Difference between revisions of "The Tiffany Troupe"

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[[File:TiffanyTroupe.jpg|400px|thumb|right|The Tiffany Troupe circa 1979]]
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[[File:TiffanyTroupe.jpg|400px|thumb|right|The Tiffany Troupe circa 1979 Left to Right: Patti Freiwald, Terri Hardin, Garrett Gafford, "Queen" George Hamilton ]]
 
[[File:TiffanyTroupeFeb81.jpg|250px|thumb|right|The Tiffany Troupe circa 1981]]
 
[[File:TiffanyTroupeFeb81.jpg|250px|thumb|right|The Tiffany Troupe circa 1981]]
 
[[File:3rd.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Flier for the 3rd Anniversary Show (start of 4th year)]]
 
[[File:3rd.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Flier for the 3rd Anniversary Show (start of 4th year)]]
 +
The Tiffany Troupe was the ''Rocky Horror'' performance group at the legendary [[Tiffany Theater]] from 1977 to 1983.<br>
 +
The Tiffany Troupe is featured in ''[[Creatures Of The Night: The Rocky Horror Picture Show Experience]]'' by [[Sal Piro]].<br>
 +
 
'''Cast Location:''' West Hollywood, CA
 
'''Cast Location:''' West Hollywood, CA
  
Line 10: Line 13:
 
'''Cast Venues:''' [[Tiffany Theater]]
 
'''Cast Venues:''' [[Tiffany Theater]]
  
−
'''Show Frequency''' Every Weekend - Twice nightly on Friday & Saturday
+
'''Show Frequency:''' Every Weekend - Twice nightly on Friday & Saturday
  
 
==Cast History==
 
==Cast History==
−
Not officially named or organized by current standards, "The Tiffany Troupe" was the ''Rocky Horror'' performance group at the legendary [[Tiffany Theater]] in West Hollywood, CA from 1977 to 1983. The Sunset Strip location became a sought-out destination by ''Rocky'' enthusiasts all over the world, and the theater itself gained a well-earned reputation early on as one of the most boisterous venues ever for ''[[The Rocky Horror Picture Show]]''. At its peak, the line began forming before 10 PM, as it was generally sold out long before the doors opened for the Midnight show, creating a need for 2 AM screenings on both Friday and Saturday (and Thursday at Midnight in the summer months).   
+
Not officially named or organized by current standards, "The Tiffany Troupe" was the ''Rocky Horror'' performance group at the legendary [[Tiffany Theater]] in West Hollywood, CA from 1977 to 1983. The [[Sunset Strip]] location became a sought-out destination by ''Rocky Horror'' enthusiasts all over the world, and the theater itself gained a well-earned reputation early on as one of the most boisterous venues ever for ''[[The Rocky Horror Picture Show]]''. At its peak, the line began forming before 10 PM, as it was generally sold out long before the doors opened for the Midnight show, creating a need for 2 AM screenings on both Friday and Saturday (and Thursday at Midnight in the summer months).   
  
−
The performers often referred to themselves as "The Group," (as in "I'm part of the group who performs") which later morphed into "The Troupe." The performance was known as "The Floor Show," which was the act before each screening, consisting of performing to the soundtrack LP, and occasionally other music that played as the audience filtered in and found their seats. The principle cast members generally took up the whole front row, though sitting on the floor in front of the front row or in the aisles became fairly standard for many long-time attendees who got into the theater without tickets, and spent as much time in the theater lobby as inside the auditorium watching the film. Although there was plenty of [[Audience Participation]] throughout each screening, it wasn't until the '80s that the entire film was acted out in front of the screen as it is today. The cast however, had regular, planned participation from their seats that went between the usual callbacks, much of which was developed because of the low profile of the Tiffany's screen, making it easy to make shadows directly into the movie. Most popular were creating shadows of the letters "J-A-N-E-T" from the back of the theater during "Dammit, Janet" by holding up marquee letters, or giant, shadow hands from the middle of the theater caressing Janet's breasts during "Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch Me‎‎,"  making the Tiffany LITERALLY the first place with a [[Shadowcast]].  Of course, virtually everyone got up to dance the Time Warp, and the cast members all danced and acted along to the pre-show videos of Tim Curry's "Paradise Garage" and "I Do The Rock."
+
Initially, the earliest performers often referred to themselves as "The Group," (as in "I'm part of the group who performs") which later morphed into "The Troupe." The performance was known as "The Floor Show," which was the act before each screening, consisting of performing to the soundtrack LP, and occasionally other music that played as the audience filtered in and found their seats. The principle cast members generally took up the whole front row, though sitting on the floor in front of the front row or in the aisles became fairly standard for many long-time attendees who got into the theater without tickets, and spent as much time in the theater lobby as inside the auditorium watching the film. Although there was plenty of [[Audience Participation]] throughout each screening, it wasn't until the '80s that the entire film was acted out in front of the screen as it is today. The cast however, had regular, planned participation from their seats that went between the usual callbacks. Much of the activity was developed because of the low profile of the Tiffany's screen, making it easy to make shadows directly into the movie. Most popular were creating shadows of the letters "J-A-N-E-T" from the back of the theater during "[[Dammit Janet]]" by holding up marquee letters, or giant, shadow hands from the middle of the theater cupping and caressing Janet's breasts during "[[Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch Me]]"-- making the Tiffany LITERALLY the first place with a [[Shadowcast]].  Of course, virtually everyone got up to dance "[[The Time Warp]]", and the cast members all danced and acted along to the pre-show videos of [[Tim Curry]]'s "Paradise Garage" and "I Do The Rock."
  
