TROY MARTIN SINGS ROCKY HORROR - "You're All Going To Hell!"

SINSCON 2010 was almost 2 years in the development and production stages.
Publicity and marketing was handled by Green Galactic PR.
I bought tickets as soon as the dates were finalized, because I knew this was gonna be good!
To me, this was one of The Most Important ROCKY HORROR Events Of The Last 30 Years.

But first...
Produced by Bernie Bregman. Directed by Elizabeth Stockton. Promotions by Sean Weller.
The entire SINSCON Event Staff worked as hard as any production company that I've ever seen.
They made it work. I hope to mention each and every one of them here.
Sponsors included the Los Angeles Conservancy.

I took a special trip Downtown and made the effort to re-familiarize myself with the area.
I checked the venues, looked around for parking lots, their rates, and their proximity to the event venues.

On Thursday September 23, 2010, the Unconventional Conventionists gathered at The Standard Downtown for an evening of registration, pre-Con maddness, schmoozing, parties, orgies, scandal, and a screening of "Clue".
I arrived at Pershing Square and met up with Xach Fromson and Sins Nugget.
We walked up to the Standard and the fun began.
This part of the event was held in a small room, and it reminded me of the the old R.I.P. Conventions of my youth.
There were plenty of fun-filled, thrill-packed antics going on throughout The Standard.

And I met some of the coolest people in the whole wide world.
I saw Sal Piro for the first time since 2007.
I showed Sal my original Official RHPS Fan Club Membership Card.
He asked me what the number on it was. When I told him it was #28751, he told me that after the first batch of cards ran out, all subsequent cards were all numbered "4711", therefore mine was a genuine 1990 original.
I also met David Shetterly, webmaster for www.rockyhorror.com, the Official ROCKY HORROR website.
He told me that Fan Club Membership Cards can be downloaded from here.

TROY MARTIN, SAL PIRO
September 23, 2010
The Standard Downtown - Los Angeles CA

The second day of SINSCON took place Friday September 24, 2010.
It was held at Club 740 and the day was devoted to "SHOCK TREATMENT".
I parked at Pershing Square and noticed that my car was leaking profousely.
My water pump had blown. During one of the hottest days of the year.
Grrrr...it would happen at a time like this. I was getting "a little bit of...oooh...Shock Treament!"

Club 740 was the perfect place for this part of the Con.
The venue had an air of class and dignity, and the vision that SINS OF THE FLESH had for it simply came alive.
Jessica Harper and Cliff DeYoung were the Guests Of Honor.
They were astounded by the turnout and the devotion of the crowd.

Cliff and Jessica signed my original "SHOCK TREATMENT" vinyl LP.
Their Q& A session was moderated by Jesse Merlin, my All-Time Favorite Crim.

JESSICA HARPER, CLIFF DE YOUNG, JESSE MERLIN
September 24, 2010
740 - Los Angeles CA

After the performances, a "Rocky Prom" was held in the Palm Court of the Alexandria Hotel.
I remember shoooting an episode of "Ally McBeal" years earlier.
It was hot in the room, so Julie, Richard and I left after about an hour.

I changed, walked back to Pershing Square, and started the dangerous and potentially destructive drive home.
I made it home just as the temperature guage was just going over the center line. I was very lucky.
"You're Lucky! He's Lucky! I'm Lucky! We're All Lucky! HA-HA-HA-HA!"

The third day of the event, Saturday September 25, 2010, took place at the historic Million Dollar Theater.
And for me, this was the day that really kicked out the jams.

The day started early for me. Since I had a broken water pump, I had to take the train to the venue.
I got there just Rick Sloane was loading in his gear.
He brought the giant "Trixie" head that hung in front of the Roxy back in 1974.
SINSCON had a genuine piece of ROCKY HORROR history sitting in the lobby.
"Trixie" commanded respect when people looked at her, and it added an air of professionalism to the event.
Rick also brought the original "Trixie" dress from the Roxy with him.
Elizabeth Pacela showed up! We hadn't seen each other since 1981! R.I.P. Productions reunion!

RICK SLOANE, JOY VILLA
September 25, 2010
Million Dollar Theater - Los Angeles CA

TROY MARTIN, ELIZABETH PACELA, RICK SLOANE
September 25, 2010
Million Dollar Theater - Los Angeles CA

Sal had merch that I had been looking for for years. I was thrilled with what I was able to walk away with.
Other vendors included Dark Refrain - Bruce Cutter, Castle Corsetry - Lauren Matesic, 4711 - Larry Viezel,
My Favorite Obsession - Lizabeth Stockton, Ahz Unlimited - Ahzriel Adams, Wicked Pictures, and Traditional Ink.
Jamie Donnely showed up, too! She was working with Cool Waters Productions.
It was great to finally meet Jamie! I bought an original "Trixie" button from the Roxy button from her.
It had been one of the prizes of my collection back in 1980, but someone stole it!
I felt that I was lucky enough to get one back for my collection, and that I got it from Jamie.

