Virgins and veterans

Sounds of clattering stilettos could be heard from Russell Auditorium last Friday as the Clarke Street Glitter Lips presented the 3rd annual production of Rocky Horror Picture Show. This performance by the shadow-cast is the last under the direction of senior theatre and creative writing major, Dottie Pratt.

The production, which has become a Halloween tradition in the small span of three years at GCSU, follows the characters of Janet Weiss and Brad Majors who stumble upon a castle and discover a group of people holding an Annual Transylvanian Convention. Hilarity and obscenity follow as they are introduced to Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a sweet transvestite from Transsexual, Transylvania.

Drake Simons | gcsunade.com

From left, Erin Williams, Kristina Drew, Evan Wells, Ross Daniel and Nic Marrone portray the characters of Riff Raff, Janet, Columbia, Brad and Magenta. The show-cast of Clark Street Glitter Lips has been performing RHPS in Milledgeville for three years .

The pre-show consisted of an all female crew–a first for the production. This year is also a first when it comes to gender switching roles. Pratt said during auditions, performers came in auditioning for opposite sex roles–and brought the right energy to pull it off.

“This year we’re definitley experiementing,” Pratt said. “(During auditions) I was looking for someone that can stand out against the movie and someone who’s not afraid to go there.”

As each year passes, the annual sold-out production also notices an increasing number of Rocky Horror “virgins” that attend the midnight showing.

“There were also a lot of Virgins who took the oath this year,” Pratt said, “I could hardly believe so many Virgins showed up, but perhaps our reputation preceded us,”

Pratt also stated the audience was larger than ever before–forcing the crew to open up the Russell Auditorium balcony.

Two of the most entertaining moments during the performance was the surprising act of the audience getting “rickrolled” by the Rocky Horror cast members. Pratt says she also enjoyed the addition of the shake weight used in the show.

“I heard people around me whispering that they thought it was a shake weight, but when Rocky started working that thing, the whole place erupted,” Pratt said. “It was a beautiful moment,”

One of the more difficult portions of Rocky Horror is the fact that the performers must act in front of the movie, which is projected onto a large screen behind them while they perform.

“In To Kill a Mockingbird people were comparing us to these beloved characters, but the beloved characters weren’t being projected behind you,” Kat Lea, who plays Dr. Scott said. “It’s more difficult but it’s also more fun”

Rocky Horror is also one of the only shows in the theatre department that is completely student run, creating an atmosphere like none other. This atmosphere allows students, from all majors, to join in on a production

“It makes it a lot more loose and more comfortable,” Kristina Drew, who plays Janet Weiss said. “You know you can come here and you’re not going to be in an uptight situation.”

As the production of Rocky Horror Picture Show came to a close last Friday night it was a bittersweet moment for Pratt–as the last production of the cult classic she will direct at GCSU. However, she hopes that the next director will carry on the tradition that she has began.

“Hopefully, they’ll keep doing it for years to come.”

Posted by AubrieSofala on Nov 5 2010. Filed under Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.