−
The earliest and longest performing Frank N Furter was [[Garrett Gafford]], an admitted transsexual, who at the time was saving up for the operation. The premiere Magenta was Terri Hardin, who at the time was a puppeteer for Sid and Marty Krofft. The lead performers remained in place, and the supporting players were generally replaced in a semi-formal manner, though many nights the rotation was free-form, and just about anyone who wanted to could take part in the performances.Part of the rotating nature of the cast was due to so many fans from so many different areas (regular or not) showing up in costume on any given night. The one constant was Garrett in the lead for most of the first 5 years. In 1982, ''[[Shock Treatment]]'' was added at Midnight on Thursdays and 2 AM on Saturday in place of ''Rocky Horror'', with the by-then more structured cast doing double-duty. The Tiffany Troupe gave their final performance on  March 13, 1983 when the Tiffany Theater was closed as a cinema.<br>
+
The longest performing Frank N Furter was [[Garrett Gafford]], an admitted transsexual, who at the time was saving up for the operation. The premiere Magenta was Terri Hardin, who at the time was a puppeteer for Sid and Marty Krofft. The lead performers remained in place, and the supporting players were generally replaced in a semi-formal manner, though many nights the rotation was free-form, and just about anyone who wanted to could take part in the performances.Part of the rotating nature of the cast was due to so many fans from so many different areas (regular or not) showing up in costume on any given night. The one constant was Garrett in the lead from early 1978 through mid 1981 when Garrett retired from performing. In 1982, ''[[Shock Treatment]]'' was added at Midnight on Thursdays and 2 AM on Saturday in place of ''Rocky Horror'', with the by-then more structured cast doing double-duty. The Tiffany Troupe gave their final performance on  March 13, 1983 when the Tiffany Theater was closed as a cinema.<br>
  
 
30 years after the theater closed, on March 9, 2013, a group of around 30 alumni of the group met up for the [[I Survived the Tiffany Reunion]]. The group convened for a group photo on the site where the abandoned theater stood on the Sunset Strip. The group then met for several hours of reminiscing at famed Canter's Deli, where many late-night/early-morning, post-Rocky gatherings were had from 1977-1983. Later that night, the group headed to the [[Nuart Theater]] for a midnight screening of ''The Rocky Horror Picture Show'', which was preceded by a special video culled from archival footage of the group.<br>
 
30 years after the theater closed, on March 9, 2013, a group of around 30 alumni of the group met up for the [[I Survived the Tiffany Reunion]]. The group convened for a group photo on the site where the abandoned theater stood on the Sunset Strip. The group then met for several hours of reminiscing at famed Canter's Deli, where many late-night/early-morning, post-Rocky gatherings were had from 1977-1983. Later that night, the group headed to the [[Nuart Theater]] for a midnight screening of ''The Rocky Horror Picture Show'', which was preceded by a special video culled from archival footage of the group.<br>
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'''Frank''':
 
'''Frank''':
−
*D. Garrett Gafford
+
*[[Garrett Gafford]] (aka D. Garrett Gafford)
 
*[[Michael Wolfson]]
 
*[[Michael Wolfson]]
 +
*Tammy Freiwald
 
*Michael Danke
 
*Michael Danke
 +
*Michelle Helseth
  
 
'''Janet:'''
 
'''Janet:'''
 
