There are very few things in this life I consider myself to be an expert on, but Frankenstein is absolutely one of them. It’s by blessed coincidence that I also happen to be a gay theater kid who loves musicals—thus I am the living bullseye that is The Rocky Horror Picture Show. This absolutely bizarre 1975 film is the cult classic film—bombing at the box office only to become the staple of late night showings at theaters everywhere. It’s particularly known for developing the brilliant form of lunatic theater known as a shadow cast where folks in costume act out the film in front of the movie as it plays. It’s a rowdy and ridiculous good time.

Rocky Horror is a distillation of Frankenstein through the lens of queer, shlock horror, paying homage to B Horror movies of the 50s and 60s while also proudly displaying openly queer people and behavior—albeit in a technically problematic manner—at a time where that wasn’t really done in movies. In the film, Dr. Frankenfurter makes his “Monster,” a beautiful blonde muscle model named Rocky who’s all beef and half a brain while a young traditional heterosexual couple get swept up in the chaos and their lives entirely turned around by the colorful and liberating world of joy and pleasure Frankenfurter shows them.

It’s a strange film. I love it completely.

Of course, it’s not just blind adoration that keeps this movie in my heart. Its place in the Frankenstein cannon cannot be denied. Frankenfurter is a fascinating take on Victor Frankenstein as Frankenfurter is the inversion of Victor. Victor Frankenstein is horrified by his creature and rejects it, while Frankenfurter is immediately smitten and fully embraces his creation. Where Victor Frankenstein’s character is defined by his fear and shame, Frankenfurter is unabashed and uninhibited, reveling in the person they are for everyone to see.

The most famous line from Rocky Horror is “don’t dream it, be it,” sung by Frankenfurter during the ending floor show. It’s a perfect snapshot of who Frank is. His urge is don’t just fantasize about what you want or who you want to be, do it. Embrace it and become it. It’s a call to live it without shame from the mouth of an openly queer character, and it is powerful. It’s exactly what draws weird and queer theater kids like me to this movie. Like Frank to Brad and Janet, Rocky Horror offers us the space to be as much as we want to be with no shame, something we don’t get much of in our lives.

I’ve been a part of the local shadow casts for the past six years, and every time it’s a delight. I’ve played several different characters, but I’ve only played Frankenfurter twice—and both times I was planning to play someone else! Frank is such a character of unabashed confidence and is on stage for most of the film—not to mention is the audience favorite and thus will be judged with the most scrutiny. It’s the character everyone comes to see. The first time I didn’t even think I’d be considered. Despite having done shows for four years, I felt I hadn’t earned the right yet. Frank was the character. Who was I to wear those fishnets?

According to our director, I was exactly the right person. So I endeavored not to let him down. The day of the performance, I had my heels on and my corset tight and silently began to panic. A fellow performer—much more seasoned than me and had played Frank before—took pity on me and started giving me a pep talk. She looked me dead in the eyes and said “Remember: Everyone in that audience wants to f*ck you.” This is essentially the Rocky Horror version of “imagine everyone in the crowd in their underwear.” Because I was right, everyone was here to see Frank—to see me. Which meant I was the one in control. It was my show, my castle, my monster, my floor show. I tapped into that unbridled confidence and pride, strutted to the back of the theater, and gave that show everything I had.

It was a fantastic show. And while there’s things I’d do differently, I had so much fun. Frank is a character to revel in. It’s over the top, it’s ridiculous, it’s the center of attention, and I love it. It’s certainly not something I would’ve thought for myself when I was younger, but it’s truly one of my favorite things I’ve gotten to do as an adult!

But Frank alone does not a full Rocky show make. It takes a full roster of lunatics to get anything off the ground. The cast can range from any gender, race, sexuality, shape, or ability for any role. It is such a team effort, and I cannot stress that enough. Everyone puts on the fishnets, everyone runs around the theater like a lunatic, and we keep coming back to do it every time. It’s such an aggressively welcoming space where as long as you have the guts to show up and play along, you’re in.

For me personally, being a part of Rocky shadow casts has been a journey as a performer. I started out as a nervous kid who was just excited to be a part of a majority queer space and liked attention. The first time I was asked to be Frank I was honestly terrified and didn’t know if I’d live up to it, and with my cast’s help I rocked it. This latest performance, I not only played Frank but I also helped run the show! I emceed and assisted with sorting behind the scenes chaos. It was amazing. It felt like a homecoming, frankly. Playing Frank felt so right. What other chances do you get to be the unabashed center of attention like that? It was marvelous, getting to revel on that stage, play with the audience, and strut down the aisles without any fear. I’m not dreaming anymore. I’m just being.

And now our cast has all these new kids coming in, just as nervous and excited as I was when I started! I get to be the one to give the peptalk and help them get their fishnets on. I can’t wait to watch them grow as performers. I especially can’t wait for when one of them gets to play Frank for the first time—when they can finally stop dreaming it and get to be it.

1 Comment

  1. Sam

    Excellent piece my friend. I wondered how long it would take you to write about something Queer or Frankenstein, and here you are doing both! I wish I could leave a nice Rocky Horror reference in this comment, but alas, I am a RH virgin. I feel a little bit like it’s your fault, but don’t hold it against you 🙂

    Reply

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