A caveat: I am no virgin. I have seen The Rocky Horror Picture Show 76 times, including four times at the famed 8th Street Playhouse in the East Village of New York City. As a teenager, I played Brad a few times in the stage show at the local run-down movie theatre of my youth in New Rochelle. I have the four CD set, including the "Audience Par...tici......pation" album. I know what's white and tastes good on cornflakes. Therefore, Circle in the Square's production of Richard O'Brien's original The Rocky Horror Show, in which Director Christopher Ashley allows for the audience to shout the pre- and responses established over so many years by fans of the movie such as I at the stage performers, seems destined to be a hit. Ah, but here's the other caveat: how will the live performers fill the pumps of such luminaries as Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Charles Grey, and Little Nell? Mr. Ashley has left that to his actors, which is why this production succeeds and doesn't all at once. By mixing the comfortably familiar with the new take, Mr. Ashley has created a fun evening that's going to be a blast for virgins or the only somewhat initiated, and an evening of the disconcerting for die-hards.
How do you explain the campy and sexy musical homage to 1950s B-movies that is Rocky Horror? You don't. Just rent the movie, or see the slightly truncated version playing on VH-1 almost monthly. It's been around for over 25 years. Instead, let's have you explain why you don't already know it, virgin!
Leading man Tom Hewitt, when asked how he would fill the teddy of Curry, remarked that he's dyed his hair blonde, making his changes "from the outside out." It's true that he does embrace the choices of the iconic Curry, but he's right in admitting that those choices were already perfect. Mr. Hewitt also brings a great mix of wit and energy that is definitely his own. Also going with the familiar are Alice Ripley and Jarrod Emick as Janet "Slut" Weiss" and Brad "Asshole" Majors, although Ms. Ripley moves away from the happy homemaker to the peppy cheerleader for Janet, and Mr. Emick does not cover Brad's latent homosexuality as strongly.
From there, characters become more of the domain of the actors portraying them. Dick Cavett does nothing to be anything other than Dick Cavett, the charmingly ironic leftist commentator persona he has carefully cultivated. The choice is brilliant. Mr. Ashley's casting is masterful, and Mr. Cavett is one of the biggest surprises and best things of the evening. Brother and sister servant team Riff Raff and Magenta, Raul Esparza and Daphne Rubin-Vega, are now a creepy heroin addict and a spitfire Puerto Rican, good choices, both. Sebastian LaCause's creature, Rocky, is better than the movie if only because he's an actual character.
The biggest departures, and subsequently the most interesting theatrical choices, come from rock idol Joan Jett as a punk Columbia, and Lea DeLaria's gender-blind casting as rocker Eddie and scientist Dr. Scott. Ms. Jett is curiously flat in her role, though she brings a menacing twist and excellent guitar riff to her character. Ms. DeLaria's choice seems driven more by "shock therapy" publicity than text, and the roles suffer accordingly, save during Eddie's big musical number, when she gets a chance to shine.
Jerry Mitchell's choreography is frenetic and appropriate with the production. David Rockwell's mad scientist set is a hoot, and Paul Gallo's lighting is fitting of this rock spectacle. David C. Woolard's costumes are a mixed bag, combining sexy with downright ostentatious, doing as much as possible to avoid the movie.
While the audience is encouraged to interact as often as possible with the show, by the second act, the pacing has become so fast as to make spectators of those who wanted to join in. Still, for a fan such as I, it was still a rocking evening, and my companion, a casual acquaintance of the movie who had her doubts coming in, definitely enjoyed herself throughout. Virgins and pros alike should prepare to be shocked, as it's going to be a very bumpy ride.
Production Details:
The Rocky Horror Show Book,
Music and Lyrics by Richard O'Brien
Jordan Roth, Producer
Circle in the Square Theatre, New York City
(800) 432-7250
www.RockyHorrorLive.com