From show to movie and back to show. The cult 1975 movie Rocky Horror Picture Show is on Broadway at the Roundabout Theatre Company at Studio 54. Directed by Jim Sharman, the film found its niche and as a cult favorite, has been showing somewhere in movie theaters for years, usually at midnight with its patrons dressing up to participate. To use old-fashioned parlance, attending The Rocky Horror Picture Show has always been a “happening." The audience often dresses up, gathers items to throw at the screen and even practices their dialogue. The movie was interactive before interactive became popular.
In fact, the eagerness of the audience to participate created a problem for the producers of the new musical. How could the show keep the interaction at a healthy level with cheering and responding when encouraged but not interfering with the actors. “Remember this is a live performance” the signs in the lobby remind the audience.
In a spoof of 50’s and 60’s movies, the show begins with the movie theater usher (Juliet Lewis) singing “Science Fiction Double Feature” about the old movies starring actors many in the audience probably never heard of. What this does, too, is emphasize that there is a science fiction aspect to the story, one which becomes apparent later.
As the Narrator, Rachel Dratch is a wise, scientific and professional character. She offers a dry, but humorous commentary on the action, letting the audience know when it's okay to participate.
A young, engaged couple, Brad (Andrew Durand) and Janet (Stephanie Hsu) are on their way to visit their former college professor, when the car breaks down in the woods. They trudge through the pouring rain to a scary-looking house, hoping to find a telephone.
When Brad and Janet are introduced in the movie, the audience calls out them names. I wondered how our audience would behave, especially since the row of guys in front of us came dressed like bikers in leather and chains. But it was 7 pm on a Friday night, maybe too early to be too crazy. (They were well-behaved as was the rest of the audience, only responding when the narrator encouraged us.)
Once Brad and Janet enter the house, they realize something is amiss. The house is awesome but frightening (scenic design by dots). Both conservative, they are stripped of their wet clothes and taken aback by the outrageous clothing (Costumes-David I. Reynoso) and the shockingly loose attitude of Dr. Frank. N. Furter (Luke Evans) and his minions, Riff-Raff, (impressive Amber Gray) and Magenta (Juliet Lewis) Columbia, Eddie, and Rocky.
Furter says they are just in time and introduces them to the super specimen of a man he has created, (Boy Rando in the performance I attended.) Shades of Frankenstein’s monster! Brad and Jane lose their inhibitions and virginity, both with Furter. In the meantime, there’s flamboyant costuming and frenzied dancing (Choreography by Ani Taj.)
Luke Evans is a marvel as the charismatic Dr. Frank N. Furter. He is imposing and made taller by the heels he’s wearing. Androgynous Evans is magnetic, especially in his black bustier corset, a costume worthy of the MET gala. As his helpers and later his planet-mates, Gray and Lewis, are a surprise, both performing roles different from usual. Gray manages to sound raspy, especially during “The Time Warp” and Lewis delights with the opening number.
The cast is outstanding. Durand and Hsu are fun to watch. Hsu grows vocally stronger as the musical progresses and shows her comedic side as well. It’s delightful watching Brad’s repression transform to excess. The two together have good chemistry.
The book, music and lyrics are all by Richard O’Brien who created the cult musical in the 1970’s. At age 84, O’Brien is still working. This queer show has the distinction of being ahead of its time with its sexuality and gender bending. O’Brien’s characters are unique and they revel in their quirkiness and sexuality.
The Rocky Horror Show is unadulterated fun, but the key word is adult. It’s edgy, was ahead of its time, and may not be family or tourist fare. Fans of the movie will be thrilled but will leave their children home. Meanwhile the rest of us will delight in the spectacle director Sam Pinkleton has created for us.
