Story by Karen Parr-Moody
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The Roxy Regional Theatre is doing the Time Warp again, showcasing a corseted actor in high heels who prances across the stage like he owns it in “The Rocky Horror Show.” This musical, which was originally a London stage sensation in 1973 and spawned the 1975 movie, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” has become a cult favorite.
The freaks from the transsexual galaxy of Transylvania will hit the Roxy stage on opening night at 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 25 as the musical enjoys a limited run. Other show times are at 8 p.m. on Oct. 26, Nov. 1 and Nov. 2. There is also a 7 p.m. show on Halloween and a special 11:59 p.m. show on Saturday, Oct. 26. Tickets are $25.
Additionally, there is a dinner-and-show at 6 p.m. on Oct. 26 and Nov. 2, which is a collaboration with Edward’s Steakhouse. These tickets are $50.
I recently viewed a dress rehearsal which kicked off with a song by Trixie, the “popcorn girl,” played by Elena Pascullo, who has been wowing audiences at The Roxy since she first belted out songs in “The Marvelous Wonderettes” last summer.
Soon, a newly engaged couple launches the action by unwittingly arriving at the castle of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, everyone’s favorite bisexual transvestite scientist, who is in the process of creating his fantasy man, the sexy Rocky Horror. Sexual antics, gender bending and glam rock all ensue as Transylvanians groove to the
“Time Warp” and a hodgepodge of kooky characters take the stage.
Riff-Raff, the hunchbacked butler, is played by Ryan Bowie, an actor and the Director of Fundraising and Development for The Roxy. As Riff-Raff, Bowie lets his hair hang down – literally (he wears a long, blond wig) – bringing to the stage a blend of Igor and Ozzy Osbourne with a dash of Jack White.
Michael Spaziani, a hunky actor, plays Dr. Frank-N-Furter. In past Roxy productions, Spaziani has inhabited such roles such as a young soldier in “South Pacific,” characters that have benefitted from his mellifluous voice and the lantern jawline of an old-school matinee idol. He goes deliciously against type as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, wearing high heels that surely pinch and lipstick as red as a stop sign.
In the past, the role of the narrator has been played on Broadway by a roll call of luminaries, including Dick Cavett, Jerry Springer and Robin Leach. In the Roxy’s rendition, the narrator is played by Philadelphian actor RJ Magee, who is as droll, elegant and affected as Oscar Wilde surely must have been in his lifetime. He brings a heaping dose of personality to the role.
Then there’s Mickey Rafalski. Sigh. He plays Rocky, the bleached-blond creation of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Anyone who remembers Brad Pitt back when he was really hot (think: “Thelma & Louise”) will see that same spark in Rafalski. If one can call a man a sex kitten, then Rafalski purrs his way through this musical (wearing a metallic gold bikini and matching cowboy boots, naturally).
Do yourself a favor: Hit one of the downtown restaurants for dinner, then head to The Roxy to rock out to “The Rocky Horror Show.” One caveat: This musical is rated “M” for “mature,” due to simulated sexual acts (done in silhouette behind a scrim) and a few other risqué tidbits. So don’t bring your minister or your mother-in-law.
Tickets may be purchased ahead of time at the Roxy box office at 100 Franklin Street, which is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays, or at the door the day of the performance. They may also be ordered online at www.roxyregionaltheatre.org. For more information call (931) 645-7699.
Above: Actor RJ Magee brings a droll elegance to the role of narrator.
Right: Michael Spaziani hams it up glamorously as Dr. Frank-N-Furter.
Karen Parr-Moody began a career as a New York journalist, working as a fashion reporter for Women’s Wear Daily, a beauty editor for Young Miss and a beauty and fashion writer for both In Style and People magazines. Regionally, she has been a writer at The Leaf-Chronicle newspaper and currently writes about arts and culture for Nashville Arts magazine each month.