Tis the season for The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The 1975 cult classic comes to life every year across the country as theatre troupes put on performances, typically shadow casts which involve actors playing out the scenes while the movie screens behind them. The performances are a ritual in and of itself, as audience members become activated as actors move about the crowd.
Typically San Marcos Rocky Horror fans would have to venture out to Austin or San Antonio to catch a show but for the second year in a row the crew at Triple Six Social is bringing Transylvania to San Marcos.
The Rocky Horror Shadowcast is an 18+ performance running in the openair stage area behind the cafe located at 329 Cheatham St. The show runs all October with upcoming dates including Oct. 24, and their Halloween show on the 31. There will be a final run of the show on Nov. 7 to give those who work during Halloween a chance to catch it one last time. The shows start at 8 p.m. with doors at 7 p.m. and a pre-show at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are only $10 and go directly to the cast and crew with reservations available online at triplesixsocial. com. Guests are encouraged to bring their own chair or enjoy the performance picnic style on blankets. No outside food and drink are allowed but a full menu of coffees, teas and bubbly delights can be purchased in the cafe alongside food and treats.
The production is a spectacle, with actors fully committed to their character, through costume and performance. The whole character lineup is brought to life including Frank-N-Furter, Riff Raff, Eddie, Rocky, and of course Brad and Janet. The mastermind behind the production is Triple Six Socials 22 year-old general manager Quil Fire Solace. Not only did they direct and organize the production, but they performed as Eddie, a character made notorious by Meat Loaf ’s portrayal in the 1975 movie.
Quil has been with the cafe from even before opening day. The owner Andrea met Quil while vending in Austin, they quickly became friends and Andrea recruited them to help open up the shop. The Cheatham Street location was originally a bank which Andrea transformed into the goth cafe sanctuary that it is today. Over the short time it’s been open the response to the store has exploded, quickly becoming a destination for those in Central Texas looking for a good coffee and a spooky time. Their social media presence has exploded, with Quil being recognized outside of work.
“We didn’t know what kind of community we were going to cultivate or anything here. We just knew that people missed having a safe space to go to,” Quil said. “We didn’t even realize how special that would mean to people, or how special it would mean to us, I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else.”
This is the second production year for Rocky Horror at the cafe and as any independent production goes it was met with challenges as well as triumphs. The reception from the first year was ecstatic, with the cafe selling out their Halloween show. The opening night this year was a return to form, with almost 100 fans filing in to see the performance.
“There is such a huge community from Rocky Horror in San Marcos and I didn’t even know that, whenever I brought it up to [Andrea], that there was this huge community here, but it just somehow found its way,” Quil said.
Quil was introduced to Rocky Horror through the Glee TV show themed episode but it wasn’t until seeing Adam Lambert play Eddie in the 20th Century Fox remake that Quil was inspired and called to the production and character of Eddie. The inspiration simmered until six months into the cafe when Quil asked Andrea if they could organize a Rocky Horror production. The challenges were immense, being based in Austin, Quil was new to the San Marcos scene. With the help of the San Marcos Queer Council they were able to get the word out and find performers.
“One person showed up and they were amazing. They played the character so well and I don’t even think they knew what a shadow cast was. They thought they were acting it out and speaking and everything and so we were like, ‘That’s not what this is, but you’re perfect,’” Quil said.
The word was out and this year many talented performers tried out for the production.
“Because we have that lowbudget, I just wanted to make the shadow cast as funny as possible,” Quil said. “When it comes to the characters for the shadow cast, I wanted every single character to be curated to the person who is playing them.”
This creative freedom allowed the cast to explore and experiment with their characters.
“It’s crazy to see how people’s imaginations flow when you give them freedom like that,” Quil said.
“I think a bigger part of it isn’t just the show. I think it’s having that community and a community of all ages too,” Quil said. “I’m just glad that we can cultivate a space for everybody to feel safe and comfortable.”
