Classic ‘Rocky Horror Show’ adds actors, costumes, props
Actors perform a scene in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” theatrical production Sept. 5 at the Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St. The theater will showcase the movie on Oct. 31 as apart of its Horror Film Series.
September 7, 2014
DeKalb | Virgins may not have noticed changes to “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” Friday.
This year’s production includes actors, props and costumes that will be new to reoccuring attendees and virgins — the term used to describe a person who has never attended the cult show — at the Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St. The next monthly performance will take place Oct. 3.
Before anyone can become a cast member, he or she must start out as a crew member. Crew members then step up as positions open, which one did just days before the show.
Nick Sifuentes, 18, of DeKalb, plays Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s handyman, Riff Raff. Although he was a fresh face on stage Friday, Sifuentes isn’t new to the production and has seen the show numerous times.
Sifuentes was originally recruited as a crew member for A Powerful and Irrational Mouthwash, an Egyptian Theatre-based shadow cast for “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Sifuentes then moved on to playing the shadow cast’s narrator and criminologist.
“And two days ago, they said I need to be Riff. So I jumped in. And I have to say: For just two days of practice, I did all right,” Sifuentes said.
Other changes to this year’s production are props like the tank in Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s lab and the transducer. Not everything seen in the cult classic film can be recreated on stage, so the director must interpret what would be best for the stage viewing. “… Before we would pantomime the levers on the wall,” said co-director Andy Osenga. “Having the actual machine makes it better and more convincing.”
Along with the props came new costumes. Each show, cast members incorporate new pieces for their characters that help bring them even more to life.
Co-director Jeffrey Stout said the cast this year has shown a lot of dedication toward the production.
“My favorite part of what we do is the commitment level of our cast and crew,” Stout said. “Everyone is very perceptive about being as on point as possible. We have a lot of dedicated people this year and they are showing all sorts of effort, which has been perfect … .”