BWW Interviews: Kim Mytelka and Kyle Crawford Talk Island ETC's ROCKY HORROR

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, Richard O'Brien's drug-filled (There's no evidence for this? Oops.), musical tribute to sci-fi and B movies is coming to a stage near you - Galveston, to be exact.

In this interview, I talk to the one and only Dr. Frank-N-Furter, actor Kyle Crawford, and the director of Island ETC's ROCKY HORROR SHOW, Kim Mytelka.

BWW: THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW is a cult classic, so it's done a lot in Houston. How did you make the decision to include it in your season line-up?

Kim Mytelka: It was the third musical produced by Island ETC. It was the first musical of our second season. It has been one of the most requested shows that we bring back. Since this season (our twelfth) is a season of re-do's (shows we have previously produced), it only made sense to do it again. Besides, it's so much fun!

BWW: How are you keeping the production fresh?

Kim Mytelka: It's a difficult production for a director because so many people have seen the movie. There are certain expectations that some audience members have from that film. Although Mr. O'Brien kept the screenplay for the film very close to the musical, there are some differences. It is a live stage musical. As for keeping it fresh, I try really hard not to think about the film, but to focus on creating a great theatrical experience for both our audiences and for the entire production team. We have a fantastic set design by Thomas D. Boone. He has created an environment that is enticing yet a trap - like a maze or a spider's web. My costumer, Jutta Franklin, is putting her own spin on our costumes. Also, I have a fantastic cast willing to try new things. I have a very young cast who did not 'grow up' with ROCKY HORROR. They bring new interpretations to me and to the stage.

Kyle Crawford: Because we are a "younger" troupe of actors, we all have different points of view. The characters that we are creating are truly unique, and I honestly think unlike any ROCKY HORROR set of characters anyone has seen before. Everyone is super-excited about this production and it is making us work that much harder.

BWW: An enticing trap sounds interesting. What will be your take on the make-up, and the aesthetic in general?

Kim Mytelka: My production team and I are working to create another great musical theatre production. I see the show colors as dark and a little 'off.' I have an incredibly beautiful cast, and they are prepared to show lots of skin (no nudity in this one though). We are going to let them play with creating their own makeup, but it will be big and bold and perhaps just a little creepy. That pretty much sums up what I am trying to create - big, bold, a little 'off' and, hopefully, more than a little creepy.

BWW: [Laughs] It's so cool that you're doing your own make-up.

Kyle Crawford: Well, I can't take credit for all of it. I am very fortunate to have a stage manager (Amy Mershawn) who is an incredibly talented makeup artist. We actually just started playing around with my make-up and we are both really excited. I don't want to give it away but I will say that we are drawing inspiration from the movie but putting our own spin on it. It is iconic but also our own.

BWW: Kyle, tell us about playing Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Did this role pose any challenges?

Kyle Crawford: It is an incredibly challenging role, mainly because it is iconic. When people think Frank-N-Furter, their minds go directly to Tim Curry. So it's been interesting to find my own interpretation of the character and follow my own journey with it.

BWW: How did you find your interpretation?

Kyle Crawford: I started out asking myself "Why is he the way that he is?" I also asked, "What does he want?" I think that is the most important thing about developing a character, figuring out what they want. Once I figured that out, I went from there. I'm also drawing a lot of inspiration from some of the choices our music director, Eduardo Guzman, and I have made in some of the songs. We have developed a nice duality, musically, with the character and I'm definitely incorporating that onstage as well.

BWW: What has Eduardo been saying to you?

Kyle Crawford: What hasn't Eduardo been saying to me! [Laughs] He has so many great ideas with this score, whether it be bringing down the level at one point or taking a pause at this moment or making something extremely dramatic. His process is incredible. I think people should expect to be blown away by some of the things that we are doing in this show. Expect some cool surprises.

BWW: What changes have you made to the character?

Kyle Crawford: Well I'm definitely feeling more of a rock star vibe with the character this time around. It's feeling very glam rock as we are doing the show and starting to add costume pieces, hair and make-up. My Frank-N-Furter is somewhat of a ticking time bomb. It doesn't take much to set him off and you really never know what is going to come out of his mouth. As far as problem solving goes, I've just been relying on the text. I feel that if you truly are embodying the character and asking yourself, "Why does he do or say this," then there isn't any problem you can't figure out.