More props and equpiment kept rolling during the day.
I never thought that I would ever see a Transylvanian Control Panel rolling down Broadway in the back of a truck.

Lou Adler was gracious enough to attend the event. In order to make it easier for his driver to find the location of the theater, I stood out on the corner of 3rd Street & Broadway with my Roxy cast soundtrack.
Sure enough, a fancy black sedan was driving up 3rd Street, and I could see Lou in the passenger seat.
He saw me holding the album cover and he motioned for his driver to pull over in my direction.
The driver rolled up to the theater, and I greeted Lou as he got out of the car.
His wife, Page Hannah was with him and she was very enthusiastic about the event.
Lou was very cool, and once he was inside, I got the feeling that he was impressed with what he was seeing.
I told him that the music from ROCKY HORROR had changed my life.
He was kind enough to sign my film & Roxy album covers.
After a few minutes, Lou & Sal hit the stage for their Q&A.
Lou announced the "RHPS Tribute and Costume Ball" to be held on October 28, 2010 at The Wiltern Theater.

SAL PIRO, TROY MARTIN, LOU ADLER
September 25, 2010
Million Dollar Theater - Los Angeles CA

Another surprise was the news that John Goldstone, the associate producer of the film was to take part in the Q&A.
We greeted him at the front of the theater just as Lou & Page were leaving.
Page wanted the "Trixie" dress, and the next thing I knew, she was wearing it when she left the theater.

As the day started getting late, everyone was waiting for Barry to arrive.
I knew that he was not going to park in front of the theater. When an actor arrives at the studio or location,
the first thing they usually look for is the signs directing them to the base camp or the parking area.
Production had said that's where Barry was headed to. I figured that no one was covering the parking lot, so I grabbed my film soundtrack album, and once again went out to 3rd St. & Broadway and stood in front of the entrance to the parking lot. I must have looked like a "Will Rocky For Food" transient to anyone driving by.
The sun and heat were brutal. It was burning me to a crisp. But I stood there and waited.

After about 20 minutes, I saw a large SUV rolling my way, and there was no mistaking that Barry was driving.
He waved to to me, and turned into the lot. I greeted him and got his parking situated.
I told him that we had met before both at the Tiffany and at CBS Radford studios.
I also thanked him personally for the all the kindness and thoughtfullness he has shown to ROCKY HORROR fans over the years. He said, "Well...I really do appreciate what all of you folks do."
He handed me a costume bag and said, "Let's go!"
I asked him if wanted to cross at the light, and he said, "No! Let's be bold!"
We crossed in the middle of the street and made a B-line for the side entrance of the theater.
Once inside, Sal saw him and came toward us. Jesse soon followed and we led Barry to the backstage area.
The event Staff got him settled in, and after a drink or two, Barry & John hit the stage for the Q&A.

Afetr the Q&A, Barry signed autographs for every person that wanted one.
I asked him how long before they started shooting the film did they record the soundtrack.
He told me it was a week before and it only took a few days to record it.
After the autograph session, everyone went to lunch.

The line started to gather for RHPS 35, the 35th Anniversary Screening of "THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW".
I was thrilled to see that Lisa, Dawn, Brett & Michael from the Tiffany were there.
The show began at 10 PM, and by now there were 1000 people were in attandance!
There were some great opening acts and video.

Barry took the stage, and the crowd went nuts for him.
He did not disappoint. No one could have expected this...

The show let out on the 35th Anniverary of the films release.
And of course I got to see old friends. I made sure that I got some pictures with Richard, Julie & Steve.

EROTIC NIGHTMARES 2010
RICHARD GIFFORD, JULIE FORD, TROY MARTIN
September 25, 2010
Million Dollar Theater - Los Angeles CA

STEVE CARTOON, TROY MARTIN
September 25, 2010
Million Dollar Theater - Los Angeles CA

And at the end of the evening, the Tiffany Theater Alumni that were able to attend gathered for a group shot.
A fetus asked us, "Are you Virgins"?

"THE TRANSYLVANIAN SENIOR CITIZENS AUXILIARY LEAGUE"
DENNIS MILLER, MICHAEL SUGAR, SONYA HARPER, ALISON PROCHAZKA,
DAWN MORRISON, STEVE CARTOON, LISA KURTZ SUTTON, BRETT PEARCE, TROY MARTIN
September 25, 2010
Million Dollar Theater - Los Angeles CA

With all of the wonderful things that had happened over the last 3 days, I was feeling the "Con Flu" coming on.
I was exhausted and burned to a crisp. And I stiIl had a water pump to replace. It was time to leave the party.
I caught a ride home with Lisa, Brett and Dawn. I asked myself "Was worth it ?" The only answer I had was "Yes".
Despite whatever downturns I had that day, SINSCON was worth every effort. I had the time of my life!

