"The Rocky Horror Show" by Mixfit Theatre at LUSH

Mixfit Theatre is a newish #TCTheater company whose "mixion" is stated thusly: "Our goal is to create opportunities for queer folx to see themselves represented onstage. We strive to tell authentic queer stories without hesitation or censorship. We believe that trans and nonbinary people need to be recognized and protected, drag is not dangerous, and that everyone deserves the right to choose who and how they love." What better show for this company and this mission than The Rocky Horror Show, a cult hit musical that is all about the freedom to be your own unique self. For this production they've partnered with Stomping Ground Studio to provide some incredible aerial performance that's incorporated into the musical, for a unique experience. They've also assembled a super talented cast that blows the roof off the LUSH event space. The bad news is they're only doing six performances, and they're all sold out. But the good news (for me) is that I was able to go opening night and had a great time, and if you already have tickets, you will too.*

I'm not a Rocky Horror superfan. I've seen the stage show multiple times, but I've never been to a showing of the movie, and I don't know all the call-backs that are such a big part of that. I also don't enjoy audience participation, but Mixfit handles that beautifully by handing out color-coded necklaces before the show so you can clearly indicate if you'd like to participate. Which made the evening much more enjoyable for me, I could just sit back and watch the pros do their thing. And wow, do they!

photo by Lou R. R. Zurn

Siddeeqah Shabazz directs the show with just the right mix of camp and sincerity, which this fearless nine-person cast revels in. Most of the cast is new-to-me, but all are impressive. Lee Garr is our trusty narrator guiding us through this bizarre story, Caitlin Sparks and Ahmad Mohamad are sweetly earnest as the "normals" Janet and Brad, El-Sara Duopu has a powerful voice and great attitude as Frank-N-Furter, and Shayla Courteau has a lot of fun as an against-type Rocky (i.e., not a muscley man). Kat Grannis, Monty Hays, Izzy Maxwell, and Nora Sonneborn provide great support as the eccentric servants, each with a moment (or two) to shine. And dance, with some fun choreography by Nicholas Ohren.

This would be a great show with just the above cast, and the fabulous five-person on-stage band led by Music Director Bradley Beahen playing this iconic rock score, but there's more! A troupe of six aerialists (Kaitlyn Andrews, Annen "A" Hermanson, Eliza Blaise Gaston, Juliette "JJ" Kline, Hayley Larson, and Evan Reinke) perform simultaneously with the music-theater part and add another layer to the story. They have multiple kinds of equipment rigged up in the high ceiling at LUSH, from silks to ropes to chains to a crescent moon. I recently had the opportunity to play around on an aerial sling a little, and it's so much harder than these talented artists and athletes make it look. Their performances are gorgeous, graceful, powerful, and jaw-dropping. The only problem is it's difficult to watch both the aerial performers and the music-theater performers at the same time!

Like the recent production of Head Over Heels, this production uses the catwalk that comes out from the main stage. The space has been turned into corridor seating, with most of the tables removed and a few rows of chairs facing the catwalk, along with more seating in the back. The performers move all around the space, and enlist audience members (with the correct color necklace) to help out in the storytelling by using props or standing in specific places (but nothing too scary). The show is dynamic and there's really no set to speak of, just a few choice props. But they do use video at times, some of which I missed because I was trying to watch two performances at once, but what I did catch was cleverly done (including images of classic TV sitcom sets as security footage of "empty rooms," and video of the characters in compromising positions, filmed in various locations around LUSH). The costumes (designed by Samantha Rei) are really fun and colorful.

This was my first experience with Mixfit Theatre, and their work is so important and needed right now - providing a place for queer artists and audiences, and sharing queer stories. And their production of Rocky Horror does that with joy and passion and humor, a living example of "don't dream it, be it."

*Pro tip: get there plenty early to find parking, you could even get there an hour or two early and have dinner in the dining room at LUSH before heading to the show when the event space opens.