*Lisa McKinnis
 
*Lisa McKinnis
 
*Bobbi Snider  
 
*Bobbi Snider  
 +
*Tori (Last Name?)
 +
*Jamie Wayman
 
*Laura King
 
*Laura King
 
*Julie Reagan
 
*Julie Reagan
−
*Tori (Last Name?)
+
*Chris Sproull
  
 
'''Brad:'''
 
'''Brad:'''
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*Josh Bornstein  
 
*Josh Bornstein  
 
*[[Del Wells]]
 
*[[Del Wells]]
 +
*Dave Acosta
  
 
'''Riff Raff''':  
 
'''Riff Raff''':  
 
*Philo Barnhart
 
*Philo Barnhart
−
*"Queen" George Hamilton
+
*[[Cory Haibloom]]
 +
*[["Queen" George Hamilton]]
 +
*Mark Presley
 
*Tom Murphy
 
*Tom Murphy
 
*[[Richard Gifford]]  
 
*[[Richard Gifford]]  
 +
*John Cunningham
  
 
'''Magenta''':  
 
'''Magenta''':  
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*Karen Borter  
 
*Karen Borter  
 
*Joanna Morales
 
*Joanna Morales
 +
*Dawn Friewald
 
*Brandi Gifford  
 
*Brandi Gifford  
 
*[[Jill McManus]]
 
*[[Jill McManus]]
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'''Columbia''':
 
'''Columbia''':
 
*Elaine O'Rourke
 
*Elaine O'Rourke
 +
*Patti Freiwald
 
*Myrna (Last Name?)  
 
*Myrna (Last Name?)  
−
*Marc-e Gervais  
+
*Marc-e Gervais
−
*[[Michele Morris]]
+
−
*Lorri Rizzo
+
 
*[[Julie Ford]]  
 
*[[Julie Ford]]  
 +
*[[Michele Morris]]
 +
*Lori Rizzo
 +
*Shani Moore
  
 
'''Rocky:'''
 
'''Rocky:'''
 
*Brad Thompson  
 
*Brad Thompson  
 
*[["Queen" George Hamilton]]
 
*[["Queen" George Hamilton]]
 +
*Michael Danke
  
 
'''Eddie:'''
 
'''Eddie:'''
−
*Christine Grisanti
+
*[[Christine Grisanti]]
 +
*Mike Hansen
  
 
'''Dr. Scott:'''  
 
'''Dr. Scott:'''  
 
*[[Vid Kadavre]]
 
*[[Vid Kadavre]]
 +
*Dave Smithson
  
 
'''The Criminologist:'''  
 
'''The Criminologist:'''  
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'''Floorshow Columbia''':
 
'''Floorshow Columbia''':
 
*Lisa Kurtz Sutton
 
*Lisa Kurtz Sutton
 +
 +
'''Electric Xmas Brad''':
 +
*Jay Goldstein
  
 
'''American Gothic Farmer''':
 
'''American Gothic Farmer''':
 
*Lisa Kurtz Sutton
 
*Lisa Kurtz Sutton
  
−
'''Transylvanians & Other Participants''':
+
'''Transylvanians, Employees & Other Participants of Note''':
 
*[[Steve Laybourn Cartoon]]  
 
*[[Steve Laybourn Cartoon]]  
 
*Dawn Morrison  
 
*Dawn Morrison  
 
*Caron Leon
 
*Caron Leon
−
*Jay Goldstein
 
 
*Meredith Jacobson Marciano  
 
*Meredith Jacobson Marciano  
 
*Stacy Homan
 
*Stacy Homan
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*David Bryant
 
*David Bryant
 
*Brett Pearce  
 
*Brett Pearce  
 +
*Elliot Katz
 
*Terri Semper
 
*Terri Semper
 
*George Caceres
 
*George Caceres
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*Steve Fobert
 
*Steve Fobert
 
*[[Dennis Miller]]
 
*[[Dennis Miller]]
−
*Elliot Katz
 
 
*Leonard The Button Man
 
*Leonard The Button Man
 
*Ann The Button Lady
 
*Ann The Button Lady
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*Garrett Gafford
 
*Garrett Gafford
 
*Richard Gifford
 
*Richard Gifford
−
*Jim Cochrane
+
*Brandi Johnson
 +
*"Queen" George Hamilton
 +
*David Bryant
 +
*Tami Nelson
 
