BWW Exclusive: Let's Do The Time Warp Again...and Again...and Again. The Cast of Stratford's THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW on its Record-Breaking Run

And then there was one...

The curtain has fallen on the other 11 productions of the Stratford Festival's 66th season, but THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW is still going strong. Originally set to close on Halloween, the show has been so popular with audiences that it has been extended three times throughout its run and will now close on Sunday December 2. It is officially the longest running show in the history of The Stratford Festival.

BWW chatted with several cast members via email and they all expressed gratitude and excitement about the show being extended yet again.

Eric Abel, who plays one of the beguiling and sexy Phantoms in the production, explains: "I was surprised because there have been countless shows that have been massively successful here and so to be a part of such a unique show has been amazing."

Colton Curtis, another Phantom, hopes that the popularity of ROCKY HORROR is a sign of what's to come for theatre in Canada: " I think it's pretty amazing that ROCKY is the longest-running Stratford show. It's also a testament to the times we're in. And, most excitingly, it proves that a new audience is coming to see theatre and wants to see exciting theatre that isn't necessarily done all the time! I hope this is the beginning of a trend in Canadian theatre programming where theatre companies take risks on projects they may not have in the past."

As excited as everyone is about the extension of ROCKY, it means something a little different to one cast member. Upon learning of the extension to December 2, "The first thing I thought was 'Oh God, I'm going to be spray tanned and hungry for another month!' laughs George Krissa, who plays scantily-clad, reluctant boy-toy, Rocky. "But I'm really excited to be part of something that people are really excited about."

And what do cast members think about making Stratford Festival history with this show?

"It feels really amazing." shares Krissa. "Working here has been a dream of mine for years. So to finally get here and then all of a sudden be part of Stratford Festival history is pretty surreal."

Steve Ross, who plays the popularly unpopular Narrator, is having a blast: "We had so much fun in the rehearsal hall creating this show. [Director] Donna Feore is always such a team leader and a joy to work with. To have this sort of recognition while doing a show that is this much fun....Well, that's certainly icing on the cake!"

For Curtis, the 'Longest Running' accolade is just the tip of the iceberg. "I feel proud to be a part of Stratford history in this way. If I may be so bold, I think ROCKY HORROR will go down as not only the longest-running show, but also one of the most exciting and engaging."

Bethany Kovarik, who plays another Phantom in the show, echoes Curtis' pride in what they have created: "It's a very proud feeling for sure! With all the hard work we (the cast and the creative team) put into this production, seeing the results with such a successful run is truly amazing."

With a Stratford Festival show being extended into the month of December for the first time ever, BWW just had to know if the cast thinks the experience will feel different.

"It will definitely be different once the snow flies!" exclaims Jennifer Rider-Shaw, who portrays the sexually-repressed-until-she-isn't Janet Weiss in the production. "It's a funny feeling to be the last show running - suddenly, the theatre becomes very quiet, all the other actors are gone, we no longer share our dressing rooms..."

"I think seeing the Christmas decorations go up will be a real sign of how much time has passed! " adds Sayer Roberts, the portrayer of Janet's fiancé-slash-Madison dance enthusiast Brad Majors. "To get to ride the wave of how this town works with the Festival season is interesting - seeing it get busier and busier in the spring, and now to watch as it quiets down again, and to sit in that quiet, rather than leaving right away."

"It feels like this season is never ending!" jokes Abel. "Each season that I have been lucky enough to be a part of gets longer and longer." Abel credits director, Donna Feore and her creative team for the longevity of the show. He also acknowledges that another change that comes with this extension is that audiences may now have to contend with the weather to get to their seats. "Stratford in the winter time is also just as beautiful as in the summer, but let's hope the snow doesn't deter anyone!" [Author's Note: We don't think it will!]

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW had its first preview on April 27th and hit its 100th show milestone on November 11th. The cast was quick to share some favourite moments from over the course of those 100 performances.

For Ross, there were certain shows that felt extra special: "Every show has been great but I will never forget the 10pm shows. And the Halloween show. They were like rock concerts. The energy coming from the crowd was overwhelming. And truly exciting!"

