'Camp out' at the Z
31st October 2008
When an audience steps into a movie theater, they’re expected to be quiet and considerate of others. Not so at the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” on Halloween night.
The Zeiterion Theatre will play the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” at 10 p.m. along with live participation by the RKO Army.
Props and yelling is definitely allowed. In fact, it’s encouraged.
“The movie came out in 1975,” said Roy Rossi, casting director for the RKO Army, a shadow casting group of actors who travel with the picture show to different venues.
“It became a cult movie a couple of years later,” Rossi said. “People started to show up in costumes (shadow casting) and it evolved more and more. They shout in response. It became the ultimate audience participation movie.”
The musical comedy parodies science fiction and horror flicks.
The story is set in a castle in Transexual, Transylvania (another planet and galaxy). The film stars Susan Sarandon as Janet Weiss and Barry Bostwick as Brad Majors, a young couple who break down in the rain and seek help at the nearby castle.
The couple ends up spending the night meeting with various creatures and Martians, with lots of tongue-in-cheek references to homosexual acts, cannibalism and more. Eventually, they’re performing in a cabaret act and slaying Martians.
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” was originally written by Richard O’Brien and first played in England, later performed on Broadway, before it became a film.
Rossi said the movie has been “traditionally associated” with Halloween, but it’s really fitting for all year. The RKO Army puts on shows year round, including monthly performances in Middletown, East Bridgewater and South Kingstown, R.I.
If also offers an audience participation guide to the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” on its Web site, www.rkoarmy.com along with photos and history.
Viewers wanting to participate should bring toast, toilet paper, newspapers and bells, to name a few objects, all for throwing. “Rocky” costumes are encouraged. There will be a contest.
Tickets to the show are $15. The show is appropriate for adults and older teens.
Source: Herald News