Topic > Review of Dance Performance: The Rocky Horror Show

Rocky Horror follows the story of a couple who find themselves lost in the home of a Transylvanian scientist known as Doctor Frank-N-Furter. In this house they meet many wacky characters and witness the creation of a man named Rocky. The Rocky Horror Show was presented by the University of Texas at Dallas on November 7 at the University Theatre. The story was written by Richard O'Brien and choreographed by Micki Saba. The musical director was Mark Mullino. Overall, the intricate set design and interesting personalities of all the characters contributed to the overall bizarre and comedic plot. However, I found that the chaos created by the choreography and the conflict created a cohesive atmosphere, allowing the pieces to flow together effectively. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The piece in which the protagonists, Janet and Brad, first meet Dr. Frank-N-Furter is a great example of the use of chaos in dance as a choreographic element. The numerous characters introduced were all dressed in mismatched costumes, with the protagonists being the only two wearing bland, ordinary clothing. Music during this period was fast and the people of Transylvania danced to a fast pace from the beginning. The residents, or ghosts, were also scattered in several small groups or pairs and did not move synchronously as a whole. I would characterize this piece as a jazz dance, evident in the intricate footwork and syncopated rhythms it adapts at times. The time factor of their movement could be called sudden, and many dancers moved back and forth or from side to side abruptly. Their angular movements created by the rapid movements of the arms and legs allowed the movement to quickly stop and start again, adding to the overall disharmony of the piece. Some waltzed, others swayed their shoulders, and the movements varied wildly. Because many dancers performed different movements at the same time, a sense of disorder was created that only emphasized Janet and Brad's feelings of fear and not belonging to the strange group. As this piece continues, Janet and Brad begin to understand the dynamic of the group. They begin to change their clothes to reflect the carefree nature of their peers and find their movement within the group. That doesn't mean they moved the same way, but rather Janet and Brad found their own unique movements that fit well with the overall scheme of the piece. Ironically, the wildness and anarchy were used to illustrate the group's harmony and reflect how the characters interacted with each other. Establishing this relationship at the beginning of the dance illustrated the protagonists' internal battle between sticking to their "norms" instead of letting go and giving in to carelessness. In a way, the chaotic atmosphere was used to unite the characters and tie the story together.