Rocky Horror Picture Show: Broadway Monster Flops Week
ROCKY HORROR: THE SHOW THAT WILL NEVER DIE
By Shane Toogood, BROADWAY MAGAZINE
“I walked in and saw some guy in sparkling, gold panties and thought ‘Hmm…’” said Kris Fossett, remembering stepping into a time warp of chaos and absolute pleasure at a midnight showing of the cult classic movie The Rocky Horror Picture Show. “There were about 150 people in the theater. They all knew the script, when to participate and sang along.”
Although The Rocky Horror Picture Show spawned a congregation that is still going 34 years after its theatrical release, the original Broadway production—used as a precursor for the movie’s debut to gain notoriety—couldn’t match audience appeal.
With musicals such as the Tony Award winner The Wiz and Bob Fosse’s Chicago, the show closed after 45 performances. New York Times chief theatre critic Ben Brantley recalls that the show “slayed ‘em in London and got slayed on Broadway.”
Opening in London in 1973, the show proved to be an audience favorite in the pygmy, 63-seat Theatre Upstairs. Even in L.A.’s The Roxy Theatre the show established toe-tapping audiences, but due to the lack of intimacy at the large Broadway theatre, Rocky flopped.
Critics implied that the show had no place in such a sophisticated area as New York City.
Then why is this musical still being played around the world? It’s because audiences love a good show about innocence being corrupted.
Brad Majors and Janet Weiss are off to visit an old college professor to announce their recent engagement. After running into some car trouble, the clean-cut couple seeks refuge at the Frankenstein house.
Unbeknownst to them, a party, hosted by alien-transsexual Dr. Frank-N-Furter, is being thrown to inaugurate the creation of his blonde, muscle-man Rocky.
“Brad and Janet are Adam and Eve, and the serpent is Frank-N-Furter,” said Rocky Horror creator Richard O’Brien in an interview for the 2006 London tour.
Parodying the drive-in, B-Movies of the 1950s, Rocky is trashy, campy and seduces the audience with its sensual transsexuals and unruliness. Midnight shows of the movie, as well as revivals, tours and regional theatre productions make it known that Rocky has not only a place in New York City, but in Anywhere, USA.
Going to see the movie? Click here for our quick guide of what you need to bring to participate.
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