LIVING ARTS 9
JANUARY 21, 2011
This is the first of a three-week series leading to the musical production of the "Rocky Horror Show" in the College Theater.
The
Rocky Horror Show
Photos by Devin Courtright/The Advocate Elizabeth Sanchez rehearses the part of Janet for the “Rocky Horror Show” in the College Theater Wednesday.
Actress vocalizes in first lead role By Yuca Kosugi
D
The Advocate
espite her petite frame, it’s hard not to notice Elizabeth Sanchez waiting patiently in the middle of the stage as choreographer Clara Hillier works with the group dancing and singing around her. “I’ve never played the lead role – ever,” said the 20-year-old with wide eyes, lined with pale, glittery blue eyeliner which made her astonished expression pop even more. She has never danced or acted, she said, other than a few chorus parts in middle school plays. Sanchez is playing the role of Janet in the upcoming MHCC Theater production “Rocky Horror Show,” the cult classic by Richard O’Brien. Sanchez moved to Gresham from Albuquerque, N.M., with her girlfriend Mariah Ortiz in December 2009 because of the MHCC Funeral Services Program, which is offered in only a handful of colleges throughout the nation. “She dropped everything to come with me,” said Sanchez. “Liz set it all up for us,” recalled Ortiz, a 22-year-old nursing major who is also a custodian at the college. Sanchez booked the flight, made a list of apartments to look at, and set up other arrangements for a weekend a month before they moved, Ortiz said. They agreed it was a good move. “We love the rain,” said Sanchez and Ortiz, each echoing the other in separate interviews. Although they moved here for Sanchez, things didn’t pan out they way she wanted at first, said Ortiz. Sanchez was unable to get into the limited entry funeral services program last year, and is currently listed under general studies. Then last term, the two took the technical theater class where sets and props are created for productions when Sanchez found out about auditions to plays.
Sanchez is no stranger to being on stage. Although she hasn’t been in a play since middle school, she was in choir in middle school and for a year in high school. Her sister Jennifer, 29, performs on Broadway and is her idol. Both her parents and another sister Junelle, 27, play the guitar. She sang “Imagine” by John Lennon at her high school graduation, said Ortiz. That was the only time Ortiz saw Sanchez performing to an audience. “She sings all the time,” said Ortiz, laughing. Things were a bit grim, said Sanchez, when taking daunting classes like medical terminology. She wanted something more. “I was like, let’s go for it,” said Sanchez. She had never even heard of “Rocky Horror Picture Show”, so she rented the movie and watched it to learn the songs for the audition. At the audition, she wrote a checkmark next to Janet, the lead role, because she’s never been the lead before. Despite her initial confidence, she looked under the chorus list when the casting was posted. Sanchez didn’t find her name under that category, so she turned to Ortiz who was with her and told her that she didn’t make it. Ortiz comforted her as she scanned the list herself. “Look, you’re Janet,” Ortiz told Sanchez when she spotted her name elsewhere. “I cried,” said Sanchez. “I was so happy.” “Rocky Horror Show” director Jennifer Hunter said, “She had the physicality and the singing for Janet.” Sanchez said she doesn’t relate to the character at all. “She’s too innocent,” she said. One thing about Sanchez, said Ortiz, is that when she is determined, she consistently works hard. Since being picked for the lead role, Sanchez has been singing and practicing for the play at their apartment. “I’m really excited for the play,” said Sanchez. The show starts Feb. 17 and has eight shows through Feb. 27. Tickets will go on sale in the box office at the College Theater or online at www.mhcc.edu/
Janet