This year, the Triple Threat Threeatrics production of The Rocky Horror Show is bringing together performers who are familiar with the musical and those who aren’t. Meg Reed, who’s playing Janet Weiss, was a part of the show last year and had also done it with another company before that.
“What I like most is that it centers around the idea of just being yourself and however that expression is,” she said. “So come one, come all, everybody can find something in it for them and have a blast while doing it.”
Jaxx Polomsky was also in the show last year. He did it before with another company as well and has been a part of numerous shadow casts, but is directing it for the first time this year.
According to him, the Rocky Horror tradition has lasted as long as it has because the story provides a sense of community for outcasts, whether they’re a part of a production or in the audience.
“They are part of these shows because they see it as a safe space,” he said. “They're like, I get to go and be myself and I get to go have fun. I don't have to worry about anything else.”
Jaxx Erwin is one of the cast members who’s new to the show. He’s playing the character Rocky Horror, a creature made by the mad scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter. In addition to being outside of his comfort zone, Erwin also likes the show because of its small cast size.
“It feels like everyone's roles are important in the show,” he said.
Each of the cast members had an important role even prior to starting rehearsals. It’s only a two- week long rehearsal process, so everyone was responsible for practicing the material on their own beforehand.
“They learned music on one day, then they learned their choreography for the entire show on the next day,” Polomsky said. “They had a whole week to go over that, and then we started blocking and basically don't stop until the shows. So it's a lot for everyone, but it's all coming together really nicely.”
The hard work will pay off starting on Oct. 16, with the first performance set for 8 p.m. at Memorial Auditorium. Additional shows will be at 10 p.m. on Oct. 17 and 8 p.m. on Oct. 18.
According to Polomsky, there will be a few surprises for audience members who might be more familiar with the movie than they are with the musical. For example, the musical features a solo song sung by the character Brad Majors. Rocky also has a song that’s not in the movie and has more lines.
“You get used to how the movie flows,” Polomsky said. “You get used to yelling back those audience participation lines, and then when suddenly there's a real live human being in front of you that is saying those lines and saying them a little bit differently, it's like, oh, okay, now I got to listen and pay attention.”
Reed and Erwin suggested that audience members come prepared to be active participants, and for some interaction with the actors. But above all, audience members should just come ready to have fun.
“Try not to let it be awkward,” Erwin said. “Just know the actors are having a great time up there, too, and just really get into it and you'll enjoy it.”
Tickets for The Rocky Horror Show can be purchased online prior to the performances on the Memorial Auditorium website.
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