For almost 50 years, The Rocky Horror Picture Show has been doing the Time Warp in theatres worldwide. Let that sink in for a moment…For nearly half a century, this film has been a cult classic that brings in droves of people to their local performances of The Rocky Horror Picture Show for undoubtedly one of the most unique cinematic experiences ever. One does not simply go to a screening of this film to sit in silence; you attend an event such as the one held at The Fisher Theatre earlier in the month to be a part of the show. Audience interaction isn’t just welcome; it’s expected to a certain degree from those involved and other patrons in the audience.
Released in 1975 by 20th Century Fox, The Rocky Horror Picture Show was based on the 1973 West End musical of the same name. Directed and written (along with Richard O’Brien) by Jim Sherman, who also directed the London production of the musical, this film serves as a tribute to science fiction and horror B flicks from decades before. With Tim Curry leading a cast with names many avid filmgoers will recognize, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is always ready to bring the chills and a fun time to audiences everywhere.
This was my first time at a production such as this, with props, cue cards, and a shadow cast, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Nothing could prepare me for the unique experience that The Fisher Theatre and The Michigan Rocky Horror Preservation Society provided.
[Warning: Spoilers from The Rocky Horror Picture Show are below!]
The story within The Rocky Horror Picture Show
I’m sure by now that most of us musical lovers have seen The Rocky Horror Picture Show at some point in their lives. However, a select few, like my fellow Box Seat Babe and Co-Host of The Cosmic Curtain podcast RJ Miller-Zelinko, have managed to avoid the film their entire lives. So, for those like him who haven’t seen this cult classic or just need a refresher, let’s jump into the car with our good old American boy and girl Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon).
After confessing their love to each other with a proposal during a friend’s wedding, the head-over-heels-in-love couple are driving to celebrate with Dr. Scott, their high school science teacher. It may seem weird to go and party with a professor, but it just so happens to be the teacher whose class they fell in love in. However, the universe has other plans for them, as one of the tires on their car goes flat in the middle of a storm.
Needing a phone to call for help, Brad and Janet stumble upon a sprawling estate in the middle of nowhere, and what they find inside is truly out of this world. There’s perhaps the weirdest party inside the mansion, as those gathered are there to celebrate Dr. Frank-n-Furter’s (Tim Curry) newest creation. A monster unlike any other, with more muscles than you can possibly imagine, is born! Rocky Horror (Peter Hinwood) is a newborn, for all intents and purposes, created by the mad scientist as a plaything.
As the night drags on and the cast of characters gets even weirder and more unsettling to Brad and Janet, the two are faced with a difficult decision. Do they leave the estate to seek help elsewhere during one of the worst storms they have ever seen, or do they stay with Dr. Frank-n-furter and his unusual guests? Doing the latter opens the door to more than they can bargain for, learning more about themselves than they initially realized.
Undoubtedly, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is an odd film, redeemed by the stellar music that pulls you from scene to scene. The film doesn’t exactly have an identifiable plot, as we go from one science fiction/horror trope to another. Still, the music and the cast of characters make this film essential for Broadway Halloween viewing, and why it was important to at least experience it once in my life.
The experience of the 49th Anniversary Spectacular Tour
Obviously, you can watch this film at home in the comfort of your own space. That was how I first saw The Rocky Horror Picture Show years ago, having my interest piqued after Glee performed some of the songs. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to stream it on Hulu instead of going out to see it at a venue, but it is a vastly different experience.
The biggest draw of the 49th Anniversary Spectacular Tour of The Rocky Horror Picture Show was the cast that is out on tour to promote it. We had Patricia Quinn, who was Magenta in the film and one of the original West End cast members, for our stop in Detroit. Before the screening began, Quinn was welcomed on stage and spoke about her time in the production, sharing behind-the-scene stories, such as how they filmed her lips for the film’s opening number.
Learning about how the film developed from a stage production to a film made this experience more grounded in reality, as audiences were face to face with someone living this story from the very beginning of its conception. Other cities on this tour had stars like Barry Bostwick, providing a unique experience for each city, which I assume drew in just as big crowds as The Fisher Theatre.
Of course, Quinn was just a small component of the entire night, as the fun truly began with the interactive experience that goes along with pretty much every screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Being a virgin to the experience, I and every other newbie were made to stand and take the initiation oath, which involved a collective grabbing of crotches amongst the more experienced crowd. After rolling through the speech, we opened to the show, goodie bags in hand.
Along with the shadow cast that acts out the entire film just below the movie, there are cue cards instructing people of when to pull out certain props or what to say in a call response with the film. The Michigan Rocky Horror Preservation Society did its best to make the experience as easily accessible to all; however, it was sometimes overwhelming to know what to say and do without the assistance of my trusty, experienced Rocky Horror friend. She guided me through what to do, such as when to chuck the toilet paper and when I needed to strap on my party hat. If there was something I needed to yell at the screen, she informed me seconds before. That helped to make it even more enjoyable and immerse myself in the true Rocky Horror experience.
Everyone should see Rocky Horror live at least once in their life
I’ve had friends who have gone to The Rocky Horror Picture Show screenings, such as the one at The Fisher Theatre, but I never attended. Part of me was nervous, having heard about what I could expect when I arrived. I think the word “hazing” even got brought up at different points in my adolescence.
However, I’m thankful that I can finally cross off attending such a screening from my theater bucket list. Seeing this live was absolutely an experience I’ll never forget, even if it’s not one that I’ll seek out yearly around Halloween. That being said, I do think that everyone who likes either B flicks or musicals should attend one like this at least once in their lives, as it’s truly something that has to be lived to understand.
You can stream The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Hulu! The Michigan Rocky Horror Preservation Society puts on shows every second and fourth Saturday of the month at the State-Wayne Theater! Have you attended a live shadow-cast performance of The Rocky Horror Picture Show before? Let us know on social media @mycosmiccircus or @boxseatbabes!
The Rocky Horror Picture Show Podcast Discussion | The Cosmic Curtain
