Last weekend, Ursinus Breakaway Student Productions (BSP) put on its performances of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which is not only an all-around theatrical classic but has become one to Ursinus specifically. This performance has quite the unique twist from usual theatrical performances, being a “shadow cast.” This means the performance is done in front of a film screen with a film version playing, while the actors act out scenes and lip-sync in tandem with the screen.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show is an iconic theatrical production that goes along with the 1975 film rendition that is used for shadow casts. Its story follows Brad & Janet, a couple whose car breaks down in Transylvania where they encounter a mad scientist and his posse. The plot, past this, is very hard to describe as it goes everywhere, in a very fun way. Some of the themes of the show explore concepts like sexual liberation and intentional campiness. The film is often considered a celebration of queer culture. This show is also known for being interactive, with experiences for the viewer in multiple scenes. This is just a little background – let’s talk more specifically about the show that BSP just put on.
From all accounts, it seems like the cast and crew had a great time working on this show, and it went very well last weekend. There are some unique challenges to doing this show because of the shadow cast. One cast member told me “Lip-syncing and not being able to make noise and actually say the lines was difficult for me, but also very fun! It allowed me to focus on my physicality as well as my facial expressions. It also was difficult lining up perfectly with the movie.” The cast and crew also bonded very much over the show, with some favorite memories being times at rehearsals, spending time together as a cast and crew, getting to put all of their hard work together into their performances when the time came, and just a fun time overall getting ready to put on this awesome show, as several members of the cast and crew have told me. Every cast and crew member I talked to said this would be a show they would always remember fondly, and that they all enjoyed working with each other very much on the show.
A BSP classic, The Rocky Horror Picture Show was a great success once again for the cast, crew, and everyone who had the privilege of watching and being involved. The cast and crew also created great memories making the show, which is equally, if not more important. Thank you Breakaway for putting on a great performance like always, we can’t wait to see what you have in store next!