I went to see The Rocky Horror Show as a virgin, and came out a fan. Soon after my initiation I went back to see it a second time, with some cast changes, and loved it even more. (As did my wife, who saw an earlier production in London.) Dick Cavett, as the emcee, asks at the start of each show, "How many of you are virgins?" The implication is that the show requires some inside knowledge, but that's not so. Neophytes are welcome and should have no problem understanding the spoof of horror movies from the 1950s or 60s. Its outrageous take-off of the genre is augmented by a solid rock `n' roll score that is well-performed by a five-man band. The scenic design by David Rockwell and direction by Christopher Ashley are spectacular, starting with the moment when a movie image breaks apart, and we see the clueless victims-to-be, Brad and Janet, come from behind the screen.
Tom Hewitt gave a stunning performance as the strutting, transvestite scientist, Frank 'N' Furter. Veteran singer-actor Terrence Mann replaced him and is almost as studly while adding a nice touch of ironic self-awareness. Alice Ripley was adorable as Janet, but Kristen Lee Kelly brings out even more humor in the role. Mark Price as Riff Raff is a hoot. (I missed seeing Raul Esparza.) Saturday Night Live's Ana Gasteyer is especially funny and appealing as Columbia. Lea DeLaria's playing of two male roles was a stunt with limited humor, but she did rock her songs; replacement James Stovall exhibited surprising star quality. Dick Cavett was droll and interacted nicely with each audience. Some others in the casts, with well-known names, were adequate.
Opened:
October 3, 2000
Ended:
January 6, 2002
Country:
USA
State:
New York
City:
New York
Company/Producers:
Jordan Roth, by arrangement with Christopher Malcolm, Howard Panter and Richard O'Brien
Theater Type:
Broadway
Theater:
Circle in the Square
Theater Address:
1633 Broadway (50th St)
Phone:
(212) 239-6200
Running Time:
2 hrs, 15 min
Genre:
Campy Musical
Director:
Christopher Ashley
Review:
Parental:
sexual content, brief nudity
Cast:
Tom Hewitt/Terrence Mann, Luke Perry/Jarrod Emick, Dick Cavett, Lea DeLaria/James Stovall, Alice Ripley/Kristen Lee Kelly, Mark Price/Jason Wooten, Ana Gasteyer, Sebastian LaCause, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Kevin Cahoon, Rosa Curry, John Jeffrey Martin, Aiko Nakasone, Jim Osorno, Jonathan Sharp, Daniel C. Levine, Denise Summerford.
Technical:
Set: David Rockwell; Lighting: Paul Gallo; Costumes: David C. Woolard; Sound: T. Richard Fitzgerald/Domonick Sack. Video Design: Batwin + Robin Productions; Choreography: Jerry Mitchell; Musical Direction: Henry Aronson; Original Orchestrations: Richard Hartley; New Orchestrations: Doug Katsaros.
Critic:
Steve Cohen
Date Reviewed:
June 2001
