DRAGON*CON (August 31, 2001)

Performed Last Week... (Scheduled and Actual varied. I will amended the list to reflect those who actually played. Hopefully this gives credit where it's due...)

Special Kudos - Record??? Way to go People!!!

Commentary!!!!

(As seen in Crazed Imaginations Fanzine!!!!!!)

RHPS delivers decadence to Dragoncon Atlanta
Ishboo, RHH
N9 - Atlanta

Filled with the sounds of "Sweet Transvestite," a packed Regency Ballroom in the Atlanta Hyatt Regency housed the DragonCon 2001 showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Headlining this debauchery were the casts and crews of Atlanta's Blackwell Theater collectively known as the Blackwell Community (BC). The BC consists of the Uber-cast and crew of N9-Atlanta and Lambda Psi Phi (LPP.) They also feature common guest appearances from their sister in the Satanic Mechanics (SM.) Together, BC showcases members of all three legitimate Georgia casts.
Lining the stage was a cast and crew of 35+, a vast majority of which were N9 members. While N9 and the BC often operate on the premise of doing the unexpected or unorthodox, this show featured switching roles at every major costume set change. All cast members enjoyed this particular gimmick, from the two flirtatious Frank'n'Furters to the three cuddly Columbia's. The evening was MC'd by LPP including the Pre-Show of twinkie racing and dancing virgins. The evenings Trixies were provided by SM who started the show with dances and continued the whole show working their ways through the crowd leading AP and props.
N9 was predominately conceived and operated from the concept that Audience Participation (AP) is more important than cast. It was founded in part to help direct attention to the fans instead of the cast. This allowed the cast to partake of the incredible volumes and varieties of AP present in the vast crowd that night. Joined by local Atlanta police and a Fire Marshall, who assisted in maintaining overcrowding and safety codes, N9 and Co. filled the Regency Ballroom with "well over 1000, more likely 1200," according to a local Fire Marshall. Not bad at all for a non-RHPS convention of an estimated 31,000 total, 5 day weekend attendance.
The audience rang out with shouts of their favorite AP lines, from "Asshole!" and "Slut!" to "My two favorite fairy tales!" The crowd was alive that night. Many got involved in an N9 tradition of inviting the audience into the pool scene orgy, even to the point of threatening the collapse of the stage. Many N9er's infiltrated the crowd, helping to get a rise out of the audience, either by demonstrating the "Timewarp" or just yelling AP and having fun.
When the lights came up, the audience rose to leave, returning once again to their mundane lives until next weekend. Everyone that left the Regency Ballroom that night felt something. Whether it was satisfaction, offense, or a touch of N9's Jesus; the work of N9 had been completed that night.
For more information about N9, please visit us live at the Blackwell Star Cinema in Marietta, GA at the intersection of Highway 5 (Canton Road) and Chastain Road. We perform, along with our sister cast of Lambda Psi Phi, every Saturday night at midnight.

More Details ... (beyond the 'Zine)

The Show began with the normal LPP pre-show (hosted by HelloDali) with the usual chants and Rules changed only so slightly to accommodate the incredible volume of people in the small room. The Virgins gathered on the small stage in numbers to test its design, stopping just shy of scaring them. That was our job... After the usual De-Virginizing chants of the masses, a few selected victims were subjected to the "twinkie races" and fake orgasm contests of lore.

As with our previous collaborative shows the opening was performed by the traditional LPP "Lips of Doom" and hand-jive dancers. This time accompanied by three N9 / Satanic Mechanic Trixies dressed in small (almost nonexistent) cigarette-girl outfits. Complete with trays of goodies, these three were a true feast for the hungry eyes of the crowd.

Tonight's show cast list was made with performers changing out at points of major costume changes. This allowed more of the incredible cast to share stage time, and to allow the audience a better chance to enjoy their elaborate costumes. The scenes went by flawlessly and without interruption, 'til the second projector broke forcing a real change. The Trixies took the break in stride and instantly hopped to the stage to lead the audience in a rousing chorus of Monty Python love songs (Sit On My Face, etc.)

N9 and LPP have a strong tradition of Convention Performances under their belts and the list of shows grows every month. With our friends from SM and the loyal followers from out of town and out of state we hope to continue to show the fans what Rocky is like Southern Style.

The City of Atlanta Fire Marshall present estimated the room attendance at easily over 1000 at several points. There is something to be said for that many jumping and dancing strangers, all gathered in brotherhood to a common act of celebration. And there is something to be loved of a cast whose size outshines the full attendance of smaller Rocky theaters in the same region.

The fans and the administration have made sure that the Rocky Horror Picture Show is now a staple in the diet of events to headline the World's Largest Multimedia Science Fiction Convention. And to their credit, the combined casts of the show have secured with that promise a regular place performing and entertaining the crowds in the years to come. With the goals of growing and maintaining the crowds, the BC and N9 have shown to any and all that they are the best in Southern Rocky and truly the only show in town!!