Mid Hudson Valley Theater Blog: The Rocky Horror Show

I'm excited - not that I'll be trying out for this show -there's not really a role for me, but I'll most likely be helping out as assistant director.

Audition info for Trinity Players Rocky Horror Show peforming at the Cunneen-Hackett Arts Center October 19, 20, 21, 26, and 27, 2007.

Auditions will be held June 1, 3, 4 from 6-9PM

All State Insurance Office
696 Dutchess Turnpike
Poughkeepsie, NY 12603

Contact: Phillip Corso (director) 845-452-2830

No appointment necessary. Vocal selections and accompanist will be provided at auditions

Roles to be cast:

Usherette- (Alto, Female 20's-40's) Sings "Science Fiction" at the beginning and end of the show.
Narrator- (Non-singing role) Could be played by a male or female. People auditioning for this role will only have to read and will not be required to sing.
Brad- (Tenor, Male 20's-30's) The Hero
Janet- (Soprano, Female 20's-30's) The Heroine
Riff-Raff- (Tenor, Male 20's-40's) Servant
Magenta- (Alto, Female 20's-40's) Servant
Columbia- (Alto, Female 20's-30's) A groupie
Frank-N-Furter- (Tenor, Male 20's-40's) A Sweet Transvestite from Transsexual Transylvania...
Rocky- (Tenor, Male 20's-30's) Should be physically fit (bodybuilder, swimmer, or gymnast, etc.)
Eddie/Dr. Scott- (Baritone, Traditionally Male 20's-40's) This is a double role, Nephew and Uncle.
4 Phantoms (2 men, 2 women)- (20's-30's) Sexy singers and dancers... in this production the phantoms will be in S&M costumes.

*** Due to the nature of the costumes and subject matter of the show, all actors must be 18+ years of age

About the Show: The Rocky Horror Show is a long running stage musical (opening in London initially, on June 19, 1973) that inspired the movie The Rocky Horror Picture Show. It was written by Richard O'Brien, who returned to his native England after growing up in New Zealand. The musical was developed by O'Brien in collaboration with Australian theatre director Jim Sharman, who had already gained extensive experience directing rock musicals with the groundbreaking Australian productions of Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar. (more)

Plot Synopsis: The theatre usherette introduces us to tonight's film: a sci-fi double feature. And so the film begins. Commentary is provided throughout the show by the Narrator, who expands on plot information and acts to drive the story onwards.

Janet and Brad, a young couple, become engaged on attending a friend's wedding. Driving home through a torrential downpour, their car breaks down and they are forced to seek refuge from the storm in an old mansion house. The inhabitants of the house are highly unconvential: the "sweet transvestite", Frank'N'Furter, his gothic servants (Riff Raff and Magenta) and girlfriend (Columbia).

Frank'N'Furter exhibits his current laboratory specimen to the newcomers: Rocky, who is destined to become Frank's sexual plaything. Upon interruption from Columbia's ex boyfriend, who is murdered by Frank, the household retires to bed.

During the night, both Brad and Janet experience a sexual awakening at the hands of Frank'N'Furter. As a result, Janet sleeps with Rocky. Eddie's uncle, Dr. Everrett Scott also arrives, seeking him. Frank is revealed as an 'alien'. In the resulting confusion, all parties are drugged by Frank'N'Furter and compelled to perform in his 'floor show', a celebration of hedonism.

The 'floor show' culminates in the murder of Frank by his servants, who wish to return to their home planet. Blasting off from Earth, they leave behind Brad, Janet and Dr. Scott in a state of bewilderment, but sexually awakened.

Broadway Production: The Rocky Horror Show originally went on Broadway in 1975 with the Roxy cast from Los Angeles, except for Graham Jarvis who was replaced by William Newman, and Bruce Scott who was replaced by author Richard O'Brien himself. It opened March 10th at the Belasco Theatre. "We did a week of sold-out previews to audiences who loved it," said Kim Milford (Rocky). "Then opening night, the critics sat there in silence and looked at us like we just crawled out from under a rock." The critics trashed the show and it closed after 45 performances.

The Rocky Horror Show had a short revival on Broadway from October 2000 to January 2002 and featured Tom Hewitt, rock singers Joan Jett and Sebastian Bach (from October 2001 to January 2002), funny lady Lea DeLaria, and Daphne Rubin-Vega of Rent fame. From October 2001 to January 2002, several guest celebrities played the narrator role normally performed by Dick Cavett, including magicians Penn & Teller, New York Post columnist Cindy Adams, MTV personality Dave Holmes, and talk show host Jerry Springer among others. It is suggested that the revival, like other shows running at the time, closed early because of financial losses during the time after 9/11.