*Dawn Morrison
 
*Dawn Morrison
 
*Hilary Laddin
 
*Hilary Laddin
 +
*Brad Branson
 +
*Jim Cochrane
 
*Gilbert Shannon
 
*Gilbert Shannon
 
*Bonnie Rose
 
*Bonnie Rose
 
*Nora McGilliivray
 
*Nora McGilliivray
 +
*Tammy Freiwald
 +
*Dawn Freiwald
 
*David Cruikshank
 
*David Cruikshank
−
*Brandi Johnson
 
−
*Brad Branson
 
−
*"Queen" George Hamilton
 
  
 
==Special Shows==  
 
==Special Shows==  
 
* The Rocky Horror Picture Show 3rd Anniversary Floor Show featuring Costumes from the Roxy (June 6, 1980)
 
* The Rocky Horror Picture Show 3rd Anniversary Floor Show featuring Costumes from the Roxy (June 6, 1980)
−
* The Rocky Horror Picture Show Anniversary Floor Show featuring Barry Bostwick (June 19, 1981)
+
* The Rocky Horror Picture Show 4th Anniversary Floor Show featuring Barry Bostwick (June 19, 1981)
  
 
==Public Appearances==  
 
==Public Appearances==  
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* [[Wilshire Theater]], Fullerton CA (March 1979)
 
* [[Wilshire Theater]], Fullerton CA (March 1979)
 
* Rocky Horror Hair Show - Sherman Oaks, CA (Nov 1979)
 
* Rocky Horror Hair Show - Sherman Oaks, CA (Nov 1979)
−
* ''Fade To Black'' - Feature Film (1980)
+
* ''Fade To Black'' - Feature Film (1980) [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080711/]
−
* [[That's Hollywood - "Cult Classics"]] episode, ABC Television (1981)
+
* ''[[That's Hollywood - "Midnight Movie Mania"]]'' episode, ABC Television (1981)
−
* ''Vice Squad'' - Feature Film (1982)
+
* ''Vice Squad'' - Feature Film (1982) [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084861]
−
* Solid Gold - "''Step By Step''" by Eddie Rabbit (1983)
+
* ''Valley Girl'' - Feature Film (1983) [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086525]
 +
* ''Solid Gold'' -  "Step By Step" video clip by Eddie Rabbit (1983)
 
* [[I Survived the Tiffany Reunion]] (March 9, 2013)
 
* [[I Survived the Tiffany Reunion]] (March 9, 2013)
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
Rocky Horror At The Tiffany Theater [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7hL6WVGnFM]
 
Rocky Horror At The Tiffany Theater [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7hL6WVGnFM]

Latest revision as of 08:25, 10 October 2023

The Tiffany Troupe circa 1979 Left to Right: Patti Freiwald, Terri Hardin, Garrett Gafford, "Queen" George Hamilton
The Tiffany Troupe circa 1981
Flier for the 3rd Anniversary Show (start of 4th year)

The Tiffany Troupe was the Rocky Horror performance group at the legendary Tiffany Theater from 1977 to 1983.
The Tiffany Troupe is featured in Creatures Of The Night: The Rocky Horror Picture Show Experience by Sal Piro.

Cast Location: West Hollywood, CA

Cast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/183159695069949/

Cast Status: Legendary (Retired)

Cast Venues: Tiffany Theater

Show Frequency: Every Weekend - Twice nightly on Friday & Saturday

Cast History

Not officially named or organized by current standards, "The Tiffany Troupe" was the Rocky Horror performance group at the legendary Tiffany Theater in West Hollywood, CA from 1977 to 1983. The Sunset Strip location became a sought-out destination by Rocky Horror enthusiasts all over the world, and the theater itself gained a well-earned reputation early on as one of the most boisterous venues ever for The Rocky Horror Picture Show. At its peak, the line began forming before 10 PM, as it was generally sold out long before the doors opened for the Midnight show, creating a need for 2 AM screenings on both Friday and Saturday (and Thursday at Midnight in the summer months).

Initially, the earliest performers often referred to themselves as "The Group," (as in "I'm part of the group who performs") which later morphed into "The Troupe." The performance was known as "The Floor Show," which was the act before each screening, consisting of performing to the soundtrack LP, and occasionally other music that played as the audience filtered in and found their seats. The principle cast members generally took up the whole front row, though sitting on the floor in front of the front row or in the aisles became fairly standard for many long-time attendees who got into the theater without tickets, and spent as much time in the theater lobby as inside the auditorium watching the film. Although there was plenty of Audience Participation throughout each screening, it wasn't until the '80s that the entire film was acted out in front of the screen as it is today. The cast however, had regular, planned participation from their seats that went between the usual callbacks. Much of the activity was developed because of the low profile of the Tiffany's screen, making it easy to make shadows directly into the movie. Most popular were creating shadows of the letters "J-A-N-E-T" from the back of the theater during "Dammit Janet" by holding up marquee letters, or giant, shadow hands from the middle of the theater cupping and caressing Janet's breasts during "Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch Me"-- making the Tiffany LITERALLY the first place with a Shadowcast. Of course, virtually everyone got up to dance "The Time Warp", and the cast members all danced and acted along to the pre-show videos of Tim Curry's "Paradise Garage" and "I Do The Rock."

