In honor of the Rocky Horror Picture Show’s arrival at UH, Life and Arts editor Sarah Krusleski chats with’ Bobby Labartino, who is playing Frank N’ Furter.’
Sarah Krusleski: Which was your favorite costume?
Bobby Labartino: Oh gosh, I’d probably say the costume in the first act. It’s (the costume designer’s) take on the iconic first time you see Frank-N-Furter.
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SK: Had you ever dressed in drag before?
BL: I’ve never dressed in drag before. It was a first. I also got my first manicure and pedicure.
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SK: How did you like those heels?
BL: I have five-inch platform heels, so they definitely took some time getting used to. I had to run around and go up and down stairs and up and down ramps, so it took the majority of the rehearsal process just to get everything to where I could not only walk, but strut, because (Frank-N-Furter) has such confidence in everything he does.
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SK: Did you get to wear a corset during the performance?
BL: My first costume has a corset. It takes some getting used to. I not only had to speak in a corset, but sing. The entire costume department did such a fantastic job thinking about my comfort level.
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SK: What did you bring to this character?
BL: I brought a sense of fun to the character ‘hellip; The audience has to like this guy, hopefully not just be turned on by him.
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SK: You actually look really elegant in most of these photos.
BL: Oh gosh. That’s not as much as me as it is our choreographer who worked so much in getting me out of walking like a regular dude and being able to have that grace and elegance. It’s a lot less me than everyone else.
