Well, I remember doing the “Time Warp,” as the song goes — and wow, was it a decadent thrill back in the day. And by back in the day, I mean at a viewing of “The Rocky Horror Show” some 30 years ago.
Orlando’s Little Radical Theatre is staging the musical in a raucous, exuberant production that will hit the right buttons for “Rocky Horror” fans — and heaven knows, there are a lot of them. The production is full of energy and has the right subversive attitude. But as for the show itself, well, the times they are a-changin’.
When “The Rocky Horror Show” debuted in 1973 — two years before the film adaptation that would turn the musical into a cult favorite — it was celebrated (or derided, depending on your point of view) as a reflection of the growing sexual liberation of the times. Set up as a spoof of the sci-fi B-movies of Hollywood’s early years, the story follows Brad and Janet, a couple of “squares” who succumb to the oversexed world of a mad scientist from outer space Frank-N-Furter, who’s determined to create a perfect sexual being, the Rocky of the title.
But as the social climate changes, it feels odd now to hear the show toss around words like “transvestite” and “transsexual.” (Does anyone even say “transvestite” or “transsexual” anymore?) And in an era focused on sexual consent, scenes where Frank tricks Brad and Janet into sex are more off-putting than humorous, as originally intended.
The Little Radical production, directed by Travis Eaton, mitigates these problems somewhat by focusing on the show’s ultimate message of “Don’t dream it, be it” and shaking up the genders in casting.
Jennifer Rae Paxton, who uses she/they pronouns, is the lecherous Frank and gives the scientist a troublemaking sneer while gleefully romping through the production numbers. Rocky, the object of Frank’s affection, is a nonbinary creation, portrayed with glee by Marlo Coffin.
Brad and Janet stick to traditional gender roles, with Ryan Bassett playing up Brad’s nerdish qualities and Kristie Geng relishing Janet’s newly discovered sexual freedom. Yet even her stripping down to pasties can’t possibly feel as shocking in this sexualized age as it did decades ago.
In his staging, Eaton has smartly found a middle ground between a typical play in which the audience sits quietly and the now de rigueur interactive movie screenings, in which audience members dress up, yell out lines between the filmed actors’ words and throw things at the screen.
I walked into the theater during a preshow game as an audience volunteer was agreeing to be flogged. Goodie bags are available filled with props to be used during the show. And, yes, the audience is encouraged to rise and dance the iconic “Time Warp.”
But the most interesting idea is the insertion of a master of ceremonies, who sometimes leads the audience in the standard interjections — how many times do we hear “Castles don’t have phones!” — but also adds his own witty one-liners, some with on-point Florida-specific references to Gov. Ron DeSantis or Walt Disney World.
Kenny Robinson plays this role with a devilish twinkle akin to the narrators in Broadway’s “Shucked.” About 90% of his comments land solidly, with the other 10% drowned out by the other onstage action. And there is plenty of onstage action: choreographer Shawn Lowe has fun with his big ensemble.
Ensemble members even take to the aisles in the Shakespeare Center’s Mandell Theatre, but oddly face the stage instead of the audience; how much more fun it would be to see their faces while they are among us.
One final note: Musical director Nishaa Johnson’s band sounds great and adds immeasurably to the energy, with a special shoutout going to saxophonist Jesse Dean. The sweet sound of his sax? Now that’s sexy.
‘The Rocky Horror Show’
- Length: 2:30, including preshow games and an intermission
- Where: Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 E. Rollins St. in Orlando
- When: Through Nov. 19
- Cost: $30 ($25 students and seniors)
- Info: littleradicaltheatricsinc.com
Follow me at facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email me at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Find more arts news and reviews at orlandosentinel.com/arts, and go to orlandosentinel.com/theater for theater news and reviews.
