by Lorie Lewis Ham
The Selma Arts Center is presenting The Rocky Horror Show for a special two night event/fundraiser the end of this month. We sat down with the show’s director, Michael Flores, to chat about the show itself, and with Christina Robles to talk about the Halloween Ball taking place before the second performance.
KRL: Why did SAC decide to do The Rocky Horror Show and why did you want to direct it?
Michael: The Rocky Horror Show was the first show I signed up to audition for fresh out of high school back in 2013 being fairly green to the community theatre scene, back then I ended up not showing up to the audition because I was too nervous. Since then I’ve always had an interest to put on this show and so, luckily at the Selma Arts Center you’re able to pitch any fundraising/special engagement to the board. So, when I had expressed interest in doing Rocky Horror for Halloween for a limited run and use it as a fundraiser for our 2019 season the council agreed [that] it would be a great idea. It is not only helping raise funds for future productions but also in conjunction with the upcoming production of A Midsummer Nights Dream at SAC.
KRL: So far, what has been the greatest challenge in directing this show?
Michael: So far, there have not been many challenges in putting on this show, other than time. Since it’s a two night only event, we have a very limited rehearsal time. Fortunately, I have a seasoned cast that is up for the challenge and have taken it on without hesitation. We are all working very hard to put on something truly epic this Halloween!
Daniel Lajune and Emma DenBesten who play Brad Majors and Janet Weiss in Selma Arts Center’s production of “The Rocky Horror Show”
KRL: What has been the most fun?
Michael: The most fun has been working with a cast and production team that I have admired and worked with through the last couple of years. Many of us have done shows together before, but not all at once. From our company meeting until now, we have had an understanding with the demands of comfort and openness we need to have with one another in the show. There are a lot of intimate moments between everyone in the cast, so having that trust is crucial.
KRL: Why just two performances?
Michael: The show is two performances only because it is a fundraiser/Special engagement. It is not apart of SAC’s 2018 season, but merely something special for this Halloween season for local Rocky fans out there, and for a great cause!
KRL: Will we see anything in this performance that maybe we hadn’t seen in other Rocky Horror productions before?
Michael: This particular production is special because what I’ve done with the help of Kyle Lowe is merge film and stage. Selected scenes throughout the show are actually filmed and will be projected during the show so it’ll kind of be like watching a movie and a musical at the same time. I’m always looking to add filming and video to my shows so it seemed like the perfect fit to remake and film some of the scenes and place them selectively throughout the show, and pay homage to the cult classic film version of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Cast of “The Rocky Horror Show” at Selma Arts Center
KRL: Who is the in the cast?
Michael: The cast is filled with some very talented people including Terry Lewis, Camille Gaston, Alex Figueroa, Abigail Nolte, Aaron Pierce, Emma DenBesten, Daniel Lajune, Juan Luis Guzman, Nicolette Andersen, Damen Pardo, Marissa Brandon, Mallory Parker, Ben Deghand, Julia Prieto, Dakota Simpson, Lance Manibog, Alina Gonzalez, Jacquie Wilson Broach, and myself! You’ve probably seen these familiar faces in other productions throughout Fresno, Selma, and Visalia!
KRL: Who is doing the costumes?
Michael: Costumes are being done by the multi talented Alex Figueroa who is also playing Riff Raff in the show. Alex has a very specific vision on his costume design while staying true to some of the iconic pieces from the stage show and movie, yet adding a modern twist. I can’t wait for everyone see it all come together.
Alex Figueroa who plays Riff Raff in “The Rocky Horror Show” at Selma Arts Center
KRL: What are the details for those who would like to attend?
Michael: On Friday, October 26, traditional Rocky Horror props will be available at the concessions stand so audience members can get in on the fun. We encourage guests to dress their Transylvanian best when attending the performance! Doors open at 7:30 p.m. with showtime at 8 p.m. On Saturday, October 27, we invite you to attend a special Halloween costume ball before the performance. Admission grants you entry into the party featuring games, drinks, and music, plus a costume contest with fabulous prizes! You’re also guaranteed a seat for the performance of The Rocky Horror Show! Doors open and party kicks off at 9:30 p.m. with showtime at 11:30 p.m.
Camille Gaston as Magenta
Ticket prices are-Friday, October 26 – $20 and Saturday, October 27 – $30 (includes admission to the costume ball)
The Rocky Horror Show is Rated R. Tickets are available by calling 559.891.2238, by visiting selmaartscenter.com or at the Selma Arts Center box office located at 1935 High Street, Selma, CA 93662. Box office hours are Tuesday–Friday, 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Tickets will also be available at the door for the same price until sold out.
For more details on the Halloween Ball, we spoke with Christina Robles, who is in charge of the ball.
KRL: I understand that the second performance of The Rocky Horror Show will also include a Halloween costume ball-can you tell us more about this?
Christina: Halloween is always such a fun holiday, which we believe pairs perfectly with Rocky Horror. We thought having a Halloween Ball would be a great way to allow our patrons to not only watch the fun, but also participate and dress up, dance and have a great time! The Ball will be held Saturday, October 27 starting at 9:30 p.m. prior to the show and will feature finger foods, specialty Halloween cocktails, dancing, a costume contest, and of course, the show!
KRL: What are the logistics of how this works together with the show?
Christina: Rocky Horror is such a gloriously macabre musical filled with spectacular costuming, such lively and timeless music and opportunities for audience interaction (for you frequent visitors to “The Frankenstein Place”), so we would be amiss not to let our audience join in the dress up fun on the cusp of All Hallows’ Eve. 
KRL: What is your role in planning this and what so far has been the biggest challenge?
Christina:My main undertaking for planning this event was to bring to our audience the feeling and the atmosphere of this amazing upcoming season for the Selma Arts Center. With each new year, we as an Art Center seek to evolve and adapt to new and more exciting projects and this special showing of Rocky Horror along with our Halloween Ball, will surely build anticipation for what’s to come.
KRL: Will there be a costume contest as well?
Christina: There will absolutely be a costume contest! We encourage all attending to please dress up! First prize will be a pair of season tickets to the 2019 Selma Arts Center Season.
KRL: Who came up with the idea of having a ball?
Christina: Casey Ballard, the director of Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream, our next show to dawn the stage of the Selma Art Center, and I felt it would be a great way to begin bridging the gap between the mortal world and the mystical world by bringing a Halloween Ball. Allowing adults to celebrate and play in the world of lore, abstract wonder and the magical is what inspired her concept for her upcoming show.
Ticket prices for The Rocky Horror Show are-Friday, October 26 – $20 and Saturday, October 27 – $30 (includes admission to the costume ball)
The Rocky Horror Show is Rated R. Tickets are available by calling 559.891.2238, by visiting selmaartscenter.com or at the Selma Arts Center box office located at 1935 High Street, Selma, CA 93662. Box office hours are Tuesday–Friday, 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Tickets will also be available at the door for the same price until sold out.
If you love local theatre, be sure to check out our new Mysteryrat’s Maze Podcast, which features mysteries read by local actors. The first 8 episodes are now up! You can check the podcast out on iTunes and Google Play, and also on podbean. Also check out our other theatre articles and reviews in our Arts and Entertainment section.
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