The Rocky Horror Picture Show has gained a cult following since its theatrical release almost 50 years ago.
The film is absurd, sexual and feverish in all the right ways.
Despite this, die-hard fans of the Rocky Horror Picture show may offer you a strange piece of advice: skip the movie.
The 1975 musical follows a newly engaged couple, Brad and Janet, whose car breaks down outside a castle, where they search for help.
The castle is occupied by a mad scientist and his humble servants. But something is amiss about the party the couple stumbles upon. Hijinks ensue, and the audience is taken along for Dr. Frank-n-Furter’s bumpy ride.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show is in essence a musical spoof on Frankenstein.
It initially bombed at the box office, but soon gained a reputation for midnight showings.
Fans later expanded on these showing by adding audience participation.
Typical interactions include shouting “He’s got no f—ing neck!” when the narrator appears on screen or Chicago locals may shout “Look! It’s like a White Sox game!” when eh movie pans to a large section of empty seats.
Audiences even started bringing their own props, including pulling out newspapers to hold over their heads when Janet does the same to shield herself from an intense rainstorm.
Audiences later started “shadow-casting” shows, where performers would mime the on-screen actions while lip-synching their characters’ lines.
These traditions have fundamentally changed the viewing experience of the show, leading many fans to prefer the theatrics of a live performance.
”I definitely prefer seeing it live,” first-year Naomi Torraason said. “The audience participation really adds to the experience when it’s a live performance.”
“All the callouts are so hilarious, I don’t think I could pick a favorite one,” she said.
”There’s a lot more energy attending a live performance,” senior MJ Soria said.
”Instead of just watching the movie at home with my friends thinking I’m crazy, i can go to a performance and throw popcorn and rice at the movie screen and just be among a bunch of other weirdos,” she said.
”My favorite callout is when Frank-N-Furter calls for Magenta and Columbia. You yell out ‘What’s your favorite color?’ and ‘Where do you get your drugs from?’”
Unless prospective fans know how to do the Time Warm (again), they will likely have to head toward Chicago or its suburbs if they want to see a shadow cast this year (curse you, Halloween on a Thursday!)
The Metropolis Performing Arts Centre has a live performance of The Rocky Horror on October 31, 2024 starting 10:30 p.m. and November 1, 2024 7:30 p.m. with tickets starting at $35.
When October rolls around next year, look for showings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts and the Normal Theater.
Both typically show performances with shadow-casts made up of local talent, where tickets start around $15.
The Peoria Players Theatre has also been showing performances of The Rocky Horror seasonally since 1991.
Have a fun, safe and SPOOOOOKY Halloween! – The Argus Staff