Rocky Horror Picture Show

WKU’S CAB PRESENTS: ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW Photo Essay by: Mary Kinser SCIENCE FICTION, DOUBLE FEATURE Written in 1973 by British playwright, Richard O‟Brien, the Rocky Horror Show was originally intended as a stage performance. With the 1975 adaptation of the show into a movie, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the musical lost its roots in the theater. However, on April 1, 1976 an audience at the Waverly Theatre in New York City, began shouting responses to the characters in the film; and thus the tradition was born. Shadow casts of The Rocky Horror Picture Show became popular in the Eighty‟s and continues to be a celebrated, and highly anticipated event for many. This year, as in the three previous years, Western Kentucky University's Campus Activities Board held a shadow cast of the show, at the Capital Arts on Halloween night. CREATURES OF THE NIGHT As Maddie Powers prepares for the shadow cast, she pops out a tube of red lipstick and says, “It‟s all about the lips!” Powers, like many others this evening is preparing for a wild night full of playful and sultry costumes. “Preparing for the show is like preparing for your wedding day, stressful and hectic, but worth it,” says Chanley Rogers a long time fan of the cult classic, who will be attending the shadow cast for the first time, “I am very excited!” As the two put on their outfits and apply their make up, you can see the excitement on their faces, and the anticipation in their eyes. PREPARING FOR THE FLOOR SHOW Shown here the Campus Activities Board (CAB) member portraying Dr. Frank-N-Furter practices the song “I Can Make you a man” just an hour before the show began. “We are all very excited, and are having a lot of fun,” he says, “and we can‟t wait to start the show.” According to other members of the board, the cast only had 4 practices before the night of the show. “It‟s a lot of work,” says the board member portraying Columbia, “but it is well worth it.” I SEE YOU SHIVER WITH ANTICI…PATION. Eagerness fills the audience as they wait in line standing in six inch heels, and the cool fall air to see the highly anticipated performance. Rachel Kinser waits in line and says “I‟ve been waiting for this all year!” Other chatter and screams of excitement can be heard all throughout the line as people mingle, and talk of past experiences at the shadow cast. “I met a man who has been to three Rocky Horror shadow casts just this weekend,” says Kinser of a man she met in the line, “It is obvious by the smiles on everyone's faces that they‟re all super stoked to be here.” COME UP TO THE LAB AND SEE WHAT’S ON THE SLAB… The sound of 14 upbeat and exciting songs reverberate off the walls of the Capital Arts Theater evoking a nostalgic, and for some, a strange feeling. The effervescent audience cheers and sing along to some of their favorite tunes including “Time Warp,” “Sweet Transvestite,” and “ Rose Tint My World,” but who is behind it all? “It‟s actually quite simple, once you get the hang of it,” says Jeff Petrocelli of working the sound board, “in fact it‟s kind of fun.” It is people like Jeff who made this show possible, and take part in creating the enjoyable atmosphere that the audience craves. V MARKS THE VIRGIN “Who here is a virgin,” calls the board member playing Columbia, across the theater. A slew of cries comes from the audience. “A virgin is someone who has never been to a Rocky Horror shadow cast,” explains Alicia Hope. All virgins are marked with a red lipstick “V” on their foreheads, and patiently await for other shadow cast members to pick them from the crowd. Kristen Combs is among one of the “virgins” chosen by the cast to go on stage. Master of Ceremonies, Grace Beaumont leads the way and proceeds with the “de-virginizing.” IT’S JUST A JUMP TO THE LEFT… Seen here Campus Activities Board members portray the characters Columbia, Magenta, Frank-N-Furter, and Riff-Raff in the musical number “Sweet Transvestite.” Throughout the entire show their high energy performance wowed the crowd and kept everybody wanting more. “You could tell they were having fun with it,” says audience member Macie Wheeler, “and that‟s what made the show.” YOU’RE A HOTDOG! Since the beginning of the shadow cast tradition in the mid-70‟s, props have been a major part of the show. To many people this floor may look like it is covered in trash but to the fans attending Rocky Horror they represent different sayings and scenes from the movie. In preparation of using a prop, audience member Alicia Hope hands her friend Raleigh De Los Reyes a hotdog, and he looks down in disgust; but when he hears the words “You‟re a Hotdog!” he knows what to do. During a Rocky Horror shadow cast, audience members are encouraged to throw props at the screen at the appropriate time. “The props are the best part,” says Tracy Rogers “it makes you feel like you‟re part of the show.” JANET! DR. SCOTT! JANET! BRAD! ROCKY! When the show was over, cast members ran outside and line up at the doors for a meet and greet. “You were my favorite, you look just like the real Columbia,” gushes Eden Gasperetti to her favorite Character. The audience buzzed with delight as they chatted, and got photos taken with the audience members. “Do you think Janet would go out with me?” audience member Dylan Thompson asked jokingly to his friends. “I think the meet and greet was a treat for everyone, including the cast!” states Gasperetti. I’M GOING HOME “Best Halloween Ever!” Elizabeth Hook, a first timer to Rocky Horror, shouts as she exits the Capital. While people prepare to leave, they share their thoughts on the show. “My life has been forever changed,” states Chanley Rogers as she pulls her car door shut, “I can‟t wait „til next year!” All of the audience appeared to be very pleased with the show. The cast members put on an excellent performance and left the audience wanting more. .

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