article

The Rocky Horror Show is a long running stage musical (opening in London initially, on June 16, 1973) which 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.

Sharman's success with the original Australian production of Superstar led to an invitation to direct the first London stage production, and it was during the London run of Superstar that he met O'Brien, who briefly had a role in the show (he played Herod for just one performance). O'Brien played Sharman some of the songs he had written and they began to flesh out the concept for the show; Sharman later brought in fellow Australians Nell Campbell (aka 'Little Nell') and longtime design collaborator Brian Thomson, who had designed both Hair and Superstar. Sharman's theatrical background -- his father and grandfather were famous tent-show promoters -- influenced the deliberately makeshift look and feel of the original production, which premiered in a small, 60 seater, run-down theatre slated for demolition that was run by the Royal Court as a project space for new work. The show was voted Best New Musical by London's theatre critics and the production transferred to a theatre on the Kings Road where it ran continuously for three years.

The movie has been much more popular in the United States than the theatrical show, revivals of which are mounted periodically without great success. In other countries the stage show has proved a perennial favourite with theatre audiences, and many successful revivals of the show have been mounted. In some places at the stage show, fans dress up as the characters and shout call-backs at the stage, e.g., whenever Brad's name is mentioned, the audience shouts "asshole," and shouts "slut" for Janet. Fans also use 'props' at appropriate moments, for example, throwing toast when Frank calls for "a toast," a using water pistols and newspapers for the scene in the rain; unfortunately many theatres do not allow this anymore.

Versions of the show have played well in various other countries, including a New Zealand production that featured, at one time or other, the former prime minister Robert Muldoon (as the compère) and the (now shamed) Rock Star, Gary Glitter playing the lead.

It came eighth in a BBC Radio 2 listener poll of the "Nation's Number One Essential Musicals" (wherein Nation refers to the United Kingdom). *

Original London cast and production team



Songs

  • "Science Fiction-Double Feature"
  • "Damn It Janet"
  • "There's a Light" (renamed for the film: "Over At the Frankenstein Place")
  • "Sweet Transvestite"
  • "The Time Warp"
  • "The Sword of Damocles"
  • "Charles Atlas Song" (renamed and rewritten for the film, and since retained in current stage versions: "I Can Make You a Man")
  • "Hot Patootie-Bless My Soul"
  • "Charles Atlas Song: Reprise" (renamed for the film: "I Can Make You a Man (Reprise)")
  • "Once in a While"
  • "Touch-a Touch-a Touch-a Touch Me" (also known as: "Touch-a Touch-a Touch Me")
  • "Eddie's Teddy"
  • "Planet Schmanet Janet" (also known as: "Wise Up Janet Weiss")
  • "Rose Tint My World"
  • "Don't Dream It - Be It"
  • "Wild And Untamed Thing" (often combined with Rose Tint My World and "Don't Dream It" as simply "Floorshow")
  • "I'm Going Home"
  • "Super Heroes"
  • "Science Fiction/Double Feature: Reprise"

US Premiere

The Rocky Horror Show premiered in the U.S. at the Roxy theatre, Los Angeles opening March 24th 1974. Director Jim Sharman and lots of other backstage members came over from London. Tim Curry was the only member of the cast to reprise their role. Meat Loaf joined the cast here as Eddie/Dr. Scott, Kim Milford as Rocky, and Jamie Donnelly, Jan from Grease the movie, starred as Magenta/Usherette. There was a cast recording made of this cast and it is easy to find.

Broadway

The Rocky Horror Show originally went on Broadway in 1975 with the Roxy cast from Los Angeles. 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 back in 2000 and featured Tom Hewitt, funny lady Lea DeLaria, and of Rent fame, Daphne Rubin-Vega.

UK Tour

The Rocky Horror Show is currently touring the UK, starring David Bedella as Dr Frank N Furter and Suzanne Shaw as Janet Weiss

See also

External links

LGBT theatre | British Musicals | Rocky Horror

The Rocky Horror Show | The Rocky Horror Show

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "The Rocky Horror Show".

Home Page • arts • business • computers • games • health • hospitals • home • kids & teens • news • physicians • recreation• reference • regional • science • shopping • society • sports • world