Jim Dolan has thrown down some slam dunks with Sphere. U2 to open the place. Metallica is coming in. The Eagles are continuing through November. Score, score, score, for the man who owns the Knicks and calls the shots at Bulbous Wonder.
But Sphere’s executive chairman and CEO has thrown his first knuckleball, announcing ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show” for the venue in 2027.
Dolan was effusive in his optimism for this project. The Sphere’s wizard (who wore such an outfit at “Wizard of Oz’s” opening last year) doesn’t always lend his verbiage to incoming productions. But he was all over the cult classic starring Dr. Frank N. Furter and friends.
“Since ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ premiered in 1975, it redefined audience participation and became a cultural phenomenon,” Dolan said. “With Sphere, we have the opportunity to take that spirit of immersion to an entirely new level.”
“Rocky Horror” has gained a cult following, all right — through midnight showings and raw live performances. This venue has a separate charge.
I chatted with Majestic Repertory Theatre founder Troy Heard about Sphere’s plans. His thoughts were in line with my own about Dolan’s escapade.
“I was really surprised,” Heard said in a phone conversation. “I thought I thought it was going to be something like ‘Empire Strikes Back,’ not ‘Rocky Horror.’ I grew up on it. I directed the live show twice. It’s the reason I got into this weird, culty s-—. It’s in my DNA.”
And?
“‘Rocky Horror’ is the last thing I ever thought they would program.”
Through this summit, and others with “Rocky” devotees, I’ve conjured a wish list of what we hope to experience at Sphere’s “Rocky Horror”:
— Midnight showings: Lure the crowd into this movie in its traditional time slot. The later, the better, actually. I’m feeling this time slot is in play, toggling with “Wizard of Oz” and the headliners (Metallica, especially, leading into the “Horror” show).
— Live action: Giant, drone-powered Frank N. Furters floating, sneering, dropping cards and tossing rice (or confetti) would fit the mood. And (as previously noted) drop spongy slices of toast on the crowd.
— A wide-open floor section: The GA section is not open for “Wizard,” but should be here. You have to dance the “Time Warp” in an open area. Thrusting and swiveling in the raked confines of Section 200 is no easy feat, especially after midnight.
— Activation in the Atrium: Borrow from the Wizard’s Chamber scene for those entering and exiting “Wizard of Oz.” A live re-enactment of Ralph and Betty’s wedding scene, with a custom-designed Las Vegas chapel (and I can only think of about a dozen downtown for inspiration). This would be a fantastic nod to VegasVille history, and a deserved plug for our small businesses.
— Relaxing the rules on items allowed inside: Newspapers — I’ll haul RJ newsstands to the entryway myself — rubber gloves, flashlights, toilet paper, confetti, party hats, tiny bells, playing cards, all should be allowed and welcomed. Otherwise, what’s the point?
— Bustiers at merch: And fishnets, pearl chokers, black tail coats, white vests, rainbow tutus, biker jackets and fishnet arm sleeves. If BTS can sell those illuminated ARMY Bombs for $70, “Rocky” would make a killing with this stuff.
— Costume contest: Post-show, informal, winner determined by crowd reaction. Pair it with the chapel scene. I’m not a huge fan of costume contests, but those who bother to dress up should be inspired by a first-place prize — especially if it’s (drum roll) two tickets to Metallica (cymbal crash!).
— Editing: “Rocky Horror” is an easier cut than the iconic “Wizard of Oz,” and trimming it to 70 or 80 minutes from 100, even as a greatest-hits package, seems the right call. Granted, I’ve not seen the movie end-to-end in a very long time (and then, under some memory-inhibiting substances). But I remember it as front-loaded and the novelty waning about midway. Whatever the case, I don’t feel we need all 100 minutes of “Rocky” here.
— Manifestation at Exosphere: Beyond the promotional video production, which we have seen, and this is great. Something akin to the inflated Wicked Witch of the East’s legs underneath Sphere for “Wizard of Oz.”
— $3 tickets: Hearkening to 1975! Even for a night! A guy can dream, right?
We’ll get the “Rocky” verdict when specifics are announced. As for its viability, I start from a place of optimism for Sphere or any other seemingly high-risk venture. The folks at Sphere Experiences have hit the mark with their movie productions. “Wizard” has sold more than 3 million tickets and grossed more than $400 million since opening last September.
Dolan and his team have good reason to believe this experience will succeed. And they deserve a chance to fail.
Heard is prepared for any outcome.
“I have no idea what their projected demographic is going to be. I mean, it’s, it’s not my place, not my circus, not my monkey,” the Arts District theater operator said. “Trust me, I’m not saying I won’t see it. But I want to know the logic. I want to know the secret sauce. I want to know what code they’ve cracked to make this thing work, because, damn, I can use some of that.”
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.