The Roxy Cast (I)
The Rocky Horror Show - Original Roxy Cast was the Original Los Angeles production of The Rocky Horror Show.
American producer Lou Adler attended a performance of The Rocky Horror Show with then-girlfriend, Britt Ekland, while in London.
Liking what he saw and looking for a cabaret act for his Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles, Adler met backstage with producers and within 36 hours had secured the American theatrical rights. The show premiered at the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles on March 24, 1974. Tim Curry from the Original London Cast reprised his role of Frank N Furter, along with American actors in the remaining roles. Among those in attendance for the premiere were John Lennon, May Pang, Mick & Bianca Jagger, Roman Polanski, Jack Nicholson, Anjelica Huston and Cher. The show had a very successful 9-month run, ending on January 5, 1975.
In October, singer/songwriter Paul Jabara (later famous for writing "It's Raining Men") replaced Curry in the lead when he and Meat Loaf went to film The Rocky Horror Picture Show. (Richard O'Brien's take on the role of Herod in the London cast of Jesus Christ Superstar, in place of Paul Jabara, is what got Richard fired so he had the time to write The Rocky Horror Show in the first place.)
An Original Los Angeles Cast LP was recorded and released on Ode Records in 1974. Legendary L.A. session musicians, known as the The Wrecking Crew, played on the soundtrack LP. These musicians played on countless commercial releases including LPs by The Monkees, The Partridge Family, The Carpenters and The Beach Boys. A 7" single release of "Sweet Transvestite" backed with "I'm Going Home" was released in 1974 with a picture sleeve that matched the LP cover art. In 1990, the soundtrack was released as part of The Rocky Horror Picture Show 15th Anniversary Box Set.
On March 10, 1975, the production opened at the Belasco Theatre in New York City, featuring Richard O'Brien reprising his role as Riff Raff.
The production was not successful and closed on April 5, 1975 after 45 performances.
Contents
Ode Records Catalog Number
SP 770265 (77051)
Original Roxy Cast
Tim Curry - Dr. Frank N Furter
Abigale Haness - Janet Weiss
B. Miller (aka Bill Miller, now known as Michael Fontaine)- Brad Majors
Bruce Scott - Riff Raff
Jamie Donnelly - Magenta/Usherette
Boni Enten - Columbia
Kim Milford - Rocky Horror
Meat Loaf - Eddie/Dr. Scott
Graham Jarvis - The Narrator
Susan Morse - Phantoms/Chorus/Understudy
Alan Martin - Understudy
John Mark Robinson - Understudy
Secondary Roxy Cast
Paul Jabara - Frank N Furter
Beverly Bremers - Janet Weiss
B. Miller (aka Bill Miller, now known as Michael Fontaine)- Brad Majors
Bart Braverman - Riff Raff
Jamie Donnelly - Magenta/Usherette
Boni Enten - Columbia
Tony Hoty - Eddie/Dr. Scott
Jimmy Sbano - Rocky Horror
Ray Stewart - The Narrator
Susan Morse - Phantoms/Chorus/Understudy
Alan Martin - Understudy
John Mark Robinson - Understudy
Show Credits
Book, Music and Lyrics by Richard O'Brien
Directed by Jim Sharman
Set Design by Brian Thomson
Musical Director - D'Vaughn Pershing
Arranged by Richard Hartley
Costumes Designed by Sue Blane
Lighting by Chipmunk
Sound Design by Abe Jacob
Production Stage Manager - David H Banks
General Manager - Brian Avnet
Associate Producer - John Beug
Costumes Executed by Larry Lefler
Set Constructed by Wayne Hazelhurst
Casting by Otto & WIndsor Ltd and Joel Thurm
LP Credits
Produced by Lou Adler
Engineer: Hank Cicalo
Asst. Engineer: Milt Calice
Recorded at A&M Studios
Keyboards: David Foster, Larry Knechtel, D'Vaughn E. Pershing
Guitars: Daniel Kortchmar, Dean Parks, Thomas J."Tommy" Tedesco
Drums: Hal Blaine
Bass: Joe Osbourne
Horns arranged and played by: James R. Horn, Trevor Lawrence, Steven P. Madiano
Percussion: Gary Coleman
Musical Director: D'Vaughn E. Pershing
Art Direction: Ode Visuals
Design: Des Strobel/AGI
Photography: Richard Fegley
Cover Illustration by Michael English
