Energetic voices filled the walls of Gordon Wilson Hall as the cast of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” ended one of their last rehearsals. They will take the stage at the Capitol Theatre on Oct. 31 at 9:00 p.m.
Director Victoria Lewis from Owensboro, Kentucky said this is the first time the Capitol Theatre is showing “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” since COVID-19.
“It is a huge honor that Alpha Psi Omega, the theater honors society, was able to bring it back, and for the community to trust them to perform it,” Lewis said.
The play is inspired by “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”, which debuted on film in 1975. According to Playbill, it follows a young couple who face a flat tire during a storm. The couple stumbles upon a mansion full of eclectic characters, featuring dancing and rock songs.
It is also a Halloween classic and a stepping stone in queer history, sophomore Gabe Boykin said. Boykin, who plays Riff Raff, said it is an ode to progress. He said the first play adaptation started in the 1980s and is still being shown today.
“It’s big in queer culture and bringing something queer to a southern town in Kentucky means so much,” Lewis said. “It just makes my queer heart happy.”
Sophomore Sophie Todaro from St. Paul, Minnesota who plays Dr. Frank ‘N Furter, said they find “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” impactful as a gender-queer person.
“Frank N’ Furter is not biologically female and we go through this entire musical with that never being an issue,” Todaro said. “I think it’s so important that it’s not like ‘Oh you’re trans,’ she just gets to be herself.”
After selecting their cast, Lewis and Franklin, Tennessee senior Hannah Kevorkian scheduled six rehearsals. They dedicated three hours to each session to ensure everyone was well-prepared. The cast uses each practice to strive for perfection, running the show until they get it right, Lewis said.
“I’m just so proud of this cast and how much work they have put into it,” Lewis said.
Boonville, Indiana freshman Conner Frielinghausen said he decided to audition for the production after coming to WKU and hearing of the open auditions.
“I saw Rocky for the first time like two years ago in my hometown and it’s a tradition,” Frielinghausen said. “When I heard of auditions, I thought to myself, ‘You know, even if it’s just an audition and I’m not given anything, it’s still fun.’”
Frielinghausen said that after auditioning, he accepted the role of Dr. Everett V. Scott. This character is known for being wheelchair-bound and does not have much backstory. Therefore, Frielinghausen said he has been exploring his interpretation of the character throughout practice.
“It is never explained why or to what extent Dr. Everett V. Scott is in a wheelchair,” Frielinghausen said. “I love that in the end, I get to reveal my legs with my sparkly boots and fishnets, developing my version of the story.”
Lewis said to foster a lively and energetic environment, the cast engages in warm-ups and games before rehearsals. These activities not only get everyone moving and engaged but also increase energy and camaraderie.
“We warm up every time and usually play zoop, an iconic theater game that everyone probably hates at this point,” Lewis said. “You’re supposed to grab the ball of energy and then transfer it to a person around you.”
Alongside these warm-up activities, the production places a strong emphasis on intimacy coordination. With the show’s strong sexual themes, this practice ensures that all performers feel safe while navigating intimate scenes. Lewis said she emphasizes that physical acting should not occur until boundary checks have been performed by the cast. This allows everyone to establish their levels of comfort before going on stage.
Junior Ella Henry from Owensboro, Kentucky said the preparation for each role presents unique circumstances for cast members. Henry said she plays the role of Janet Weiss, “a naive, wholesome, all-American girl until she isn’t,” according to the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre casting call. Despite working with a broken foot, Henry said she has had to adapt her movements to embody the character’s energy.
“I have done a shadow cast performance like this one once before, so I kind of knew what to expect in terms of space and how the performance would be,” Henry said. “But as far as technicality goes, I’ve watched the movie a lot just to get familiar with how Janet moves.”
Henry said she finds her character Janet intriguing, especially given the show’s strong emphasis on sexuality. She said that Janet shifts along the spectrum of sexuality heavily throughout the movie. She said while this aspect has always been there, it was her interactions with another character that brought it to light.
“It’s fascinating to explore how this transformation is expressed through body language,” Henry said.
While preparing for their role as Riff-Raff, Boykin has been able to utilize his ability to stare without blinking for long periods. In the casting call, Riff Raff is described as a bit creepy and a disgruntled underling in the castle. He is based on the portrayal of Igor in the Frankenstein books.
“A lot of preparation has been watching the show, and practicing not blinking,” Boykin said. “He doesn’t have a lot of chores he just kind of lurks in the background.”
As the anticipation builds for the performance, Lewis said that 550 tickets have already been sold to the public. That number is expected to grow. Newcomers can anticipate being very involved in the production. There is frequent audience participation, from shout-outs after certain lines are said, to joining in during the time warp.
“As Dr. Frank ‘N Furter’s line goes: ‘Don’t dream it. Be it,’” Todaro said. “Love yourself for who you are and enjoy Rocky.”
Tickets for “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” can be found on the Capital Theatre’s website and are free of charge. The show is Oct. 31st at 9:00 p.m. The first 150 patrons will receive a prop bag and costumes are heavily encouraged. The Capitol also suggests that the material may be unsuitable for those under 18 years old.