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Regional Reviews: San Francisco/North Bay The Rocky Horror Show
Oasis Arts, in conjunction with Ray of Light Theatre, have staged this show annually for several years, creating an interactive and immersive experience that blends elements of the classic show (it was first staged in 1973!) with neo-burlesque elements and drag. Because of the physical layout of Oasis, you purchase your ticket for one of three entry times, as each group experiences the first scenes–Brad and Janet (Julio Chavez and Lisa Frankenstein) getting engaged, then having their car break down near the castle where Frank N. Furter (the venerable D'Arcy Drollinger) and their posse of Transylvanians have set up housekeeping–before heading into the main bar/stage where the rest of the show will play out once all three groups have made it inside. Those in the first two groups will have plenty of time to grab a drink from the bar and enjoy the spectacle of half a dozen or so performers dressed in an array of fetish wear dance on the thrust runway and the platforms placed at either side of it as dance music pours through the club's sound system. (There are only a few ADA seats and perhaps a dozen VIP seats along the runway–the rest of the audience stand for the full length of the show.) From the first energetic bars of the musical's signature song, "Time Warp," until Frank N. Furter's final lament in "I'm Going Home," the audience is involved in almost every aspect of the show, as both the main characters and chorus members roam through the room, so even if you didn't spring for the upfront VIP seats, you will still be close to the action throughout the evening. Julio Chavez reprises his role as the uber-nerdy Brad, arrayed in a hideous plaid suit with black belt, brown shoes, and sock garters, and he brings the same naif sensibility to the role. Lisa Frankenstein is also back this year, once again playing Janet with a combination of prissiness that–after some persuasion on the part of Frank–reveals her inner bad girl, a moment that comes to a head in the song "Toucha Toucha Touch Me." Though the vocal chops of the cast can be uneven, no performer is ever less than fully committed to their role, be it Joe Greene's marvelously menacing Riff Raff, Trixxie Carr's malevolent Magenta (complete with a wig large enough to deserve its own zip code), or the array of chorus members working the crowd. New cast member Austin Tipograph does terrific work as both Eddie and Dr. Scott, and Samuel Rosario puts his chiseled physique to use in playing Frank N. Furter's sex toy creation, Rocky. Carr, playing Magenta, takes a moment to display her solid vocal chops, taking an extended riff on the line "You're a hot dog, but you better not try to hurt her, Frank Furter" in a huge range of vocal styles. But the standout of the show (in addition to Drollinger, who, as ever, positively owns the stage) might be Ryan Patrick Welsh, who narrates the action using an adorable Southern accent that brings a soupçon of Tennessee Williams to the proceedings. Video projections and graphics (by Pseudo) drive some of the action and illustrate elements of the plot that would be difficult to stage, but they're vital to the action and are thankfully not overused. The highlight for me this year (my third time attending the show) is the upgraded choreography by Leslie Waggoner. The movements are so much more energetic and imaginative that no matter where you look in the Oasis there is always something wonderful to watch. Combine that with Jason Hoover's direction, which makes full use of the stage, runway, platforms–and the rest of the club–and it's a recipe for an evening of debauched delights. The Rocky Horror Show runs through October 31, 2025, at The Oasis, 298 11th Street, San Francisco CA. Performances are Thursdays-Saturdays plus Halloween Sunday, with staggered entries at 6:30, 6:45, and 7:00p.m. The show's entire run is sold out, but I suppose there may be cancellations, so you can hope for that For information, please visit www.rayoflighttheatre.com or www.sfoasis.com. |