For Rider-Shaw, a major highlight is Steve Ross himself! "My favourite moments throughout our run have definitely been on the nights that Steve Ross went rogue. Steve has had a few shows where someone in the audience sets him off and that person is lucky enough to receive a stern talking to from Mr. Ross... it's happened twice while I was standing frozen at centre stage in the scene before Touch-a-Touch-Me. It's gold. "

Roberts will always remember the audience members who dressed up for each show. "I knew we'd get SOME over the season, but every single show, there are so many great costumes, and people who had clearly been prepping and planning for so long. To them I say thank you, THANK YOU, because you truly make us feel like rock stars. "

Krissa has enjoyed the entire experience. "I've never laughed so much in my life. Keeping it together and not laughing when Dan [Chameroy, a.k.a. Frank N. Furter] gets up to his antics has been a bit of a struggle. He only made me break once and I maintain that it was ENTIRELY his fault." [Author's note: I was at that performance, and it was indeed entirely Chameroy's fault].

Kovarik points out that part of what makes the experience so special is that "each show is different in some little way." She adds: "This show has attracted new audiences to the Stratford Festival and they have embraced the ROCKY HORROR culture. SO FUN!"

With just 17 performances remaining before the final Time Warp is danced, it is clear that this show has meant a great deal to everyone involved. The cast was asked to reflect on what their ROCKY HORROR journey has meant to them....

Eric Abel: This journey has been so interesting. Coming into the rehearsal process, we knew that it was a cult classic, and that there was a very loyal fan base. However, I don't think any of us imagined that it would be received this well, especially in a place like Stratford, which is synonymous with classical Shakespearean theatre. From young to old, super fans to virgins, shy to wild people - they are all coming to the show, and then coming back with even more friends and family. It doesn't matter who or what you are, you are welcome at The Rocky Horror Show, and you can be whoever you want to be and have a blast while doing it!

Colton Curtis: I think the most exciting thing about the entire Rocky journey has been the people that have come to see it. People from far and wide have entered the Avon Theatre and participated in our crazy show. It's exciting to see their reactions. Some are obviously nostalgic, while others are experiencing Rocky for the first time! It's exciting to be a part of history - and also to bring a part of history back to life for so many people

Bethany Kovarik: It's true when we say, "Don't dream it, be it." It really has created a reality for me that is not just a dream. Be who you want to be. Show up in the world the way that feels right for you, and live with love, passion and purpose.

George Krissa: Rocky has meant a lot to me. It's my Stratford debut and I've been working toward being here for a really long time. To be honest, I never thought I would be making my debut in a leopard speedo but life's full of surprises! It's truly an experience that I will never, ever forget and I'm so unbelievably grateful to share a stage with a cast that I have such tremendous respect for.

Jennifer Rider-Shaw: Part of what has been so special about Rocky is the crowd that it has attracted - specifically among the locals. I think for a lot of locals in Stratford they might feel that the festival isn't accessible, a lot of them have never been to the theatre, but Rocky has created such buzz that it's made everyone join in. It's so much fun to see the feathers and glitter floating around outside the theatre after our show. We really feel like we are a part of something special and memorable and we are all so grateful to be here.

Sayer Roberts: [The journey has meant...] So much - and in very unexpected ways. I was not very familiar with the show or the movie, and I'd never had a particular connection to it. So I came to it as an open book, ready to absorb everything about this show and what it means to so many people. The messages it offers, the love, the acceptance - that's been the greatest journey to go on. It's not just a flashy, quirky show with big characters and fun tunes. It's a real love letter to anyone searching for who they are, for anyone who just wants to say "here I am, this is me, I love it, and you will too."

Steve Ross: I'm so very proud to be a part of this show. It's one of the most challenging things I've ever done.....at the Festival or anywhere. It's different every single night and it's been a true pleasure to perform it all season. What a ride!!

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW continues at The Stratford Festival's Avon Theatre until December 2nd. Don't dream it...SEE IT!

Photo Credit: Cylla von Tiedemann

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