHERE: Kent State University at Trumbull, 4314 Mahoning Ave. NW, Champion

HOW MUCH: Tickets are $25 for adults, $23 for students and senior citizens and $21 for children ages 12 and younger and free for Kent students and faculty and are available online at ksutt.ludus.com. For more information, call 330-675-8887.