A word from the Director … Not all drag is picture-perfect, not all virgins are young…

The freewheeling 1970s gave birth to Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show, a classic tale of an outsider who gains our sympathy, is overcome by insiders, yet leaves us all a bit wiser.  Little did we know that the ‘70s were a golden age of freedom – Baby Boomers delightedly explored beyond the boundaries of creativity, intellect, spontaneity, sexual- and gender-empowerment – that innocence is part and parcel of this naughty homage to Science Fiction B movies.

In keeping with that spirit of exploration and compassion, our rendition will feature cross-gender/age-inappropriate casting and a chorus who become the set à la Mummenschanz and Blue Man Group. Join us for ‘60s/‘70s fearlessness and fun.

CAST (in order of appearance)

Usherette(s) Female or male, Age(s) flexible (Mezzo Soprano or Baritone Belt, Bb3-Eb5 or Bb2-Eb4) Could be solo, shared solos, or Magenta doublecast.

Janet Weiss Female, Age flexible (Soprano Belt – not Susan Sarandon-style head-voice – A3-Eb5) Human, smart, savvy, hides behind the “helpmeet” cultural norm. For a while.

Brad Male, Age flexible (Bari-Tenor, Bb2-G4) Human, quirky, overly optimistic at times, cultural-normative. For a while.

Narrator Female or Male, Age flexible (Vocal range any) Narrates and also participates.

Phantoms 4-12 Female and Male, Ages flexible (SATB) Transilvanian, chorus who become portions of the set and props.

RiffRaff Male or cross-dressed Female, Age flexible (Rock Alto or High Tenor, D3-B4) Transilvanian, awkward and foreboding, one of Frank’s servants.

Magenta Female or cross-dressed Male (Mezzo Soprano or Baritone Belt, Bb3-Eb5 or Bb2-Eb4) Transilvanian, yearning, sexy, one of Frank’s servants.

Columbia Female, Age flexible (Mezzo Soprano Belt, E4-E5) Human, plucky, vulnerable. Tap dancer.

Dr. Frank N. Furter Male transvestite, Age flexible (Baritone, D3-G4) Transilvanian master of the castle, seductive, obsessed with being the center of attention; a classic brilliant, socially inept outsider who has transformed himself and is trying to recreate the world.

Rocky Male, 20s-40s (Rock Tenor, A3-G4) Human, muscular, Frank’s “magnificent creation,” more complex and intelligent than usually portrayed – after all, minutes after being born he’s singing about the Sword of Damocles.

Eddie Male, Age flexible but a generation younger than Scotty (Rock&Roll Baritone, E3-F#4) Human delivery man who comes back to life only to sing a song and die again. Could be doublecast with Scotty.

Dr. Scott (Scotty) Female or male, Age flexible but a generation older than Eddie (Contralto/Baritone, E3-F#4) Human, Eddie’s uncle or aunt, Brad and Janet’s former professor and current friend. Rides a wheelchair. Could be doublecast with Eddie.

LINKS

Samuel French <http://www.samuelfrench.com/p/2180/the-rocky-horror-show>

Official website <http://broadwaymusicalhome.com/shows/rocky.htm>

Science Fiction: Double Feature background <http://www.denofgeek.com/us/movies/the-rocky-horror-picture-show/223858/rocky-horror-picture-show-the-movies-and-references-behind-science-fiction-double-feature>

YouTube <https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=rocky+horror+show>