Horrible Pleasure

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

By Matthew Irwin

Jackson Hole, Wyo.-I was innocent until Rocky Horror defiled me.

But how innocent could I have been, driving up to the warehouse where the show will take place? And haven’t I always loved theater with all its celebrated deviance, its many thumbs bitten in the direction of proper society?

Nonetheless, I drove up to rehearsal for The Rocky Horror Show a few weeks back as a virgin to the experience.

The cast and crew could smell it, welcoming me with smiles and waves as they discussed a scene: Rocky (Brian Lenz) and Janet (Stephanie Capps), alone, and he asks her for some lip gloss.

By this point, Janet and her boyfriend, Brad, who have been saving themselves for marriage, have been deflowered by Frank (Jeff Bratz), posing as Brad and Janet, in the respective case. Upon learning that they had lost their virginity to Frank, both at first acted scandalized, but then conceded.

Producer/director Macey Motts asks Lenz what Rocky thinks about Janet.
“I don’t know,” Lenz says. “I only have half a brain ... though I don’t need it for that ... It’s got a brain of its own. I guess that’s why it’s called a head.”
I picture myself saying this joke in front of my girlfriend and her friends, the sympathetic looks they would give me for using the pun.

But the circle of actors laughs, and I do, too. Now, I have an idea what to expect, and I like it. I hear Frank in my head: “There is no crime in giving yourself over to pleasure.”

Next thing I know, the cast is on the stage. Rocky is in a chair, Janet behind him, preparing to sing “Touch-a Touch-a Touch Me.” Choreographers Heather Best and Margaret Breffeilh discuss the moves.

Capps says, “What about something like this,” and runs her hands over Lenz’s chest, before fluttering her fingers toward his lap. She retreats from the gesture, joining the others in laughter.

Mott has wanted to produce this show for more than five years. It is “by far, the biggest show” Riot Act Inc., the local theater company, has done, she said, requiring significant funding, which they’ve raised through fundraisers and grants over the last year.

Mott instructed the 13 cast members not to watch the movie, rather to form their own versions of the characters. They created character biographies that they had to present to the group. Then, they had to answer questions, in character, from each other.

When I return to the warehouse the following week, Bratz is walking back and forth in a pair of red pumps – after all, Frank is an alien from Transvestite Transylvania. His arms naturally extend out to his sides, like wings, and he supposes that women walk that way for balance. He won’t be the only guy in high-heels.

In fact, the show may be good practice for dudes who like to go as women for Halloween – audience members are encouraged to dress up.

And you may have heard about prompts, things the audience should shout and throw. Well, Riot Act will take care of that, too. Props bags will be for sale ($5) with instructions.

But beware the transformative quality of theater. In particular, this show – outlandish, campy, fantastic – that asks everyone to be a little ridiculous, and once they’ve been defiled, they can’t help but take it out of the theater. JHW

The Rocky Horror Show is, 7:30 p.m., tonight through Saturday, and Oct. 28 to 31, in Warehouse No. 2, behind Enclosure Rock Gym, on Deer Dr. $15.  The after-party is 10 p.m., Friday, at Thai Me Up. riotactinc@earthlink.net.

Photo by ZAC ROSSER
Jeff Bratz as the sweet transvestite, Frankenfurter.


PERMALINK:
Horrible Pleasure | Planet JH News Article: Cover Stories

Leave a Comment