Independent Florida Alligator Review

Gainesville Sun Review:
 

October 23, 1998

Successful camp? Isn't that an oxymoron?

By ARLINE GREER
Sun theater critic

In her essay "Notes on Camp," critic Susan Sontag described that genre as "glorifying and satirizing objects, people, and attitudes from the past." What makes camp successful? "It's good because it's awful."
The Rocky Horror Show
  • Where: Hippodrome State Theatre, 25 SE 2nd Pl.
  • When: Tuesdays-Sundays, through Nov. 8

Using Sontag's criteria, the Hippodrome's production of the ultimate in camp theater, "The Rocky Horror Show'' doesn't make the grade. Not that it isn't awful enough. Crude, lewd and rude, its awfulness overwhelms.

However, the Hipp's production is so very good that it eclipses both its innate and overt awfulness.

Searing lights, decadent costumes, exuberant choreography, robust music, skilled acting and graphic sex grab viewers into the surreal world of "The Rocky Horror Show." This is not a show for thinking audiences. The puerile spoof the author had in mind is lost in an exaggerated production. Probably this is a good thing. Thinking about the plot or listening carefully to the songs may make you shiver at their idiocy.

A combination of science fiction, horror movie homage and raunchy rock songs, the show begins with the semblance of a plot but gives up about halfway through. One nutty production number follows another. Non sequiturs abound.

The narrator introduces a staid, engaged couple, Brad and Janet, whose car breaks down. They seek help in the castle of Dr. Frank N. Furter, a mad scientist who just happens to be a transvestite from Transylvania. Frank has been busy creating Rocky, the perfect male (or sort-of male) to satisfy his lust. All the same, he finds time to seduce both Janet and Brad in one of the show's graphic sex scenes.

The play's content grows curiouser and curiouser. Kinky sexual innuendos, laser gunplay and transvestite dancing take center stage and assume the look of a surreal comic book.

Acting honors go to LaVon Fisher as a knock-em-dead Magenta; Cindy Thrall, a prim but willing Janet; Larry Alexander, an equally prim and willing Brad; Mark Chambers, the flouncy, funny transvestite Frank; and Jon Townson as a wide-eyed Rocky. All are blessed with fine singing voices and incredible stamina.

Credit also the decadent costumes by Marilyn Wall-Asse, Robert P. Robins' dazzling lighting, Cindy Thrall's electrifying choreography and Doug Maxwell's smooth musical direction, all under the knowing direction of Lauren Caldwell.

"The Rocky Horror Show" had opening-night audiences whooping and hollering. The reaction of more conservative audiences remains to be seen.