Grand Theatre hosts 'The Rocky Horror Show'
By Makenzie Prewitt • Published October 10, 2018 • Filed under Arts and Entertainment • 0 Comments
The Grand Theatre production of "The Rocky Horror Show" features Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a mad scientist and leader of the Transylvanians on Earth. (Steve Speckman)
Ready to do the time warp again?
This week, the Grand Theatre at the Salt Lake Community College brings the cult classic, "The Rocky Horror Show" to the stage this Halloween Season.
"Those who attend 'Rocky Horror' will find it to be quite the memorable experience," says Breezy Bassett, SLCC's theatre manager.
"The Rocky Horror Show" takes after the musical by Richard O'Brien, which puts a newly engaged couple, Brad and Janet, through a series of misadventures with an alien transvestite scientist, Dr. Frank-N-Furter. The pair begin to question everything they've known about themselves and their relationship, all set to a lively rock-n-roll score.
"Even though it's not the movie, people expect the same level of interaction as is in the movie," says Bassett, referencing the 1975 cult classic starring Tim Curry.
In the Grand Theatre production of "The Rocky Horror Show," Brad and Janet's car breaks down, which inevitably leads them to the castle of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. (Steve Speckman)
"Rocky Horror" is not only shown on Broadway, but small indie movie theaters and community theaters as well. A unique tradition of this musical is that it's considered to be an interactive experience, where the audience is allowed to purchase props before the show or say wacky phrases during certain scenes.
Some typical props in the musical include things like tossing confetti in the air, wearing party hats, spraying water, taking cover under newspaper and throwing bread.
The audience is also prompted to callout specific lines like, "That's a rather tasteless joke." Playbill published The Virgin's Guide to Rocky Horror Callouts after the 2016 TV special was released, which provides a lot more lines for the audience to use. For example, after Janet asks, "Oh, what've you done with Brad?" audience members can shout out, "Nothing yet — he's saving the best for last."
Anyone who's unfamiliar with the musical might know the 1975 movie of almost the same title, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." The film was originally based on the musical written by O'Brien.
"It's basically the movie, nothing is really that different," says Bassett.
In the Grand Theatre production of "The Rocky Horror Show," Riff Raff is the hunchbacked butler who serves Dr. Frank-N-Furter. (Steve Speckman)
The musical was originally written by O'Brien as a tribute to second-rate horror movies in the 1940s through 1970s eras.
The Grand describes their production as "a wild ride that no audience will soon forget."
"The Rocky Horror Show" will be performed every Wednesday through Saturday through Oct. 27. Tickets range from $14-23, and can be bought on through the Grand Theatre box office.
In the Grand Theatre production of "The Rocky Horror Show," the cast surrounds Dr. Everett Scott, center, a rival scientific who searches for UFOs. (Steve Speckman)
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The Rocky Horror Show