Unconventional ‘Rocky Horror’: Baton Rouge Theater opens Friday | Entertainment/Life

In its own way, Rocky Horror has managed to maintain the savage style of its 1973 London premiere.

No, it’s not a typo. Dr. Frank-N-Foot’s film starring Tim Curry was released in 1975, but a stage play also starring Curry debuted in 1973.

On Friday, the Baton Rouge Theater will stage a new brand of Frank-N-Furter at the opening of its annual Halloween production “The Rocky Horror Show.” In fact, this Frank-N-Furter is so advanced that it may just push production to the brink.

“From my point of view, I’m picking the best person for the role,” said director Matt Miyagi.

Who is the best person? Jacqueline R. Paulson.

Yes, the domineering transgender maniac doctor Frank, named Rocky, will be played by a woman. But it doesn’t stop there.

Maddie Roby will play Rocky.

“It changes the dynamic in a way, but it still works,” Paulson said. “But my point is that Frank is an alien and everyone around him is alien and I don’t think they have gender rules.”

This may be a spoiler for those who have never seen the “Rocky Horror” version, as it is finally revealed that Frank, his hired hands, and his merry band of ghosts are indeed creatures from outer space. They live in a castle, and it seems that everyone lives in one continuous party.

When Brad Majors played by Scott Don Bosco Mitchell and Janet Wayne played by Diane Isom The moment Janet Weiss knocks on the castle gate, the audience is introduced to the group of aliens.

They hardly know where they are walking.

“It’s a different world,” Paulson continued. “While Frank is masculine and the center of attention, I physically present him as androgynous.”

Robbie’s situation is different from Loki’s. That character was brought into the world as a newly created man with only large muscles covered in golden underwear.

“Well, I’m not going to the stage in gold underwear,” Robbie said with a smile.

Nor will she be torn apart. Instead, she’ll have a long blond ponytail, and she’ll play Loki in her own way.

“I saw Rocky Horror for the first time last year at the Baton Rouge Theater, and I wanted to give it a try,” she said. “After the audition, they called me back and asked, ‘Can you act like you have bubbles in your brain?'”

It was then that Robbie knew she was an unconventional choice for Loki.

“I’m still playing the role of the Rocky vibe,” she said. “I just added a feminine twist to it.”

The other characters are traditional, but Janet’s emotional journey will change. She’ll still be nervous and naive, and Isom will show who she really is. But one day Janet will fall in love with Loki.

“Her story is still about discovering who she is,” Isom said. “I believe she went through her awakening when she was introduced to Loki, and in this show, Loki is a girl.”

Meanwhile, Carole J. Moore will play Columbia, the only human in the castle. Watch closely, as Moore reveals something that wasn’t always obvious about her character.

“She was drugged,” Moore said. “They drugged her with alien spray and every time she started coming out, they sprayed her again.”

Colombia is known as a groupie, the one who spends the longest time with aliens. She’s cute, sparkly, and tap dances in the middle of a time warp.

But does she really want to live among Frank-N-Furter and the gang? It’s a little thought-provoking as the audience sings along; dances Time Warp with housekeeper and maid Riff Raff, Brendon Landry, and Magenta, played by Elina Bachman; and interacts with the dialogue.

In the end, it doesn’t matter who plays the role. “Rocky Horror” is fun. If you haven’t bought your tickets yet, do so now, as this will be the last “Rocky” production at the Baton Rouge Theater in a while.

“It will go into hiatus after that,” Miyagi said. “We’ve been filming ‘Rocky’ for a while, and the theatre has decided to take a break from Frank’s Castle. We hope it’ll be back soon.”

Until then, “Rocky” fans will be waiting with anticipation.

“The Rocky Horror Show”

Friday-Sunday, Thursday-Sunday, October 27-30. Show times are 8pm and 11:59pm all night.

Baton Rouge Theater, 7155 Florida Blvd.

$25-35. The 8pm show is sold out on Fridays and Saturdays and Thursday-Saturday, October 27-29. The 11:59pm show sold out on Thursday and Friday, October 27th and 28th.

(225) 924-6496 or Theater Network