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Theatre:
The Rocky Horror Show :
303 Collective Accents the
'Alternative' on a Camp Classic
"Jesus Christ, can you just shut up? I'm trying to watch a #%)@ piece of theatre here! This is not the 'Life of Brian', people!" - Culture critic Lester Bangs, Reviewing the 'Rocky Horror Picture Show'
When
the cult classic The Rocky Horror Show first made its debut on
the West End of London's Theatrical District, the campy production
served as the perfect metaphor for the 'glitter age' of the 1970s.
An antithesis to the big budget Broadway
peace 'n love hippie vibe of Hair, Rocky took the androgynous,
ambi-sexual, and Sci-Fi musical elements of early Glam Rockers like
David Bowie, Marc Bolan, and Kiss and melded the music
to a storyline celebrating sexual freedom through the liberation of
repressed libidos worldwide.
It also gave former Saginaw musician
Meatloaf his first big crack at stardom; and to top it all off,
propelled Creem Magazine rock critic Lester Bangs to scribe
perhaps the shortest review in literary history, due to the fact that
both the play & film often propelled audiences to dress in drag as their
favorite characters and re-enact segments of the storyline, hurtling
objects, shooting water pistols, and making noise at certain pivotal
moments, creating a theatrical experience not unlike watching Mystery Science Theatre 3000 on speed.
Given it's storied roots, it is entirely
fitting that the 303 Collective is busy taking its own stab at
this transitional piece of alternative art that actually carved its way
into mainstream consciousness. Located at 303 Adams at
Niagara in Old Town Saginaw, the group will be presenting
performances of Rocky Horror on August 17, 18, 20, 25, 27
at 8:00 PM along with special 'midnight' performances on
August 19 & 26.
To the unitiated, The Rocky Horror
Show is a musical spook spoof that dissects and splices together
opposing elements of Sci-Fi, Musicals, and Horror films by telling the
tale of Brad & Janet (Paul Kostrzewa and Natalie Myers)
who get a flat tire on a late rainy night and decide to stop off at a
nearby castle to use the residents' phone and call for help. What they
don't realize is that the residents consist of transsexual Dr. Frank 'N
Furter (Caitlin Berry) and trusted servant Riff Raff (Brian
Bateson) and a ragtag group of fellow 'Transylvanians' that have
their own plans for the hapless stranded duo over the course of the
evening.
Directed by Stasi Schaeffer, who
last directed The Median and Suor Angelica at Pit &
Balcony, the 303 production cast also consists of Deena Nicol,
Kristyn Hemmingway, Steve Webb, Todd Berner, Honesty Elliott, Samantha
Whetsone, Scott Warnke and Brian Collver.
Given the strong musical score of Rocky Horror, replete with the audience participation dance
The Time Warp, this production also features musical director
Noel Howland and a live five-piece band including members of
Barbarossa and drummer Bill Silverthorn.
Insofar as she is dealing with such an
iconoclastic play, considered avant garde for the time, what are Stasi's
thoughts about directing Rocky Horror 30 years down the timeline?
"I think that the endurance of Rocky
over the decades have proven its not just a cult classic, but a classic
musical," she reflects. "The challenge exists in restating it. Everybody
knows Rocky Horror and is coming with an expectation in their
mind. Most people have seen the film, at least part of it, at least
once, so they have an 'image' in their mind."
"We're not recreating it, so if you want
that, you should rent the movie. Having said this, we're also not
changing the context or the music, but putting a modern twist on it and
bringing in this group of actors that will make each of their characters
different. The only thing specific to the movie is the actual steps to
the 'Time Warp', because let's face it, that's something you don't want
to change. But everything else is new, different, and fresh - our own
interpretation. Essentially, we've modernized it and made it our own."
Perhaps one of the most unique 'twists'
in this production of Rocky Horror is the fact that Dr. Frank 'N
Furter (played by Tim Curry) in the film, is being channeled
through the estimable talents of actress/singer Caitlin Berry, whom is certainly no stranger to theatrical
& musical circles in the tri-cities.
"This is kind of a Victor/Victoria thing
for me," laughs Berry when asked about the challenges of getting in
deeper touch with her androgynous side. "I'm actually looking forward to
this because it's by far the most bizarre role I've undertaken. I
haven't seen the film in about 10 years, but Tim Curry's voice is still
in my head and I'm trying hard to do things differently. I'm working
with the lower registers of my voice, so right now it's a little bit
butch and a little bit vanity queen, but I'm still working on perfecting
it."
"Caitlin is a powerhouse," comments Stasi,
"and she's an amazing singer and actress. I don't use those terms
lightly. Most people that have seen her sing don't see her other
dynamics come through. Plus she's a great dancer to top it all off. Who
better to play this role, really?
I think she brings it all into focus. She has that edginess to her which is what the character needs. Mainly what I hope for is that all the actors have fun with this show. What makes it a gas is that they're all having fun, able to perform, but enjoy themselves at something they love."
As for the remaining cast members, Stasi
looked at people she's worked with over the years in both musicals and
more challenging shows.
"I put a lot of thought into the cast
before we even started," she explains. "I've worked with great
performers over the past few years I've been directing, and Paul and
Natalie are the perfect ingénue couple. Who better to play Brad & Janet?
Natalie is going off to school after the run of the show, so this is
special for her."
"Deena Nicol is also a great
performer and we have two new people, Brian Bateson as Riff Raff,
has never performed before and is doing an excellent job, and Honesty
Elliott has worked in opera at Pit & Balcony. I coerced her into the
role and its great to see her take 'baby steps' into the theatre."
When asked about how the show 'holds up'
over the years, Caitlin is quick to comment: "I think it's freaky enough
to be timeless. It has that element of the '70s portraying how they '50s
were, which is a historical transition point in a way. Nobody should
ever redo the movie, but the play should be tweaked over and over, and
the beauty is that it possesses the latitude to do that."
Another set of surprises for audiences
will exist with the set designs. Marc Beaudin designed the set
and serves as Technical Director. So what vision did he have for the
visual settings on this incarnation of Rocky Horror?
"Well, the basic concept is the idea that
people came from this other planet that are insane sex fiends and aliens
trying to hide out and make their house look like a 'normal' home. But
they fail miserably because they're suck freaks from outer space and
can't do anything without their sexuality pouring all over it.
Consequently, a lot of the imagery and symbolism in the sets will be
very sexual. I will say that some 'machinery' is being made and
constructed - a 'sex machine', but not the James Brown version," laughs
Marc.
"Another thing is that in addition to a
play this is kind of a rock concert, so a lot of the lighting will be
rock oriented. Plus we're staging it in an area double the normal size,
which will increase our seating capacity. We've also got risers now, so
we won't experience some of the seating problems we've had in the past
with performances."
Doors for all performances will open 30
minutes before the event. Admission is $10.00 for adults and
$8.00 for students. For reservations please call the 303 Hotline
at 989-980-7746. Inquiries to the 303 may be directed to
the303collective@yahoo.com
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