It's Alive!

So this year something incredibly exciting is happening for Play It Again Rocky.  We are going to be involved very closely in a production of Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show!  I will be directing and Chuck will be my assistant director.  We're working with a wonderful group of people and if I'm honest, I am not only excited about Rocky but also the prospect of possibly directing some other things in the future. 

So my plan is to try and post something here each day about the production: how it's going, what happened that day, what's coming up.  That sort of thing.  I'm going to try and not give too much away, but I want to document this process. 

So for today that's all you get, but I look forward to telling you about the cast list tomorrow. 

Waiting for Rocky season...

It's that time of year.  That time when I am starting to get desperate for some Rocky.  Luckily the show in Excelsior is coming up soon.  And summer will be here soon...maybe it will be time to do a little revamping around the site or something.  I think I need a project to work on.  At anyrate, I look forward to talking more frequently with you all soon. 

63 Days Till Halloween!

My day job has been keeping me busy lately. But I seem to be keeping up pretty well. Thought I would take a moment to check in and update things.

The plan for October is coming along. We're looking at Milwaukee for a long weekend October 23rd. If all goes well, we will see the show in Milwaukee, then rush to see the movie near Chicago on Saturday. Then Sunday there is another production in IL that we should be able to catch in the afternoon. Then we'll spend the rest of the evening in Chicago before heading back Monday.

Halloween weekend we're sticking kind of close to home with the show in Wichita. It was so good last year and we figured we may be able to see it a few times that weekend and really get the full road trip experience.

We're also trying to fit in the show in Arkansas...not sure which weekend will work yet. It just seems too close to pass up. And we've never hit Arkansas. It would be a very nice addition to our list. Which for the record is:

• Missouri
• Kansas
• Iowa
• Illinois
• Nebraska
• Louisiana
• Missisippi
• Texas
• New York
• South Dakota
• Minnesota
• Oklahoma 

That is all I can think of off the top of my head. Of course we've hit several shows/performances in many of those states. I really should keep a running total but I always seem to be guestimating when I sit down and figure it out.

71 Days Till Halloween!

So as October draws near we are starting to finalize plans for our road trips this year. I am getting pretty excited about it. It's looking like the Milwaukee show is becoming more likely. It will allow us to go through St. Louis on the way there and back which we always enjoy (White Castle Woot! Woot!). And we can spend some time in Chicago and see the movie at Hollywood Blvd near Chicago which is fantastic. AND added bonus it looks like there is a show on Sunday of that weekend in IL near every thing else we are doing! So this one is shaping up well. I'm thinking the Show is Arkansas is too close to pass up so we'll probably hit that one too and maybe save Tennessee for next year. If all goes well perhaps Joplin or Wichita or both for Halloween weekend. I can't wait!

Something's Coming!

So there has been an announcement of a live broadcast of a production of Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show starring Richard O’Brien as the Narrator and David Bedella as Frank.  This is going to be viewed across Europe in movie theaters in September and rebroadcast here in October.  

I am incredibly excited about this.  I truly never thought we’d ever get the chance to see a broadcast performance (and of course recording it or buying a dvd).  I don’t know how the Rocky Gods found a way to make this work, but I am appreciative that they did.  There are so many laws and regulations between the movie and stage show and I know there are some rules that apply directly to filming of the stage show.  It would seem that some people involved in RHS and RHPS who are not known to get along very well probably had to make some compromises for this to work.  This will give many fans the chance to see something they previously could only have dreamed about.  

This will likely affect some future productions of the show.  I’m sure there will be those who assume that seeing this particular performance caught on screen means that it is the only way to do the show.  There will be productions that try to emulate it exactly on their smaller stages.  Just like the movie before it, this will be a detriment to your show.  The best thing about theatre is that it is new every single time.  When I see a stage show that tries to emulate the movie I am disappointed.  Why create/copy the exact thing everyone has already seen?  There is no risk in that.  There is no creativity, no creation.  You haven’t made art, in essence you’re singing along with the radio.  I believe good directors know this.  

Part of me is also a little jealous that I can’t go to the theater and watch the show when all of Europe sees it.  I know with technology as it is, the day after someone will have a bootleg of sorts online.  I’ll want desperately to see it but I’ll also want to wait for the official airing.  I’ll be like a child at Christmas wanting to peak at my gifts but knowing that the magic just isn’t the same if I do.  

After years of talk of a remake I am thrilled.  I think, although I could be wrong, that fans will accept this.  Movies fans have long been against a remake.  I’ve always looked forward to one.  I love to see how a show can be tweaked and made new while maintaining its story.  I think this may be the best possible option and to have Richard O’Brien on board is imperative.  I don’t have many heroes, just a few I can name.  He is at the top of that list.  Having his approval and participation in this production makes it real and makes it worthy.  

So now we begin a countdown to a very special show.  I have butterflies in my stomach for the first time in a long time.  We’ll be waiting with anticip…       

New Merch for the 40th Anniversary

Those of you who know me well know that I LOVE collecting Rocky Horror memorabilia.  One great thing about the anniversaries is all the new stuff that comes out for me to buy.  I figured I should probably put together a little blog post with some of the notable items that have come out or that will be out soon. 

A new release of the soundtrack on Red Vinyl will cost around $21 on Amazon.  You can also get the new release on CD for about half that price. 

Next a new DVD release for the 40th.  According to the description "Limited edition set includes collectible fishnet stockings, gloves and the original movie soundtrack CD!"  This one can be purchased through Fox for around $22 and will ship this fall. 

This may be my favorite item of the year.  Funko is finally doing a set of Rocky figures.  They are set for release in September.  I think these will go fast so I'd recommend buying them as soon as you can!  They are around $12 each or the set of 6 for $60.  You can find them for pre-order on Ebay already. 

This year there were 2 Rocky Vinyl Releases on Record Store Day.  In the US we had the Time Warp Single on Red Vinyl.  You should be able to find this one on Ebay for around $20.   

And the UK release was The Original London Cast on a picture disc.  This one could get pretty pricey, but if you click the link above you can get it with shipping for just under $30. 

These are the items that come to mind off the top of my head, but I'm sure as the Halloween season draws near we will see more.  I am completely stoked and can't wait to see what else comes along.  After 40 years the possibilities seem endless. 

October Can't Get Here Quick Enough!

This is always a really exciting time of year for me. I love brainstorming about which Rocky road trips to take in October. Looking at the options and figuring out which ones fit in my schedule. There are several great options this year and I have to say it won’t be easy to narrow them down. There is one that is a long shot and I’m actually hoping it might work out as it would have some great bonuses along with it. Also I’m finally getting some ideas finalized for some kind of contest this October. I am pretty sure what the prizes will be, still working on exactly what the contest might be. I think you guys will love it.