I’M TRYING TO EXPLORE THE OBSESSED, COMPULSIVE
FETISHIST WHO HAPPENS TO ALSO BE A MAD SCIENTIST, BENT ON POSSESSING THE
POWER AND KNOWLEDGE OF LIFE ITSELF.”
little naughty, a hilarious classic with one fantastic rock and roll score. Wearing your actor’s hat, how do you prepare for such an iconic role such as the cult classic, Dr. Frank ‘N’ Furter? Preparing for any iconic role is both a great deal
of fun and an intimidating process. Roles such as Henry Higgins, Don Quixote, Sweeney Todd and Frank ‘N’ Furter became iconic both from the writing and the unforgettable performances by the actors who created the roles. Some of these performances are just part of the collective knowl- edge of the roles. It’s very difficult to find a video recording of Richard Kiley (Don Quixote) in Man of La Mancha, but we all seem to know exactly how he played it even if we had never seen him play it. Or we do have film capturing these performances, i.e. Joel Grey in Cabaret, Rex Harrison in My Fair Lady, or Tim Curry in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. There is a certain amount of recognition of these icons and learning from these actors about how to play these roles that you start with... one begins there. Then after a lot of study, analysis and dreaming, you depart from the expected and begin to bring in more of your personal perspectives and instincts. Build upon the icons and dig hard to find new and surprising moments that come from your experience. Is your approach in the role of Dr. Frank ‘N’ Furter different now, than from when you played the role at the SDRep? I had never had as much fun on stage, as when I
was lucky enough to play it for the SDRep. It was very campy and of course, over the top when I did it the first time and I wanted another stab at it. I had different models in my mind as I worked on the role back then: Bette Midler, Judy Garland and dare I say, Jo Anne Worley? It made for a lot of prancing and diva-ness. Not particularly overly naughty, just
naughty enough. Now, I am approaching him more like a role vs. an
icon. I’m trying to explore the obsessed, compulsive fetishist who happens to also be a mad scientist, bent on possessing the power and knowledge of life itself. He’s a power fanatic and one with a dangerously huge ego. His extreme lifestyle makes him almost a super-Bond villain, bent on taking over the world and universe, imposing absolute pleasure on its inhabitants. It’s Bette Midler, Judy Garland, Freddie Mercury and a little sad Boy George thrown in. What are some of the challenges and opportuni- ties for this show in such an intimate theatre? The original show played in a 64-seat house, for
what was supposed to be a three-week run. No one thought this little show, would turn into the global success that it did. I am returning to the roots of the show and am performing it minus the huge chorus, as it was originally conceived. We are going back to that little, campy show. I love the immersive experience of Cygnet, from the moment you walk in the theatre. The pre-show activities set the mood so well when I think of Cabaret, A Christmas Carol, etc., it really is infectious and delightful. How are you setting the mood for Rocky…? Well, some of the audience will be at the show knowing what to expect from it...Others not so much. We are not trying to create the atmosphere found at the midnight movie theaters around town, although prop bags will be for sale at our concession stand. We get everybody excited for the show and welcome “virgins,” and help explain some of the rules of engagement (i.e. no throwing things, etc.). There will undoubtedly be audience participation
and we’ve been preparing for that. It’s going to be unexpected and unpredictable every night. But, this isn’t the movie and that comes as a surprise to the diehards, who come expecting to recite the
danny hansen, amy perkins, jacob caltrider, sean murray photo by ken Jacques
Rocky Horror Show liturgy. The pace of the film is quite slow, which allows for those responses and one-liners. The pace of the musical is that of a rock concert, with some little scenes between the songs. There isn’t time for the one-liners in most cases. Audiences will be pleasantly surprised that the rock musical is full of surprises, even those who’ve seen the movie hundreds of times. Is there a favorite scene, line, performer you take particular joy in seeing? All of the performers, each one is so great. The
show is built solidly around those performers who are creating it. If one doesn’t want carbon copies of the original actors, all of whom can be seen for the most part in the film, it takes the comedy, wit and imagination of the cast to reinvent the show again. And, this cast is up to the job. I am so excited that Bets Malone finally made her way to your theatre. What a talent! Bets and I did Annie together at Starlight Opera
in the early ‘80s. We’ve finally been able to get together on stage again. It’s been a long time since my Rooster kidnapped her Orphan Annie! For those of us filled with “An-tici-pation,” can you tease the audience with some fun Frank ‘N’ Furter wardrobe facts? I wear a size 12 women’s shoes. My heels are five
and six inches high depending on the outfit. And yes, I am practicing in them, but not out and about town…Yet.
Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show runs Thursday, March 10 through Sunday, May 1 at Cygnet Theatre in Old Town. For tickets and more information, call 619.337.1525 or go to
cygnettheatre.com.
Out Night for the LGBT Community is on Wednesday, March 23, featuring a pre-show mixer , a Rocky Horror character costume contest, with prizes and featuring LIPS hostesses!
MARCH 2016 | RAGE monthly 51
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64