Talk about distorted time.
At a time when pop culture is rapidly relegating the boomer generation to the dust of the earth, the cult favorite “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” features a gender-fluid, fishnet-wearing character who doesn’t fit society’s norms. It continues to attract a sparkling new generation.
“I think it’s because this movie created a community where there wasn’t one 50 years ago,” said Jalyn Webb, a Colorado theater veteran who is co-founder of a new theater company called Beehive Productions. he said. Live costumed staging of the spooky rock and roll, sci-fi, goth stage musical based on the legendary 1975 Tim Curry film.
“When this story was first written, the British were making fun of the excesses and oppression of the Americans, and in many ways young people still don’t feel completely free to be themselves. ” Webb added.
When it comes to creating a world that works for you, as the song says, “Don’t dream. That’s fine.”
The Beehives is one of three separate live stage productions of the musical “Rocky Horror” performed simultaneously by theater companies in Denver, Aurora, and Conifer. Audience participation isn’t just encouraged, it’s encouraged in just a few moments of your life.
Through October 31st, you can see this cult classic story performed live on stage by the newly formed Beehive Productions at the Denver Improv Comedy Club in Northfield. Presented by Stagedoor Theater at Conifer until October 27th. And performances by Two Saints Lion Theater Company will be held at the People’s Building in Aurora this weekend only.
To be clear, these three are live stage musicals based on movies. If you’d like to see the movie itself, it’s showing at MCA Denver at the Holiday Theater on Friday (October 4) at 10 p.m., along with a “shadow cast” of actors from the company “Colorado’s Elusive Ingredients.” They recreate the antics of the film’s characters while providing the audience with a bag of props that will help throughout the story, and encouraging the audience to shout out callbacks, dance and sing along. and more, leading the audience through all sorts of raunchy antics and pre-show fun. throughout.
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And wait, there’s more. In something of a crossover, the very same shadow actors of “Elusive Materials” will be joining Two Saints Lion’s Fallen Raku in Aurora on Saturday at 9 p.m. That’s where the “Rocky Horror Virgin” (they) stars. A friendly introductory game will be played for those who have never attended a live “Rocky” event before.
This is the queer-centered Two Saints Lion Theater Company’s sixth production, and its first musical. “The Rocky Horror Show” may be older than its parents, but co-founder Kevin Douglas says the queer cult classic “supports our mission to shine a spotlight on LGBTQ+ stories.” It’s a good fit.”
“‘Rocky Horror’ is for everyone,” Douglas said. “You can connect with Gen ” casts a very wide net across queer culture and counterculture, so we think our show is a great opportunity to invite a wide range of people.”
Although the Beehive is a new theater, co-founder and director Brian Bell and his actors and musicians are well-established in the local theater community. So why do we only perform on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Halloween Thursdays? Because their venue is a local comedy club on the weekends.
Denver Improv is part of a group of 30 comedy venues across the country, and “this is the first time we’ve done anything like this at any venue,” said general manager Christopher Gottlieb. He talked about the performance.
However, this unusual performance schedule also comes with a casting windfall. The all-star cast includes popular actors who have also appeared in the region’s largest fall productions, which typically do not perform on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
For example, Ann Thelze-Schwartz, who is garnering attention for her role as Jenna in Arvada Center’s “Waitress,” also plays Janet Weiss in Virginal (but not for long) since “Waitress” is closed on Tuesdays. There is. (Sarah Kowalski, a frequent performer at Johnstown’s Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, plays Janet on Wednesday.) Currently featured in “Jersey Boys” at Littleton Town Hall Arts Center Broadway actor Piper Lindsay Arpin joins the ensemble, alongside some of the biggest local actors. Names include Patrick Case, Brian Cronin, and Tracy Kahn who played Frank-N-Furter.
“When you come here, you’ll meet people from all over the Front Range who are absolutely iconic in this performance community,” Webb said. “You’re going to see people who are ‘in season’ and people who are coming up. These voices and people are really amazing.”