Let’s do the time warp again
‘The Rocky Horror Show’ coming to the Savoy
Dust off your fishnet stockings — “The Rocky Horror Show” is coming to the Savoy Theatre at the end of the month.
The cult classic will be staged October 26 and 27 at 8 p.m., just in time for Halloween.
“Rocky Horror is one of those musicals that I’ve liked since I was very young,” says director Cynthia Lahey. “I think it’s the perfect mix of rock music, B horror films and just fun.”
While many are familiar with the 1975 film which is still in its initial release (it’s the longest running release in film history), it began as a musical in London’s west end in 1973. The science fiction/horror movie parody is perhaps best known for the mad scientist character Dr. Frank N. Furter, made famous by the late actor Tim Curry, who portrayed him as a high-heeled, corset-wearing transsexual. Lahey has given this pivotal character to a female, local actress MacKenzie Sechi and says she has no regrets about this decision.
“MacKenzie had come in for a different role and I said to her, please don’t take this as an insult but I’m wondering if you would mind coming back and singing as Frank,” said Lahey. “After she got over a little bit of shock, I think because she didn’t consider herself for the role, she came back very excited and very ready. She completely nailed her audition. In my opinion, she’s one of my favourite Franks that I have ever seen so I’m really happy with the choice. People are going to enjoy
a performance from her and it’s quite different from anything else that she’s done.”
Sechi, although still a high school student, has already starred in a variety of shows including “Heart of Steel,” “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” and “The Wizard of Oz.”
One of the biggest challenges of mounting the musical is that most people have seen the film and it is different from the stage version, says Lahey.
“So there’s things that they’re going to expect to see but simply don’t apply to the stage,” said
Lahey. “Like we can’t have Eddie ride in on a motorcycle realistically and rip around the Savoy stage - partially because it’s not the safest thing to do but also because when you get a musical script you have to follow what you’re given. And that’s not how Eddie actually enters the musical version. There are certain things that people get used to singing for the show and the songs might be slightly different than what they’re used to. The challenge is trying to marry people’s expectations with a new vibrant cover of a show.”
The production tends to be interactive and again, this has to be adapted. While theatre-goers are encouraged to dress up as characters, they can’t bring in their own items to throw at the stage. Instead, items will be available for purchase at the show.
“We’ve planned packages that work with the stage show. For
example, one of those items is a squirt gun - so obviously we have to regulate things like that.”
Lahey says she’s encouraged by early interest in the show and expects a good turnout.
“My sister and I were at Value Village a few days ago and we overheard some young women talking about whether or not they should go as Columbia or Magenta
so that’s very exciting that people are planning to interact,” she said.
“This is a different type of show for the Savoy theatre … I think that the cast and crew have really taken to it and are having fun with it. And I think that’s what makes for a good show.”