LPC theater director Dyan McBride took inspiration from the quote “This must be a hunting lodge for rich weirdos” using it as the foundation for what became a cult classic. McBride’s vision for the college’s fall production of Richard O’Brien’s “Rocky Horror Picture Show” stemmed from her own experiences with the show.
McBride went from watching the film as a teenager to performing as the character Magenta in the musical. She has worked with the LPC cast during rehearsal to discuss the relationships between characters and why the cast should care about them. This helped the actors connect with their characters and to portray them accurately.
“There was one rehearsal where I stayed 20 minutes late and just talked about the path my character takes, how it ends, how that could change… Like what it means overall for the story. But also have the guidance from the person that is controlling every creative aspect of it (the director). It is how I make my character,” said Michael Patin, who plays Brad.
Ella Bracken, who plays the lead, Janet, gets into character by placing herself into the character’s mind. Bracken began by asking herself the question ‘What would Janet do?’ to accurately portray her character. This includes dressing, talking or thinking like her Janet. This method helped Bracken bring the character to life.
‘Rocky Horror’ involves sexual interactions between actors. For this reason, LPC’s production team brought an intimacy coordinator to collaborate with actors involved to ensure the environment is safe and comfortable during the performance.
“We have an intimacy coordinator who we’ve worked with for this show as well of making it so it’s not uncomfortable, it’s just unusual and new for basically everybody and involved in it, so it’s a fun challenge and definitely the most challenging part about performing this character,” said Patin.
From the design team to the scene and costume shops, production for the show began at the start of the summer, taking three months of planning before stepping into the theater.
During this time, blueprints, set designs and costume preparation were developed. So, when rehearsals started, the team could start building and fitting costumes. McBride’s vision for the set has transformed its design into a space with Victorian details where the actors can tell their version of “Rocky Horror Picture Show.”
The classic,“The Rocky Horror Show,” was considered a theatrical flop following its premiere in London in 1973. The production was considered “weird” and “confusing,” given the show’s themes challenging social norms by promoting nontraditional expressions of gender and sexuality. In 1975, the film adaptation of the musical was released, becoming a cultural phenomenon and a hit among queer audiences.
Many viewers dressed up, danced along to the film, shouted lines and threw items at the screen, “it was all intended to merge viewer reality with the on-screen action.” The film that saved lives. The movie was queer-friendly and validated gender nonconforming characters during a time when LGBTQ+ representation was lacking.
In the LPC production, Frank-N-Furter will be played by Scout Del Real, a role that became iconic in queer cinema due to the character’s gender expression. As a transgender man, Del Real found his own connections to the character from his journey with embracing femininity.
“This is a man who is so confident with who he is that he can rock the fishnets, the corsets and curls. Getting the opportunity to play this role is so meaningful to me and my own personal journey,” Del Real said.
Stage manager Maxwell Deene found his vision for the show’s promotion of freedom and self-representation. He loves that “Rocky Horror” has become a space where everyone can come together to celebrate body positivity and sexuality.
Deene also appreciates that the actors feel comfortable with who they are in a unique and magical production. He loves the technical side of his job as stage manager because he gets to watch the show as it is being created.
“I love seeing the lights and the sound, and everything came together in the end, like the actors knowing all their lines and blocking, and just watching the show after all the months combined. Seeing that first run-through is the most magical thing in the world for me. That’s why I do my job. It feels so rewarding to see that in the end,” Deene said.
The production is coming together as the cast is working on the music and laying out act two. The actors are excited for their solo songs and iconic numbers, such as “Over at the Frankenstein Place.”
McBride is working to ensure that LPC’s rendition of the musical is accurate to the show’s history while also allowing for a unique experience for viewers.
“I hope the audience has the greatest night of their life in the theater. Not only are we going to have these amazing performances, a killer band, beautiful design … We’re going to have a really good time building our own world of ‘Rocky Horror’ and honoring the callback and response that people like to do when they go to the film,” said McBride.
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TOP PHOTO: Dyan McBride showcases her vision to the Rocky Horror cast in the rehearsal room on Sept.9. Cast members follow in her lead, refining their work. (Photo by Sam Barnes/The Express)
Maximilien Kiyoi is a staff writer of The Express. Follow them on X @Max445193989306.
