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…