BWW: What are some aspects of the production that you think should never be subject to fashion or change?

Kim Mytelka: This show was not intended to be 'politically correct.' It was actually written by Mr. O'Brien to have fun and release some of his creative energies. So, I feel strongly that we cannot impose today's politically correct standards on this show. It is meant to be fun, to poke fun at science fiction movies of the 1950's and 60's, and it is meant to be full of sex. I'm definitely not going to change any of that. So ETC's production is definitely not appropriate for young audience members.

BWW: [Laughs] You're directing, Kim. Are there any challenges that are specific to this piece?

Kim Mytelka: The biggest challenge with this show is knowing that many of our audience members will have certain expectations based on the film. The first time ETC produced THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW I was worried that we would let down the cult fanatics. But audiences are much smarter and way more accepting of differences between live productions and films. I am seeking a balance between the 'expected' and our interpretations and still leave the audience completely satisfied with our "ROCKY HORROR" experience.

We are also going to do our best to 'educate' the virgins (at least to ROCKY HORROR!) in the audience. We are going to sell survival kits that will include audience call out lines and some of the 'props' needed to properly interact with the show.

BWW: What should the audience expect from this production of ROCKY HORROR?

Kyle Crawford: They should expect excellence. We are all being held to such a high standard with this show and it is going to be incredible. I really do believe that this show will thrill you, chill you and fulfill you. Beyond great singing and unforgettable characters, the audiences can expect to be entertained. They can come and be transported to another world where their problems and stress don't exist. Where absolute pleasure is the only thing that matters.

BWW: Why should Houston audiences make that hour long trip to Galveston to see the show?

Kyle Crawford: Why not? [Laughs] Audiences are truly in for a treat with this show. We have created a truly unique production of THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW. Our creative team consisting of director Kim Mytelka, choreographer Jennifer Dougherty and music director Eduardo Guzman have quite literally breathed new life into this show. We are creating an unforgettable theatrical experience.

BWW: That sounds amazing. OK, so this is for the up-and-comers and life-long learners out there: What has been your path as an artist Kim?

Kim Mytelka: I saw my first professional live theatrical production when I was seven years old. I decided then and there that I wanted to get on the stage. I was fortunate enough to become involved with community theatre the next year. And every summer for six years, the kids in my neighborhood put on a talent show. After the second year, I sort of took over the recruitment of kids for talent and organizing the show. (I don't think I thought of it as directing.) By junior high being cool and popular became important to me, so my theatre dreams and desires were put on the back burner. I became active in high school theatre and went on to study theatre in college. I have a BFA and a MA in theatre with an emphasis in directing. I worked both as a teacher and in community and professional theatre in Galveston until I had my first child. Other things became priorities for me, and I was privileged to work as a volunteer with several nonprofit organizations. Eventually, I knew that I wasn't going to feel whole until I was doing something in theatre. A long-time friend convinced a local theatre to hire me to direct a musical. I jumped back in and with the support of my amazing family have been fortunate to continue doing what I love. I'll be honest, I never set out to run a theatre. I am just so lucky to have a fabulous support system, a great team, and wonderful talent - actors, musicians, designers, etc. who work with me to create great theatre!

BWW: Kyle, what has been your path as an artist?

Kyle Crawford: Well, I started doing theatre my junior year of high school. I didn't even start doing musical theatre until much later after that. I performed at a few community colleges that I attended after high school before transferring to Northwestern State University, where I studied musical theatre. I graduated in May of 2013 and moved back to the Houston area, where I have been performing non-stop since.

BWW: Do you have any advice for or words of inspiration for struggling, up and coming artists?

Kim Mytelka: I believe in education. If you are fortunate enough to get to do advance studies in your chosen field, do it! Pick the brains of every teacher, professor, director, and mentor that you can. Don't get complacent. Keep challenging yourself. And know that you didn't enter the arts to make lots of money.

Kyle Crawford: I would say, don't give up. It's extremely easy in this business to get discouraged and throw in the towel. I challenge everyone to push themselves and keep striving for greatness. No one decides what you can or can't do.

Tasty food for thought. Island ETC's THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW runs from Friday, October 31st- Saturday, November 29th. For more information, visit http://www.islandetc.org/.

To post a comment, you must register and login.