Molly Odell

Jami Miller

16 December 2019

Let’s Do the Time Warp Again

The Rocky Horror Picture Show was originally Richard O’Brien’s pansexual spoof of

mid-century schlock-horror films and B-grade science fiction. The American debut took place in

Los Angeles in 1974, the same year the film was made using most of the original stage cast.

Original costume designer Sue Blane claimed to have done no research in coming up with her

looks but took credit for inspiring punk-rock fashions that persist to this day: corsets and torn

fishnets, spiky hair and outlandish makeup. Released in 1975, the film became a cult event,

showing on weekends at midnight, when creatively dressed up fans began to fill theaters to shout

rude comments back at the screen. That tradition continues with every live performance, perhaps

to the annoyance of attendees not familiar with it. At the opening night of Chico State’s

production, I was delighted to see the house filled and people dressed brightly and perfectly over

the top. I’ve been to a live production of Rocky, but this was my first musical production of it

with no movie playing quietly in the back. Although it was a musical production, audience

members gleefully took part in the remarks and made my overall experience that much better.

Having fellow students and friends being part of the show made it more special. Jackson and

Harry shined as they graced the stage with splits, turns, and hops. Juan Bolaños made me cry in

my seat- in the best way possible. Seeing him grace the stage and deliver a performance with

such confidence made me excited to see what he does next when he enters the real world. What

struck me the most was the energy. The flow of energy bouncing off of the audience and back

onto the stage cultivated the whole show. I think that’s what made this performance different

than any I’d seen at the local colleges back home. The audience was just as involved and
dedicated to the show as the actors. If it weren’t for the technical issues, I’d say this was one of

the best musical performances I have ever seen. It was hard to hear the actors speak sometimes,

but the physicality of the actor’s performances helped translate the show and move the plot

along. After Act One, I was confused. I asked my roommate why the intermission came so early,

hadn’t it only been 20 minutes? She informed me that, no, an hour and a half had already passed.

I was so enchanted by this masterpiece that unfolded on stage that I basically traveled through

time- or should I say... time-warped. I went and saw the show one more time. It was hard not to. I

can’t wait until I get the opportunity to make someone feel how I felt in the audience that night:

gratefully, absolutely, and completely in love with theatre.

“The Rocky Horror Show.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 17 Dec. 2019, https://

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rocky_Horror_Show.

“The Rocky Horror Show by Richard O'Brien.” The Rocky Horror Show by Richard O'Brien –

School of the Arts – CSU, Chico, https://www.csuchico.edu/soa/stories/2019-10-17.shtml

Willis, Barry. “Theater Review: 'Rocky Horror Show' a Rowdy Good Time in San Anselmo.”

Marin Independent Journal, Marin Independent Journal, 23 Oct. 2019, https://www.marinij.com/

2019/10/23/theater-review-rocky-horror-show-a-rowdy-good-time-in-san-anselmo/.