[ARTISTOCATS]

“Repo Madness: The Art of Shadow Casting” – Rachel Galvin

As day becomes night, players begin to set the pieces into motion. The cast prepares for its audience every third Friday of the month. Little by little, those who embrace the witching hour enter awaiting the experience known as “Repo: The Genetic Opera,” at Cinema Paradiso, 503 Southeast 6th Street, Ft. Lauderdale (www.fliff.com).

This movie takes place in a futuristic realm when organ failure is common. Those who replace organs or have plastic surgery and don’t pay up, have their organs repossessed by the dreaded Repo Man. An evil family tree has grasped the city with its branches, possessing the process and controlling it, gaining gold on the backs of those who have become addicted to being beautiful. They also have become addicted to Zydrate, the glowing blue potion (taken from the dead) that makes surgeries painless. Even Amber (Paris Hilton), a member of this family, has fallen into the trap of constant beauty enhancement. Meanwhile, Repo Man, a widower, keeps his day job from his daughter, Shiloh; other secrets are revealed.

As you may have figured out, this is not your typical movie. Not only is it an opera, which means they sing the story throughout, but it also intersperses animated narrative, making it feel more like a comic book come to life.

This experience is much more than popcorn and a movie. It is like stepping into another world, filled with its own language, cultural norms and hidden clues. Not only is the film played, but a Shadow Cast acts out every musical moment, complete with quick-changes, prop switcheroos and interactive audience engagement with prop-bags. They make use not only of the stage, but the aisles as well, using creative spotlights to create various scenes to copy what is happening in the film.

Frank “Wolf” Connell has been running “Midnight Cinema” – “Repo” followed by “Rocky Horror Picture Show” for two years. But he was in his first Shadow Cast at the age of 11 as Brad in “Rocky.” He has been in many casts since. In addition to acting like a Papa Bear to his dedicated fledgling cast and crew, he also runs a tight ship as manager of Cinema Paradiso. Asked what he likes best, he said “I wear many hats in everything I do. I hate monotony with a passion and do everything I can to avoid it.”

He believes people see “Repo” because “It's a safe party where everyone is welcome, the music is catchy, the women are sexy and the guys aint half bad either.”

Joe and Sara Bohacek have been coming to Repo for awhile and they dress up for the occasion. “We have been coming every month for Repo. It has a very energetic storyline. We like the people who made it, like the cast. I originally saw ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show.’ Then we saw this and we kept coming back. I guess you could say we are loyal fans,” said Joe.

Perhaps what makes “Repo” so popular is the ‘family’ it creates. Connell gives thanks to his cast and crew, who do the show for “no pay, no accolades and no other reward than just to perform with their friends.” He especially relies on Morrighan White (assistant director); Danny Stoneburner (go-to guy/ Graverobber); Ginny Kinzel (“She keeps all my shit together and takes my abuse and venting” BEX Niko and Philia (props and costumes), and Geoff Juggy and Kim (lighting and tech).

Connell is also is a member of the Sword Masters Fencing Ring at the Renaissance Festival and he has written five feature length scripts (several sold!) as well as several plays and movie treatments.

REPO TRAILER:

UNDERLAB SHOW: REPO THE GENETIC OPERA

SPONSORED by: INDEPENENT STREAK