Starring in Jobsite’s production of The Rocky Horror Show has extra significance for Clay Christopher.
He’ll be stepping into a role originated by one of his favorite actors, Tim Curry.
“I am a huge, huge Tim Curry fan,” Clay said, “his artistry, his films, his work, just him.”
Clay became a fan of Curry’s for his roles in FernGully: The Last Rainforest (Curry voiced the villain Hexxus), Muppet Treasure Island (Curry played Long John Silver) and Clue. Then, Clay discovered an early Curry role which was a bit different from The Muppets.
“I came across this weird-looking film where Tim Curry is very young and dressed in drag,” Clay said. “I had to rent it.”
That film was, of course, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, starring Curry as mad, corset-clad scientist Frank N. Furter.
Clay is stepping into those outrageous high heels in Jobsite’s production of The Rocky Horror Show, the theatrical production that spawned the film, and where Curry originated the Frank N. Furter role.
His castmate, Heather Krueger, discovered Rocky Horror through the soundtrack, which she heard at “a probably inappropriately young age.”
“I liked anything that was theatrical and musical at the same time,” Heather said. “I didn’t even understand what I was singing along to, but I was singing along with it.”
Heather eventually saw the film, at a more appropriate age, and later appeared as Janet in the Straz Center’s 2008 production of Rocky Horror. It’s where she met Spencer Meyers, an actor who is group sales manager for The Straz. This time around he’ll be playing Riff Raff, brother of Heather’s Magenta.
“That’s when our friendship began so it feels full circle for us to do this together,” Heather said.
Heather has discovered that Magenta has a strong fan base among Rocky Horror fans, joking “the pressure’s on. Oh, crap.”
She believes, though, that “Magenta’s definitely more my personality than Janet was.”
If Magenta’s a good fit for Heather, Clay’s concerns about fit are focused on his shoes.
Clay’s original costume included 5-inch stiletto heels – until he tried them on.
“I told our wonderful costumer Katrina (Stevenson), ‘I’m not going to be able to do a full show in stilettos. I’m good. I’m not that good.’’’
Clay figures he needs “something more like a wedge or a steel reinforced heel.”
Clay no doubt would have problems fitting into the shoes or any other part of the Frank costume worn by his hero, Curry, who stands about 5’8”.
“I’m 6’4″, 220 pounds,” Clay said with a laugh. “I’m going to need something strong or else if I fall, somebody’s going to fall with me.”
Jobsite’s The Rocky Horror Show runs July 10-Aug. 4 in the Jaeb Theater. Click here for tickets.