Patriot Media Network
It’s that time of year again when we witness the spooky and skanky come to life. Few events better encompass the last term than the cult phenomenon, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Forbidden Planet Productions, a student theater company that takes its name from the first song in Rocky Horror, will again be producing this now time honored tradition. The production at GW, like those around the country, is a live role play of the movie, Rocky Horror Picture Show, performed while the 1975 film is screened behind the actors. It is a tribute to a movie that in its time was a spoof on horror films.
It has been 18 years since the birth of Rocky at GWU, but let us be clear, its record will be all but expunged. The show is most well-known for its scandalous wardrobe, complete with corsets, high heels and fishnets for almost every cast member, and it’s wickedly dark humored call back lines that vary region to region. Similarly scandalous are the Virgin Games that begin fifteen minutes before the show. “Virgin” refers to an individual who has never seen the live show, and typically these games involve creating and acting out imaginary sex positions and other similarly outrageous activities. The line to get tickets begins early in the night and comprises of similarly scantily clad and often highly “enthused” students.
Contrary to popular belief there is much more to this show than fishnets and fellatio. Not every cast member came in a crazed corset enthusiast. This year’s choreographer, Connor James, had never even seen the film before he was cast as one of the main characters, Riff Raff, as a freshman last year. This time around, the cast has both seasoned veterans as well as, what were not so long ago, Rocky virgins. Jo Jo Speranza will play the transvestite from Transsexual, Transylvania, Franknfurter, for the third year running. Davey Gonzales (who will be acting as Eddie) describes Jo Jo in the role as “Tim Curry incarnate”—the film’s original star.  Peter Ovelmen, will also be celebrating his third year as the criminologist (or more fondly known as “a man with no neck”). Asked about this year’s performance, Ovelmen said, “”I love to do Rocky not only because it’s a fun show to be part of, but also how it’s about confidence in your own body, regardless of what shape you are in – or your sexuality.” This year’s freshman class contributes the usherette, (dubbed to be FPP’s most erotic female on stage) AsiaSol Goring, among others.
The show will run (and dance and thrust) from Thursday October 25th to Saturday the 27th in the Marvin Center Grand Ballroom.
 Here are some photos of last year’s cast and crew – some in full costume!
