Oakland celebrates cult film with rendition
The Jambar
Issue date: 10/29/09 Section: Arts & Entertainment
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"The Rocky Horror Show" was originally written for the stage by Richard O'Brien in 1973. It was then adapted to film as "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" in 1975 and immediately became a cult classic. The story follows a young engaged couple, Janet Weiss and Brad Majors, when they get a flat tire and take shelter from a rainstorm in the castle of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a scientist. Little did they know the night would be filled with aliens, gender-bending and sex.
The movie is usually shown publicly around Halloween. The tradition of participation, including throwing props, screaming responses and dancing, dates back to 1976. Audiences have been dressing up as their favorite characters and have brought numerous props to the movie like rice, water pistols, toast and hot dogs.
The Oakland decided to do things a little differently. Director Robert Joki decided to take on a whole new concept for the show, based on the classic script for the stage.
"Think if aliens came to the USA and saw people dressed like Gwen Stefani, Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie and tried to mimic them. What would they come up with? Kinda like the outside looking in," Joki explained.
The main goal of the performance is to be completely different than the movie.
"How do you mimic and do justice to such iconic performances?" Joki asked.
The answer: Shatter molds. The character of Dr. Scott, usually played by a man, will be played by a woman, Geri DeWitt. The character Columbia, played by Molly Makselan, will be a spin-off of Lil Kim. She will be rapping some of her songs that are usually sung. The iconic Dr. Frank-N-Furter will be played by Joki wearing a white mohawk.
The cast is excited for audiences to see the new concept of this classic show.
"His visions are really out there, and they are a lot harder for him to explain in words. Whatever you picture, multiply it by three and that's Rob's vision," said Shawn Lockaton, who plays Riff Raff.
Alyssa Connelly will play the quiet, shy Janet Weiss; she is excited to be part of such a project.
"I wasn't allowed to watch the movie when I was a little kid. I guess that's why I was so obsessed with it. And now I'm a part of it and it's so much fun," she said.
Other cast members include Richard Marrow as Rocky, Nicole Zayas as the Narrator and Melissa Cook as Magenta.
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Mms
posted 11/01/09 @ 8:35 PM EST
The Rocky Horror Picture Show is one of the best and funniest shows I have ever seen. Normally by the time of the performance I am bored with it but to be honest its just like I walked in there yesterday. (Continued…)
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