On Sept. 15, audiences learned to do the Time Warp as a group of students in the Rocky Horror club held a screening and performance of the Rocky Horror Picture Show in the Arellano Theatre at midnight.
Unlike other movies or plays, the Rocky Horror Picture Show can not be classified under a specific category nor can it be easily described.
In fact, the easiest way to clear up the enigma shrouding the show is to simply attend a live show for yourself, and this was exactly what the cast of the Rocky Horror Show was hoping people would do. The show was open to everyone, regardless of whether you were decked in full Rocky Horror glory or were just an unsuspecting Rocky Horror virgin.
Due to its intricate plot, it is never easy to explain Rocky Horror to someone.
The show revolves around young Brad Majors (junior Bekah Wheatley) and Janet Weiss (sophomore Margo Heston), who find themselves in a fix when their tire goes flat on a rainy November night. They end up in a castle and in the middle of the Annual Transylvanian Convention, where they meet the confident and sassy transvestite Dr. Frank-n-Furter (sophomore Joshua Langfus) and the rest of his crazy crew. Frank claims to have found “the secret of life itself” when he reveals his creation — an extremely buff blonde named Rocky Horror (graduate student Stephen Edwards).
There is then a series of complicated and secret rendezvous between Frank and Janet, Frank and Brad and finally between Rocky and Janet.
Unknown to them, each of their sexual escapades are known to the others though monitors that are located throughout the castle.
The plot thickens throughout the show, including semi-orgies and space traveling.
Right from the beginning, it was clear that the experience of attending the Rocky Horror Show was different than most other spectacles, as the cast was dressed up in all sorts of suggestive garb, ranging from corsets to transvestite costumes.
However, what made the Rocky Horror Show experience unique was not the costumes, but that it was extremely interactive.
The show began on time, with the cast calling out all the virgins of the show out onto the stage. They were then invited to participate in several interesting activities in an effort to initiate them into the Rocky Horror family.
Once all the virgins were “seasoned,” the actual screening of the show began with the cast shadowing what happened on screen.
It was a doubly satisfying experience to simultaneously watch the movie and appreciate the live and hilarious expressions of the cast.
Cast members who were not on stage and seasoned audience-members would constantly shout out lines while the movie was screening, often including side comments that hilariously complemented the actual lines of the movie.
Audience participation continued beyond merely reciting lines throughout the show.
For example, during the song “Time Warp,” — the theme song synonymous with Rocky Horror itself — the entire audience was invited to dance along on stage.
All in all, the experience of watching the Rocky Horror Show can not be found anywhere else.
No other movie screening can claim to be as stimulating, entertaining and sexually charged as the Rocky Horror Show.
It is a show to remember, and it is not difficult for the once-virgins to realize why many people come back to watch the show — some as many as ten times.
Regardless of whether or not you are into kooky transvestites, Rocky Horror is something to be experienced by all.
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