Everyone has their traditions. In October, for some, it’s pumpkin patches and haunted houses. But for the the theatre community it’s the Rocky Horror Show.
This year in Stockton both the Hippodrome Theatre and the Shared Light Collective took a stab at their own productions of the musical.
The Rocky Horror Show, created in 1973, is a satirical, science fiction rock-and-roll romp that follows main characters Brad and Janet through “a night they’ll never forget.” There is also the popularized movie version, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” often shown at midnight with a shadow cast. For both the musical and movie, attendees often dress up in costumes and bring props to participate in the productions from the audience.
Director of the Shared Light Collective version Jessica Spencer has been a long time fan of the show and played Magenta in a previous production.
The experience inspired her to make an inclusive production and create more opportunities for people of color, something Spencer feels is lacking in the Stockton theatre scene.
“There’s not a lot of shows where you can be like ‘I’m staying true to the integrity of the script or the integrity of the message of the show’, while I can literally play this role, and anybody can play this role any other way, and it still can maintain the same type of messaging and story and integrity of the show,” Spencer said.
She wanted to direct her own production as a concert, but the project eventually grew into the full show. Spencer started by calling up her friends, including Cole Bryant and Josh Kirwin, who had acted with her in that first show together.
“I brought back Cole as my Frank N. Furter, because I think there’s something to be said about a big, giant black queer person being Frank, and the softness and the dynamics in their voice and their performance,” Spencer said.
Spencer wanted to keep the aspects that make the show unique and authentic while backing it with strong vocals and choreography.
“So even though the story is still campy and cheeky and stuff like that, when the singing and the dancing happens, you’re like, ‘Oh, these people are for real’,” Spencer said.
Leiyah Russell played Magenta in the Hatch Workshop’s production and reflected fondly on the experience.
“This show meant the world to me,” Russell said. “It was the first time I ever felt like someone believed in me enough to give me a platform to show what I am capable of, and make magic, and grow as a performer in general. I also got to do it with my village, not just like other creatives in town, but people that I would consider my closest family.”
In the future, Spencer hopes The Shared Light Collective will be a space where community members can come together and collaborate on creative projects.
The Hippodrome, a cabaret style space, is led by James Snyder. Snyder’s production features a classic set at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds. Like The Shared Light Collective, Snyder brings together a talented group of performers for a high-energy show. The Hippodrome had a grand total of 12 showings, while The Shared Light Collective opted for a Friday-and-Saturday-night, one-weekend event at the Hatch Workshop.
Like Spencer, Snyder has seen the Rocky Horror Show before. He played three roles in one production, including the Narrator, Eddie and Dr. Scott.
While intending to solely direct in this production, Snyder had to step into the roll of Dr. Scott due to a last minute conflict. Snyder has now directed and acted in the show twice.
“Hey, that’s the way it is sometimes,” Synder said. “You know, theater, especially live community theater — you have to learn to roll with the punches.”
After tackling the normal ups and downs of show business, a proud moment backstage left Sndyer on a high note. During Sam Machado’s solo song performance as Brad, Snyder watched as the rest of cast sang and danced together back stage along with Machado.
“It filled my soul, all the stress and all the effort and energy that I have put into this show over the last, you know, four months,” Snyder said. “All the drain of energy that it took to get there that you had to put in, so much of that got filled up by watching 12 people supporting their actor doing one of his toughest songs out there, and they’re just full of support. And that’s the reason you do this.”
Next up for the Hippodrome Snyder is looking to expand with stages on the Miracle Mile, do children’s theatre and theatre in the park.
The Hippodrome has three more showings: on October 31st at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. and November 1st at 8 p.m.
Tickets are available online and at the door.
