For the record...

Yes, I went to go see Rocky Horror at the Spa Little Theatre in Saratoga Springs. It was nothing like it should have been, but I had a pretty good time. I showed up a little early and spent some time talking to Billy on my cell in the parking lot thinking maybe I'm in the wrong place. Everyone was walking into the building wearing normal clothes or normal Halloween costumes. Luckily, I was wearing a full-length coat, so I didn't look like a total freak. When I got off the phone, I went up to the building.

It took a couple minutes to get up the courage to walk inside - finally someone was wearing thigh-high stockings - I would not be the sluttiest dressed person in the building! I paid my $5 but decided I would not take off my coat or stay unless I found someone, anyone, wearing a corset. I tried the left entrance to the theatre. No luck. Showtime was 10PM. I'd give it 'til then at least. I walked around in the lobby for a bit. Then I tried the other door to the theatre. Success! I see a man in fishnets and a corset! I immediately went up and introduced myself. Sadly, he was the only one to be appropriately dressed for the evening. But he was hanging out with aforementioned girl in thigh high stockings (with red slip dress) and a woman in a corset (though it was more of a witch costume).

On the up side, I now had people to stand around with, even if I can't remember their names now (I so should have written them down when I got home). It turns out this was a movie screening (without accompanying stage show) that had been thrown together pretty last minute (by the man in the corset's wife, go figure). There had been very little advertising. So all things considered, it turned out to be a pretty good turnout. About half the audience were 'virgins' but there were several outspoken individuals leading the audience participation. Fire, liquids, and greasy materials were not permitted, but rice was thrown.

Seeing as how this was a theatre with a screen set up on the stage, anyone who wanted to get up on stage was permitted to. There was no one up there for the first part of the show - though the audience loudly sang along with the first few songs. Then it was time warp time. I'd say about a dozen people got up on stage. Seeing as how I was now on stage with the man in the corset, it shouldn't be surprising that he starting acting out Riff Raff's part. I did a bit of Magenta so he had someone to work with. Everyone got pretty into the dance number - even the people down in the seats. But when it got to Columbia's solo, I discovered a line or two in that no one else on stage was singing anymore. I had been at far stage left, but everyone to the right of me had moved out of the way and was crouching down clapping or pounding the stage with their fists. Some of them waived me over to center stage. I realize most people don't know the words to that section, but I was still a bit surprised to suddenly be the focus of attention. Which also obligated me to attempt to tapdance (thank you lessons I took in second grade!). I must say it was pretty cool actually being up on stage and applauded. And a bit weird having lots of cameras flashing at me.

The man in the corset did a bit of strutting to sweet transvestite, but most of the show did not involve stage presence. However, when Hot Patootie came on, a guy who'd dressed as sid vicious for Halloween took the stage. That's close enough to Eddie for this audience. I'd done Columbia once, and I couldn't resist giving it a second round (this dude was audience participation ringleader and new all the moves). I can't believe how pumped the audience got about our little swing number. I can't say I really new what I was doing, but that's not as important in partner dancing - you just go where the guy leads. Thankfully, he was giving me instructions for when to spin during the footwork, and where to swing my legs during the lifts. I'd say we actually did a pretty good job. I'm sure somewhere on the internet there are now all sorts of pictures of me up on that stage. But I can't say any of them are embarrassing. I'm pretty proud of my performances. I wasn't in any risk of bouncing out of my top and I was smart enough to wear shorts under my dress.

The second half of the movie was a lot mellower, although a few people did take the stage for the floor show. I didn't feel like going up again, but was happy to see girl in the thigh high stocking work up the nerve to go do Janet. Sid/Eddie cracked the audience up doing Columbia when he realized neither I nor anyone else had gone up to do the part.

I didn't bring my camera with me (I didn't want to bring a purse and was afraid of losing it). But it's not like I could have taken pictures of myself on stage anyway. At the end of the night everyone just kind of left, so I didn't get a chance to exchange email addresses to get copies of pictures like I'd planned. I attempted to take a few pictures of myself when I came home. Here's one that kind of turned out so you can see my outfit.