The longest performing Frank N Furter was Garrett Gafford, an admitted transsexual, who at the time was saving up for the operation. The premiere Magenta was Terri Hardin, who at the time was a puppeteer for Sid and Marty Krofft. The lead performers remained in place, and the supporting players were generally replaced in a semi-formal manner, though many nights the rotation was free-form, and just about anyone who wanted to could take part in the performances.Part of the rotating nature of the cast was due to so many fans from so many different areas (regular or not) showing up in costume on any given night. The one constant was Garrett in the lead from early 1978 through mid 1981 when Garrett retired from performing. In 1982, Shock Treatment was added at Midnight on Thursdays and 2 AM on Saturday in place of Rocky Horror, with the by-then more structured cast doing double-duty. The Tiffany Troupe gave their final performance on March 13, 1983 when the Tiffany Theater was closed as a cinema.

30 years after the theater closed, on March 9, 2013, a group of around 30 alumni of the group met up for the I Survived the Tiffany Reunion. The group convened for a group photo on the site where the abandoned theater stood on the Sunset Strip. The group then met for several hours of reminiscing at famed Canter's Deli, where many late-night/early-morning, post-Rocky gatherings were had from 1977-1983. Later that night, the group headed to the Nuart Theater for a midnight screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which was preceded by a special video culled from archival footage of the group.

Less than 6 months after the reunion, the Tiffany Theater was razed, to make way for a much-protested development of a hotel and multi-use building project.

Alumni Members

June 10, 1977 - March 13, 1983

Frank:

Janet:

  • Lisa McKinnis
  • Bobbi Snider
  • Tori (Last Name?)
  • Jamie Wayman
  • Laura King
  • Julie Reagan
  • Chris Sproull

Brad:

Riff Raff:

Magenta:

  • Terri Hardin
  • Diana Fitzgerald
  • Karen Borter
  • Joanna Morales
  • Dawn Friewald
  • Brandi Gifford
  • Jill McManus

Columbia:

Rocky:

Eddie:

Dr. Scott:

The Criminologist:

Trixie:

Space Suit Riff-Raff:

  • Mark Presley

Space Suit Magenta:

  • Jacquie Llywen
  • Terri Hardin

Floorshow Columbia:

  • Lisa Kurtz Sutton

Electric Xmas Brad:

  • Jay Goldstein

American Gothic Farmer:

  • Lisa Kurtz Sutton

Transylvanians, Employees & Other Participants of Note:

  • Steve Laybourn Cartoon
  • Dawn Morrison
  • Caron Leon
  • Meredith Jacobson Marciano
  • Stacy Homan
  • Michael Sugar
  • Meryl Senatt
  • David Bryant
  • Brett Pearce
  • Elliot Katz
  • Terri Semper
  • George Caceres
  • Jason Ward
  • Hale Fox
  • Cyn McKee
  • Al The Doorman
  • Steve Fobert
  • Dennis Miller
  • Leonard The Button Man
  • Ann The Button Lady
  • ...and JP The Button Dog

Absent Friends

  • Garrett Gafford
  • Richard Gifford
  • Brandi Johnson
  • "Queen" George Hamilton
  • David Bryant
  • Tami Nelson
  • Dawn Morrison
  • Hilary Laddin
  • Brad Branson
  • Jim Cochrane
  • Gilbert Shannon
  • Bonnie Rose
  • Nora McGilliivray
  • Tammy Freiwald
  • Dawn Freiwald
  • David Cruikshank

Special Shows

  • The Rocky Horror Picture Show 3rd Anniversary Floor Show featuring Costumes from the Roxy (June 6, 1980)
  • The Rocky Horror Picture Show 4th Anniversary Floor Show featuring Barry Bostwick (June 19, 1981)

Public Appearances

References

Rocky Horror At The Tiffany Theater [4]

Retrieved from "http://www.rockyhorrorwiki.org/wiki2/index.php?title=The_Tiffany_Troupe&oldid=19368"