The Rocky Horror Show is Outrageous Camp!

The Rocky Horror Show

 

Book, Music, and Lyrics by Richard O'Brien

Directed and Choreographed by Russell Garrett

Musical Direction by Fred Frabotta

Scenic Design, Jenna McFarland-Lord; Costume Design, Nicole Watson; Lighting Design, Jeff Adelberg; Sound Design, Nathan Leigh; Production Stage Manager, Steven R. Espach

 

CAST (in order of appearance) Merrill Peiffer as Magenta (a Domestic), Annie Kerins as Columbia (a Groupie), Nathan Colby as Brad Majors (our Hero), Jackie Comisar as Janet Weiss (our Heroine), Bill Taylor as Narrator (a Narrator), Mike Kaz as Riff Raff (a Henchman), Jon Peterson as Frank N' Furter (a Scientist), Dave August as Rocky (a Creation), Peter Adams as Eddie/Dr. Scott (a Rival Scientist)                  The Phantoms: Amanda Ferguson, Andrew Giordano, Darius Harper, Shannon Lee Jones, Andrew McLeavey, Rebekah Turner

 

Performances through October 22, 2006 at Foothills Theatre                                                                                                                         Box Office 508-754-4018    www.foothillstheatre.com

 

I lost my virginity at the Foothills Theatre last Sunday and I'm so glad I waited until I was old enough to appreciate it.  Now that's not to say that you have to be approaching retirement to enjoy the experience - I saw lots of young people having their socks knocked off, too.  I guess my point is that no matter what your age, the first time is special and to be savored.  I'd like to do it again, but, wait - I guess that's not possible.

For you neophytes (I used to be one), virgins have not previously seen or participated in The Rocky Horror Show, stage or screen version.  I strongly suggest you remedy the situation by boogying to downtown Worcester and joining the next audience.  In Rocky Horror, the audience is part of the show and playing along is de rigueur.  For $5 you can purchase a props kit that includes a glow-stick, noisemaker, confetti, and a roll of toilet paper, etc., as well as instructions for their use at appropriate moments in the play.

 

But I'm getting ahead of myself because I want to set the stage for you.  Jenna McFarland-Lord has done a great job in creating a Gothic look and it is creatively enhanced by Jeff Adelberg's lighting design.  In the opening number "Science Fiction Double Feature," Magenta, Columbia, and the Phantoms (dressed to look like movie theatre ushers) really creeped me out by holding flashlights under their chins to illuminate their faces on the darkened stage.  It was a spooky and eerie effect that added to the ambience and foreshadowed what we were in for.

 

The story opens as Brad Majors and Janet Weiss, the goody-two-shoes couple, become engaged and decide to visit Dr. Scott, their mentor and the man who introduced them to each other.  As they commence their journey, the Narrator appears downstage left in a little library alcove and begins to tell the story we are about to see.  One of many great sight gags is the human-powered vehicle the couple is driving and the way one of the tires blows out.  This is the start of a night Brad and Janet "would not soon forget."

With folded newspapers (see props kit) held above their heads to shield them from the rain, they walk back to a remote castle in search of a telephone. (Note: This was written over thirty years ago, long before the proliferation of cellphones.)  Although not warmly welcomed, they are escorted in by Riff Raff, Magenta, and Columbia, a ghoulish looking lot.  Before our heroes can get used to their unusual appearance, the threesome break into "The Time Warp," a rather bizarre dance sequence (kudos to the tap dancing skills of Annie Kerins).  The Narrator pulls down a wall chart diagramming the dance steps and the Phantoms join in, bursting with energy and looking like they're having great fun.

Moments later, Dr. Frank N' Furter rises on a platform from beneath center stage, making an entrance befitting his grandeur, and struts his stuff for Brad and Janet in "Sweet Transvestite."This scientist from the planet Transsexual in the galaxy of Transylvania is working on reanimating a human to create a sexual playmate for himself, but he also takes an interest in both Brad and Janet, both of whom have been stripped down to their underwear by the servants.  Neither of them look as good as Frank in his black corset, garters, and fishnet stockings (costumes by Madonna?), but they'll have their chance.

 

The buff playmate is cooked up in a giant microwave oven and steps out to adoring eyes.  Rocky is shy and hesitant at first, but eventually becomes an ardent member of the group, participating in sexual activity with both Frank and Janet.  Frank also has trysts with Janet and Brad, feeding them each the same lines about how the other needn't find out.  The staging of these bedroom scenes is cleverly done as silhouettes projected on a sheet with backlighting.  The audience doesn't get to see any skin, but there's lots of that later as everyone ends up dressed (or undressed) like Frank N' Furter when the floor show goes on.

 

At this point, the story gets a little murky as Dr. Scott arrives and his relationship with Frank is not clear.  While he is obviously a loose cannon, I'm not sure why Frank turns each of the characters into still-life statues and dresses them in lingerie.  However, it results in great silliness as they return to the stage to sing and dance in a cabaret act.  The merriment is interrupted when Riff Raff and Magenta arrive to announce that they are taking the castle back to Transsexual and eliminate some of the members of the party with their sonic transducer.  Brad, Janet, and Dr. Scott are allowed to leave and go back to their lives.  They were not "transduced," but they were certainly transformed.

The Rocky Horror Show is an entertaining nugget.  While it is not an example of great writing or plot development, and has only two or three standout songs, it is a solid spoof of the science fiction and horror genres.  The cast in this production is terrific across the board and makes our experience more enjoyable because they appear to be so into it.  In addition to looking great in women's underwear, Jon Peterson can really belt out a song and strut in high heels at the same time.  He carries the show as the mad scientist, but is ably supported by his domestics (Mike Kaz ought to consider pursuing a career as a rock star) and the Phantoms.  Nathan Colby, a Clark Kent look-alike, and Jackie Comisar, who brings to mind Sarah Jessica Parker, seem better suited to the straitlaced characters they play in the first act than to the sexually uninhibited Brad and Janet in Act Two.  As Narrator, Bill Taylor adds wonderful flavor to the storytelling.  Be sure to keep your eyes on him so as not to miss his silent antics.  For that matter, keep your eyes on everyone or you're sure to miss some look, some pursing of the lips, or some sight gag.

Russell Garrett does double duty as Director and Choreographer and makes it look easy.  The show moves along at a quick pace and the dancing makes us want to get up and join in. (If you are so moved, scroll to the end of this column.)  Musical Director Fred Frabotta and the four other members of the Rocky Horror Band keep things rocking and rolling.

The Rocky Horror Show has lots of vulgar sex jokes, bad puns, pop culture references, and doesn't shy away from homosexuality, transvestitism, and infidelity.  Most of the characters don't wear much and they're not very nice people.  I loved it!

 

 

 

How to do the Time Warp 

1. (It's just a ) JUMP TO THE LEFT, with hands up

2. A STEP TO THE RIGHT (a wide step) 

3. (with your hands on your hips) YOU BRING YOUR KNEES IN TIGHT

4.(then) THE PELVIC THRUST (if repeated FIVE times, it nearly drives you insa-a-ane) 

5. HIPSWIVEL (if not driven insa-a-ane by step four) 

 

6. LET'S DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

To post a comment, you must register and login.