The iconic cult-classic musical “The Rocky Horror Show” first time-warped its way into the public eye more than 50 years ago, and it’s had a devoted following ever since. With the recent death of star Tim Curry, a local production is honoring his legacy while giving the show a more modern touch.
K and E Theater Group will present its production of “The Rocky Horror Show” at 33 Hawley in Northampton on Oct. 16-18 and Oct. 22-24.
The cast includes David Wallace (Dr. Frank-N-Furter), Violet Falkowski (Riff Raff), Alyssa Burgwinkel (Magenta), Christopher Morey (Brad Majors), Rachel Lamarre (Janet Weiss), Rachel Wolk (Columbia), Nicco Palazzi (Rocky), Kelly Gagner (Eddie and Dr. Scott), as well as Gaia Ciano, Jennie Coletta, Nicki Elledge-Hickey, Kaihla A. Laurent, Lyndsey Raucher, Brendon Rogers, Griffin Ross and Mena Wyman (all Phantoms). Four drag queens — Magnolia Masquerade, Felicity V. Lay, Dame Judi Dentures and Zella Cullatore — will alternate the role of the Narrator at different performances.
“I have not found a professional recording that is vocally better than what this cast is doing,” Wallace said. “This cast [has] some phenomenal singers — oh, my goodness. If people are interested in seeing the show because of the music, they need to know that this is going to be the best-sounding production that they will ever have the opportunity to see.”
The hit musical, known to most audiences through its 1975 film adaptation “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” is about two young sweethearts, Brad Majors and Janet Weiss, who accidentally find themselves at the castle of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a mad scientist and self-described “sweet transvestite” from the planet of Transylvania. When they arrive, they get to meet Frank’s newest creation, a “muscle man” named Rocky — Frank’s personal boy toy. Without spoiling the rest of the story, suffice it to say there’s murder, adultery and lots of camp.
“‘Rocky Horror’ in October — what’s better?” said director and choreographer Eddie Zitka.
This production, however, isn’t a one-to-one copy of the movie. Zitka was inspired by the 2000 Broadway revival, so fans who only know the onscreen story can expect to hear a few new songs. There are also other changes to the movie’s familiar costuming and props: for instance, Eddie rides in on a scooter, not a motorcycle; Columbia doesn’t have red hair; Rocky doesn’t wear gold underwear; and Dr. Frank-N-Furter is blonde. The visual aesthetic, Zitka said, leans toward “leather and neon and bondage and kink.”
Another key difference is that audience members can’t bring in props. It’s a tradition among “Rocky Horror” fans at movie screenings or shadowcast shows (where performers act out the movie live as it plays behind them) to interact with the movie through callbacks, which are punchy lines in response to something that happens onscreen. They often use props at key moments, such as shining a flashlight or throwing toilet paper.
Those are nixed for this show simply because they’d create problems for cleanup and for the actors’ safety. Instead, audiences are encouraged to engage with the show through callbacks and applause. Still, Zitka teased, “Some of the things that the audience normally loves prop-wise, the roles just might get a little reversed.”
Though the musical is a longstanding cult classic — the movie celebrated its 50th anniversary last year — this production has a particular timeliness. Tim Curry, who originated the role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, died on Aug. 25. There is an homage to him in the show, and Wallace, who plays Frank, opted to incorporate elements of Curry’s performance while still making the character his own.
Wallace’s Frank is, at some points, “more real” and “more human” than other interpretations of the character, he said, with “a blend of a little more strength, a little more demand, a little more masculinity” than Curry’s version. “I feel like, my character, there is no doubt that if anyone crossed me, they’re squashed.”
Wallace had played the character before at a fundraiser gala years ago, but it was only a few songs, “and then everyone gets back to bidding on stuff and having drinks.” At 49, Wallace is 22 years older than Curry was when he originated the role, so he was surprised when he got cast as Frank.
“‘What do you mean, man? … Are you sure?’” Wallace recalled saying to Zitka. “And he’s like, ‘It’s attitude. It’s personality. It’s nothing to do with age at all.’”
Though Wallace is a longtime fan of the movie, he’d never seen a live production, or even a shadowcast, of “Rocky Horror,” so he was unfamiliar with how the show’s callbacks and fourth-wall breaks would work.
“I had to really dig deep into some YouTube videos to find what the heck is gonna be going on. What am I really into here?” he said with a laugh. “After doing so, I can’t wait. What an unbelievable opportunity.”
Tickets to “The Rocky Horror Show” are $30.54 at ketg.org.
