Practice makes perfect for Rocky Horror grand finale

Rocky Horror Show is a cult classic, and a community favorite. The Historic Vista Theater in Negaunee has had a long run of this humorous musical, but their sweet sixteenth production is the end of the line.

NEGAUNEE — Rocky Horror Show is a cult classic, and a community favorite. The Historic Vista Theater in Negaunee has had a long run of this humorous musical, but their sweet sixteenth production is the end of the line.

After fifteen years, you’d think Rocky Horror Show would be no sweat for the Historic Vista Theater. But, every year is a little different, and practice makes perfect.

The rehearsal process starts by reading through the script to get familiar with the story and lines. After that, the directors start “blocking” which is just giving actors direction on how to portray the character.

“We’re kind of doing the campy, 1950’s, science fiction type B-movie. That’s a lot of over dramatization. That’s what the heart of those movies back in the day were, so that’s what we’re trying to accomplish,” said Co-Director Leslie Sollid, “Now kind of the fun starts because this is where we start running the show and the characterization keeps coming in, so that’s what’s happening right now.”

Characters really start to blossom once dress rehearsals start. But, Rocky Horror Show is a little challenging because of the audience. Obviously they can’t be present for rehearsals, but the audience plays a big role in the play.

“It is going to be a very big difference once the audience is here doing the callbacks. Because it can be very distracting, we want them on top of their lines and knowing what they’re doing next,” Sollid added.

Fortunately, many of the actors have been in the business a long time, and many have been in Rocky Horror Show before. Bobby Glenn Brown has played Dr. Frank N. Furter thirteen times!

“It is a blessing actually because he knows what he’s doing, his character is already there and all Lee and I need to do is tweak it a little bit with our little ideas,”
Rocky Horror opens at the Historic Vista Theater October 22nd at 7:30 p.m.

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