(www.rockyhorrorlive.com). Nominated for 2001 Tony Awards for Best Musical Revival, Best Actor - Tom Hewitt, Best Director - Chris Ashley and Best Costume Designer - David Wooler, the return of "The Rocky Horror Show" to Broadway is indeed a triumph - especially since it's first outing in 1975 was a total flop!

Since the movie "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" has developed a HUGE cult following over the last 25 years, bringing the show back live was a daring move. Re-opening on Broadway on 11/15/2000, Rocky Horror has received rave reviews and the above mentioned Tony Award nominations. In my book that spells success. The show's staying power, from the time it opened on stage in London in 1973, through it's stint in L.A. in 1974 and the movie released in 1976, the entire "Rocky Horror Show" phenomenon has garnered the most attention because of the audience participation/interaction with the movie. Now they get to interact with a live cast and the zingers that come back from the actors have made the whole experience even more fun!  Although not too much of the audience reaction made it to the soundtrack, you do get to hear parts of what's happening there. 

Rather than talking about the show that I haven't seen, obviously this is a review of the soundtrack. However, I do suggest checking out that web site. It's a real kick ass site! A few notes on cast changes: Joan Jett is playing the part of Columbia, but Ana Gaysteyer from SNL will take over the role on June 12th. Also, starting on June 26th, Luke Perry will play the role of Brad Majors for 5 weeks. One other thing I'd like to mention, Tom Hewitt, who plays the role of Dr. Frank 'N Furter, is SO good you would swear Tim Curry was playing the role as he did in the film. His campiness is just awesome, and his singing sounds exactly like the movie. I just re-watched the video, so I know the comparisons to the album I'm making are right on.

The first thing you need to know is that this is a ROCK album! Yes, the same great songs are in the Broadway show, but they're all faster and totally rock out. A few songs from deleted scenes in the movie are also back in the live show. The album opens with a rock band playing what's called "Overture," but it's basically backing for a bit of "cheer leading" (Give me an R . . .what's that spell?), then moves immediately into "Science Fiction Double Feature." This is done along the lines of a '50s "doo-wop" type song with one of the backing vocals sounding exactly like the band "Sha-na-na." The whole album features great harmonies and backing vocals. Unfortunately, I can't tell from the liner notes who the lead vocalists are unless they're the obvious choices. I believe Daphne Rubin-Vega opens the show and she does a hell of a job. 

"Time Warp" is a real kick! I can't imagine anyone that hasn't heard this song at one time or another from the movie version, but the live song rocks even more than the movie. One of things I noticed on this particular song is that the solo parts are very character driven and the rest of the cast is killer singing their part. "Sweet Transvestite" is campy, fun and really gives you the treatment from Hewitt. I don't recall the song "The Sword Of Damocles" being sung by "Rocky Horror" in the movie. I remember the creature doing nothing but grunting. But, Sebastian LaCause as "Rocky" makes this song his own from the start. 

"Once In A While is one of the songs eliminated from the movie but included in the live show. It's pretty much the only song resembling a ballad on the entire album. Jarrod Emick (Brad) really emotes in this one. I've seen the scene deleted from the movie and this song is done MUCH better. It gets a little faster and has harmonies and full on backing vocals about half way through the song which really give it a richness missing from the deleted scene in the movie. "Eddie's Teddy" is partially spoken and word and partially sung by Lea DeLaria (as Dr. Scott) and ends up sounding up like a Meat Loaf song about half way through. It's done very well and is another kick.

Moving toward the end, well sort of, is "Planet Schmanet - Wise Up Janet Weiss." Tom Hewitt's vocal is totally wicked and sarcastic. It fits this song to perfection, since Frank 'N Furter is fed up with her whining. Because of all the harmonies and backing vocals, the rest of the songs (including "Planet Schmanet . . .") pretty much feature the entire cast. "Rose Tint My World/Floor Show" rocks out in a boogie-woogie manner, along with featuring a brief solo by each of the main characters. The "Floor Show" includes the famous "Don't Dream It, Be It." Director Chris Ashley kind of made this his motto when bringing the show back to Broadway. 

Another semi-ballad, "I'm Going Home," includes the rest of the cast as something similar to a gospel choir backing Frank 'N Furter as he sings/talks his way through this song. Once again Tom Hewitt shows his vocal range and it's pretty awesome. "Spaceship" is dominated by Raul Esparza (Riff Raff) and Daphne Rubin-Vega (Magenta) in a combination of spoken word, singing and the sound of the spaceship taking off. 

"Super Heroes" is from deleted scene from the movie sung by Brad and Janet. This is a slow, melancholy song as they watch the spaceship leave and sing about the sexual appetites they've acquired. An instrumental bridge leads into Dick Cavett (Narrator) speaking the final line about the human race.

A slower starting version of "Science Fiction Double Feature [reprise]," still in that doo-wop style. Tom Hewitt hollers to the audience "Would you like to hear a little Time Warp again" and he and the entire cast reprise "Time Warp" encouraging the audience to join in. This is a shorter version, but a great way to end the show and the album!