In late October, several ROCKY HORROR-themed events took place.
The film was released on Blu-ray October 19.
On October 26, "The Rocky Horror Glee Show" was broadcast on Fox.
I managed to get through about half of the episode when Lauren Everett arrived to photograph me for
The Rocky Horror Portrait Project.

The same day, 3 tracks, "Hot Patootie", "The Time Warp", and "Sweet Transvestite" made their way to
"The Rocky Horror Picture Show Track Pack" for Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock.

On October 28, 2010 I attended the "RHPS Tribute And Costume Ball" at The Wiltern Theater.
The event was a benefit for the The Painted Turtle, a camp for children who are terminally or chronically ill.
The Painted Turtle was founded in 1999 by Paul Newman and Page Hannah-Adler.
I had bought a ticket for the event and dressed in my Transylvanian finery the day of the show.

After the show, I was walking out of the theater when I saw the stage door open.
And I got the sense that walking through the door would take me to a place that was supposed to be.
I took a deep breath, said "Fuck it! and walked through the door.
I walked down a set of spiral stairs and I saw Danny Devito.
The next face I recognized was a beaming Jesse Merlin. As I came down the stairs he said, "I'm glad you're here."

A crowd of people were gathered around someone. In the middle of the crowd was...Tim Curry.
I made my way through the crowd. Tim looked up, smiled and stuck out his hand, and said,
"Hi! I haven't seen you in a long time! How are you? Good to see you!"
I told him it was good to see him, too. I smiled, bowed my head respectfully and stepped away as the crowd began to move towards the assembled paparazzi.
I saw Jamie Donnely, and she introduced me to Abigail Haness, the original Janet from the Roxy and Broadway shows. I told Abigail how much I enjoy listening to her singing. She in turn pointed me out to B. Miller, the original Brad from the Roxy and Broadway shows. Needless to say, I was having a great night!

On Halloween 2010, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show 35th Anniversary" was the theme of the
"23rd Annual West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval".
8239 people danced "The Time Warp" for 5 consecutive minutes for a new Guinness World Record.

After the show was over I started walking up San Vicente towards Sunset.
Richard was headed out to Kitten DeVille's party, and I headed to The Rainbow.
Miss Kimmy's Rock 'N' Roll Karaoke happens at Over The Rainbow, the upstairs bar, every Sunday night.
There were only a handful of people there when I walked in.
I handed the DJ my music, and we really got the ball rolling!
By the time I was halfway through "Science Fiction, Double Feature", I saw that a crowd had started to gather.

Among them were a group of women and a young girl named Layla.
After the first song, I announced that we were doing "Rocky Horror Karaoke", and reminded everyone that the Roxy next door was ROCKY HORROR's first US home. I then asked if there were anyone that could sing Janet's parts of the next song, and Layla said that she did. I welcomed her to the stage, and we started singing "Dammit Janet". And Layla was great! She knew all the parts, words, timing...everything. She was perfect!
The crowd liked our duet, and we moved on to "Over At The Frankenstein Place".
That was even more fun! We harmonized wonderfully, and she when to stop when I sang Brad's verse.

I ended my first set with "The TIme Warp", and then other people got up to sing.
The ladies came up to the bar to speak with me, and met Patti Johnsen and Julia Nine. They both used to work at The Rainbow "back in the day", and Layla is Patti's daughter.
Patti told me that Layla was really loved ROCKY HORROR, and that her interest was growing due to the "Glee".
Julia told me that she also had attended Tim Curry's reading at Chateau Marmont in 1991.
We had a nice time together, and talked until it was time for me to do my next set.
By now, I could see the place had filled up quite a bit.

I sang "Sweet Transvestite" and "The Sword of Damocles", and the crowd loved it!
By this time, the house had filled up and people were eager to get on the stage and strut their stuff!
We blew the roof off the rainbow that night! And then everyone went home.

I had come full circle. It was singing karaoke that renewed my interest in ROCKY HORROR.
And I can honestly say that I had some of the most fun I've ever had.

I met some of my dearest, life-long friends at ROCKY HORROR.
I learned a lot about people and life, and I learned a lot about myself.
I may have had some up and downs over the years, but there's one that thing I am sure of:
I will always love ROCKY HORROR. I recommend that everyone see it at least once.
ROCKY HORROR gave me some of the most wonderful moments of my life.
ROCKY HORROR is a part of who I am.

Maybe I'll see you there!

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