By George Basler
Ti-Ahwaga Community Players Inc. was looking for something a little bit different to open its 2022-23 season. And The Rocky Horror Show fit the bill, said Ryan Canavan, who is directing the production, which opens Friday (Sept. 30) at the Owego playhouse.
The rock musical, which has achieved cult classic status since it opened in London in 1973, is noted for its B movie dialogue, pulsating score, over-the-top spectacle, audience participation and — last but not least — racy sexuality.
“It’s something we don’t usually do here,” Canavan said, noting that the musical retains its outrageousness even after nearly 50 years.
The show is the work of Richard O’Brien, who reportedly wrote the music, lyrics and book when he was out of work one winter. In his youth, O’Brien had been a passionate fan of science fiction and B horror movies and wanted to wed this passion to the rock ‘n’ roll music of the 1950s and 1960s. Another influence was the “glam rock” movement that was popular in Britain at the 1970s (remember David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust).
While lambasted by some conventional critics, the show was immediately embraced by a counterculture audience and was a smash hit in London. The Rocky Horror Show has played on six continents and had both London and Broadway revivals.
The musical also spawned a 1975 movie, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, that has become an off-beat favorite, known for its celebrated midnight screenings in which audience members, dressed as their favorite characters, yell out dialogue, mimic scenes in the film and throw toast at the screen.
Canavan describes the musical as “an outrageous comedy with up-tempo songs.” The plot centers on sweethearts Brad (Isaac Weber) and Janet (Eleri Rodrigues) who, waylaid by a flat tire during a rainstorm, discover the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (H. Scot Saggiomo), a flamboyant transvestite scientist.
In the mansion, they meet a household of wild characters, including a rock ‘n’ roll biker and creepy butler. As the evening progresses, Brad and Janet shed their inhibitions and embrace the wildness around them.
“The whole story is wrapped up in a single summary: It’s 1950s science fiction about sexual awakening,” Canavan said.
The theme means the show has a lot of passionate and lustful moments, he added, noting that the production’s choreographer, Andy Bailey, has incorporated burlesque style movements into popular 1950s- and 1960s-style dances.
Saggiomo said he was attracted to playing Dr. Frank-N-Furter because the character is so unique. The key is “to lean into the outrageousness,” he added.
The Rocky Horror Show was one of the first popular musicals to depict fluid sexuality. It conveys powerful messages about gender identity and sexual identity, Saggiomo said.
“This has helped with its staying power. People who are marginalized can identify with it,” he added.
Amidst the outrageousness, Canavan and the 13 cast members have worked to discover something fresh in the show. “We’ve found a few tender moments,” the director said. “That’s not typical in the other productions I’ve seen.”
What is typical in the Ti-Ahwaga production is a chance for audience participation. At certain points in the show, spectators will be able to shout out comments and even heckle the cast.
It’s a ritual after all. But, because the show is live, throwing things will be off limits, Canavan said.
IF YOU GO: Ti-Ahwaga Community Players will present The Rocky Horror Show weekends from Sept. 30 to Oct. 16. Friday and Saturday performances are at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. at the Ti-Ahwaga Performing Arts Center, 42 Delphine St., Owego. Tickets at $25 and $30 may be purchased at www.tiahwaga.com or by calling the box office at 607-687-2130.
Due to the content of the production, including, but not limited to, sexual themes and profanity, any patrons 17 and younger are recommended to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Audience discretion is advised.
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