Now, that I’ve looked at the two original productions and the movie version of Rocky Horror, I wanted to look at a revival and one of the biggest revivals I know of was the 2000 – 2001 Circle in the Square and this production implemented many changes from the movie as this was one of the first revivals to use the revised script by O’Brien.
Also if you’ll notice the look of Frank on the album cover, he has an almost vampiric look.
One of the most fascinating aspects of this production was how they would rotate out celebrity guests to play the Narrator. The names that stuck out to me the most when finding this information is that Penn and Teller were brought in for this role.
What I’d pay to see that. I kinda wish I could have seen what this set looked like in person but just by looking at the costumes, it so screamed punk while also updating it for the early ‘00s. Alas much like the rest of the world after 9/11 ticket sales for this show took a nosedive.
I really wish I could’ve seen this production as you had Joan Jett as Columbia and at one point, Brad was played by Luke Perry. OMG, someone get me a Time Machine to see this production right now. From what I’ve read on the Broadway subreddit as those that attended this production, this was a full on party.
Let’s go ahead and look at the songs now.
Overture
I’ve avoided talking about the overture in the past as it is so short but with this being a major revival, I do find it interesting in how it is used to build audience hype before the show starts with them spelling Rocky.
Science Fiction Double Feature
As a major Renthead hearing Daphne Rubin-Vega singing the opening number as the Usherette does things to my heart that just makes me so happy
. It’s just so amazing to hear an actor from the musical that introduced me to my love of musicals in a musical I consider important in reshaping how I picture myself. And I appreciate that she isn’t trying to copy what came before while also respecting it.
Damn It, Janet
Jarrod Emick brings such an interesting take to Brad as he still sounds like a rushed nerd but the sound and voice sounds more apt for how I would picture someone playing Brad in the early 00’s. Again, this is still Brad but a Brad of a different era. He sounds rushed and nerdy still which I appreciate.
Over at The Frankenstein Place
Interestingly in the original run of this revival, television personality Dick Cavett portrayed the Narrator and I think that’s works to add a sense of gravitas.
Also wow Alice Ripley as Janet, she’s from one of my other favorite musicals. I like this version but I do find it hard to explain as it both the upbeat and melancholic sound that this song can go for in either direction.
Time Warp
This is the song that you cannot get wrong and I don’t think they did. Raúl Esparza as Riff Raff is a delight and I just gotta know how did he not strain his voice as he put his all in that scream. I am sure he needed vocal rest after every performance. That is not to diminish the rest of the cast as they keep up with him but I am jut blown away by him.
Sweet Transvestite
This is the one of the changes brought in from the movie. Tom Hewitt thankfully isn’t aping Curry for his Frank yet weirdly his Frank feels way more flamboyant and that is saying something as Frank was already pretty flamboyant.
Even looking at still images of him as Frank he is serving. It’s like this Frank knows he’s the whole meal and everyone is here to eat him up.
The Sword of Damocles
Admittedly, this song imo is the one that sounds least changed. That is not a bad thing and I think I might prefer this version to any other as I think Sebastian LaCause has a gorgeous singing voice that makes me love this song more than the other three versions I’ve looked at.
I Can Make You a Man
Okay, admittedly at first Hewitt does sound like he might be aping Curry but that is a comparison that is that gonna pop up when looking at this character. Yet, he still makes this song his own s his voice at times gives it more of a rock vibe compared to how Curry sang it.
Hot Patootie
This one took me by surprise on my first listen as the 2001 production had a woman playing Eddie. I had to look up Lea DeLaria to see what she looked like as Eddie. This is just brilliant having a woman, a lesbian playing the role of Eddie is another way of reinforcing the counterculture of the show.
Think about it, Frank dresses what we consider drag and that was/is considered taboo. Well this show in a way kinda made Eddie a drag king role. Oh sure, we’ve had women play male characters like Peter Pan before but just look at the aesthetics of this Eddie, that is such a drag king style look. This is something I wish more shows would do, we know of and see queens celebrated but we never hear about kings. Even if the intent was not for this for be a drag king role, it is important in breaking down gender norms of the theatre.
I Can Make You A Man (Reprise)
It’s interesting to listen to this version as it sounds like at first, Hewitt’s Frank is biting on the words and holding back his anger.
Touch-A Touch-A Touch Me
This version does something that in a way feels almost feminist and in a way giving Janet her agency back. It’s a small moment but this makes this song one that Janet is allowed to own.
Magenta and Columbia:
You mean she only ever kissed?
Janet:
Yes!
Compare that to Magenta’s Uh-huh which felt mocking but replacing it with Janet saying Yes allows her to take ownership of this moment and saying I’m not gonna be shamed for it. It’s a small change but a brilliant change that gives this song back to Janet.
Once in a While
I will always remain sad that this song never made it into the movie and wow do I love this take. Once again, I can just feel the heartbreak of Brad. He’s just a poor sap that you can’t help but love.
Eddie’s Teddy
I am laughing at German accent DeLaria Dr. Scott. It is so over the top and ridiculous but it works to see the difference between her two roles. Also I’m pretty sure Dr. Scott broke the fourth wall during this number and acknowledged Dick Cavett which is hilarious.
Plane Schmanet – Wise Up, Janet Weiss
Okay, why did they have to make the name of the song so much longer. That’s a petty complaint imo but it bugs me. Again Hewitt is threatening as Frank but almost in a cartoon villain way which does work for Frank. Sorry tho, I still think Curry has the best version of this song.
Floor Show/Rose Tint My World
Ooh I am loving this as the opening sounds like it’s part of a Rocky Horror concept. I think I may have a crush on this Rocky, his voice is so swoon worthy. Thank you thank you, Brad once again during this number has the sound of someone fighting his sexuality. That is something that was missing from Shock Treatment but this revival understood the assignment.
Hewitt’s voice as Frank here has a sound of lusting. Which is interesting because as I pointed out, Curry’s Frank during Eddie/Eddie’s Teddy sounded as though he was lusting for Eddie whereas here, Hewitt’s Frank sounds as though he is lusting for the life of old Hollywood.
I’m Going Home
This is the song that anyone playing Frank has to nail and that is a tall bar to clear. I think Hewitt just reaches it and again he makes this song his own while remembering how melancholic this song is supposed to be. He understands that your heart is meant to break when hearing Frank singing this number.
Spaceship
Gotta be honest, I don’t think I’m familiar with this number. Oh it’s just a reprise of Time Warp which was in the movie but this sounds more cinematic. Yeah, really nothing more to say here.
Super Heroes
Look this is the fourth iteration of this song I’ve heard and I don’t think I’m ever gonna like this song. It’s fine and I think it is meant to commentate on everything Brad and Janet lost or in some ways gained while going through what they did.
Science Fiction Double Feature (Reprise)
Of course the show is bookended with a reprise of the opening number as it goes. I’m still over the moon at Daphne Rubin-Vega being in this.
Time Warp (Reprise)
Our true closer as you always want to send the audience out with a smile is Hewitt leading the audience in doing the Time Warp. Brilliant, just brilliant. Gawd, I would have had the biggest and dumbest smile on my face if I saw this revival.
This show deserved a better life than what it got. I adore this cast recording and truly wish I coulda seen this production in person. Join me next time as I look at…
The Rocky Horror Glee Show
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