Fake threats created by musical director sabotage 'Rocky Horror Picture Show' production, police say
A planned production of cult-classic play and film "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" was sabotaged by the play's own director, according to police.
The Essex, Vermont, Police Department said Kenneth Grenier, who was the musical director for the Essex Community Players' production of the hit 1970s film, sent himself threatening text messages from a subscriber-based cell phone app in order to get the show canceled.
Police said they first began investigating after Grenier, 26, of Hyde Park, reported receiving a series of harassing and threatening texts on April 7 from an unknown person. Those threats eventually led the theater company to shut down production of the play due to safety concerns.
Investigators later learned that the threatening messages were coming from an IP address registered to Grenier's home. When confronted by police, he allegedly admitted to creating a fake account and sending the messages to himself so he could step away from the show instead of dealing with what he described as difficulties with the cast and crew.
Grenier was cited on a misdemeanor charge of false reports to law enforcement authorities. His case has been referred to the Chittenden County Community Justice Center for resolution.