A Jump to the Left: Albuquerque Little Theatre’s The Rocky Horror Show Delivers a Night of Camp, Chaos, and Nostalgia
I took "a jump to the left" last night when I headed out to Albuquerque Little Theatre's production of The Rocky Horror Show. With a sold-out opening night, the evening promised plenty of surprises, and it certainly delivered!
As the producer of Albuquerque's Rocky Horror shadowcast, Favorite Obsessions, I live, breathe, and eat Rocky every October, making The Guild Cinema feel like a second home. But this was a different experience. This was the live stage show, and that's a different animal altogether.
Callbacks and props feel different in a theater setting because the "show" is happening right there onstage. You're watching the performers bring the story to life rather than watching the film with a shadowcast recreating the action in front of the screen. Still, I appreciate that the production team wanted to combine the best of both worlds, making room for audience participation while allowing the live production to shine.
Before the festivities began, the Transylvani…excuse me, Phantoms, laid down the rules (f*ck the rules!) for the evening. Then Jasmine Sahd, pulling double duty as Magenta and the Usherette, opened the show with a killer performance of "Science Fiction/Double Feature." Sahd was a delight as Magenta, especially toward the end of "You're a Hot Dog," where she delivered a particularly entertaining moment. It was a strong start to an evening full of camp, comedy, and familiar favorites.
The talent kept shining throughout the production. Diego Salazar and Christy Burbank gave us wonderful performances as Brad and Janet. Their harmonies were on point, and the camp matched the material perfectly. They delivered every line, joke, and thrust masterfully. They understood the tone of Rocky Horror and leaned into it, giving the audience plenty to enjoy.
Jesse Miller, who has appeared in some of the strongest leading roles around town in recent years, including Evil Dead and Rent, was an exciting Riff Raff. His comic timing was chef's kiss, and he paired beautifully with Sahd. Their interactions had a natural rhythm that made their scenes especially entertaining.
Columbia is my favorite character, so I was particularly excited to see Maymie Mitchell take on the role. She absolutely did Columbia justice, both in her delivery and with her tap dancing. I love it when real tap is incorporated into a stage production! Mitchell was delightful, and I enjoyed every moment she was onstage. If I had one wish, it would be for her to push just a little further and add a bit more sparkle to take it completely over the top. Columbia is such a wonderfully exaggerated character, and there's room to go big!
Lando Ruiz was perfectly cast as the Narrator. One of the memorable performers from last year's Evil Dead, Ruiz killed it as the voice guiding us through the show, setting up the moments to come and reminding us of the consequences awaiting our participants. He knew exactly when to play it straight and when to lean into the humor. It takes a certain knack to keep a Rocky Horror audience engaged while maintaining that balance, and Ruiz did a great job.
Then there was a moment of particular pride for our Favorite Obsessions family. Jacob Chavez, who plays Brad in our shadowcast, took the stage as the Creature - Rocky Horror himself. Rocky is more than a body onstage; he shares his experience through voice and song, bringing a dimension to the character that audiences may not expect from the film alone. His moments with Janet were brilliant, and it was wonderful to see Chavez take on this opportunity.
Pete Bourland pulled double duty as Eddie and Dr. Scott. Opening night can bring a few nerves, and I felt that in some of his moments as Eddie. I expect that, as the run continues, he'll grow more comfortable, let a little more loose in those performances, and engage more with the audience, since we saw a bit too much of his back. Eddie thrives on energy and unpredictability, and there's room to turn up the volume. As Dr. Scott, however, Bourland did a terrific job, giving the character a strong presence.
And, of course, we have to talk about Frank-N-Furter.
Cameron Illidge-Welch was absolutely beautiful as the sweet transvestite from Transsexual, Transylvania. If Tim Curry and Luke Evans had a baby, Illidge-Welch would be the result! He brought his own version of Frank to the stage and left the audience gagging for more. Every line was executed flawlessly; the ad-libs didn't disappoint, and his tear-jerking performance of "I'm Going Home" was exquisite. He delivered the confidence, the charisma, and the emotional depth that make Frank such an unforgettable character. Illidge-Welch made all the Franks who came before him proud while giving us a Frank who was unmistakably his own.
And a standing ovation to the Phantoms! They have the difficult job of supporting the main cast while helping build the audience participation that makes Rocky Horror such a unique theatrical experience. It's a balancing act: keeping the energy high, supporting the action onstage, and encouraging the audience to join in without taking away from the production itself. They all did a wonderful job helping bring the world of Rocky Horror to life.
Behind the scenes, director Laura Cummins Wright should be proud of the production she brought together. She created a streamlined performance that was enjoyable and accessible while still embracing the show's outrageous spirit. Colin Burdge, as always, did wonderful work as musical director, helping the music hit the right notes throughout the evening. Annmarie Garcia Sheahan fused the choreography we know and love with her own vision, keeping it fresh while respecting the show's timeless appeal. And to Zoe Burke - if there is one show that would need an Intimacy Choreographer, this would be it. It added movement to the production and, I'm sure, helped the cast tremendously.
The costumes deserve their own round of applause. Avery Corpion Edwards and Toni Wu did wonderful work creating looks that fit the characters and the production while capturing the iconic style that Rocky Horror fans love. In a show where the visual details are part of the fun, the costumes help set the tone from the moment the characters appear.
All in all, Albuquerque Little Theatre's The Rocky Horror Show was a success, bringing nostalgia, laughter, and plenty of fun throughout the evening. As someone who spends October immersed in the world of Rocky Horror, I appreciated experiencing the story from a different perspective. A live stage production has its own rhythm and energy, and this one gave audiences plenty of reasons to celebrate.
It's no surprise that tickets sold quickly, but there are still tickets available for the midnight showing on Halloween. Do yourself a favor: treat yourself, dust off your fishnets, and see this show!
The Rocky Horror Show runs through October 31 at Albuquerque Little Theatre. Tickets are available at AlbuquerqueLittleTheatre.org.
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