GC hosts fourth annual ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’

At midnight on Friday, Oct. 28, GC hosted the fourth annual “Rocky Horror Picture Show” in collaboration with the Clarke Street Glitter Lips. Students, faculty and guests lined up at the doors of Russell Auditorium hours before the showtime. Dressed in full drag, provocative corsets, short skirts, fish nets, or as a favorite cast member, fans came out to celebrate the cult phenomenon that is “Rocky Horror.”

Before the show even began, fans got rowdy with their friends and first time virgins outside of Russell. The cast Transylvanians walked around with tubes of bright red lip stick to mark “virgins” of the show, or people who have never experienced “Rocky Horror” before, with a big V on their foreheads.

With roars of excitement the doors of Russell finally opened where the crowd pushed and forced its way through the doors in hopes of getting the best possible seats. The incoming crowd was greeted with what was essentially a pre-show party in Russell Auditorium. Fans gathered in the aisles and at the front of the stage to dance to the music blasting through the speakers.

The “Rocky Horror Picture Show’ began as a “West End” theatre stage hit written by Richard O’Brien that revolved around a newly engaged, conservative couple who enter the provocative world of a transsexual scientist.

This low-budget film was originally released to select theaters in 1975, and has now become a unique, interactive experience for both audience and shadow cast. The shadow cast in the GC rendition of the phenomenon is an integral part of the erotic experience.

During this interactive experience, the GC shadow cast essentially mirrored exactly what was going on in the movie directly on-stage.

Another element of entertainment was the dance performances at the beginning and throughout the show as choreographed by Erin Borain. Brad, played by Brent Tripp, and Janet, played by Brianna Riley, are thrust into an erotic world unbeknownst to them where they would have ever ounce of innocence yanked from their souls.

Dr. Frank-N-Furter, played by Zach Roberts, accompanied by his unusual house-mates seek to corrupt Brad and Janet in regard to their sexuality.

“Audience participation is a huge part of the experience,” Roberts said. “At one point every single person has to stand up and do the ‘Time Warp.’ If you don’t know how to do the ‘Time Warp’ it’s just a jump to the left and the song tells you the rest.”

One of the most integral parts of the “Rocky Horror” experience is audience participation. Aside from dressing up in the most provocative clothing available, the audience is also very important when it comes to call out lines and other various parts of the show.

Throughout the entire performance the emcees, Andrew Markle and Erica Mandato, shout out call lines that are essentially phrased to point out how “bad” the movie is. However, these call-out lines are endearing and get the audience rolling with laughter each time.

Seasoned fans called out the lines with the emcees. The first 400 guests to the showing were also given a prop bag which consisted of a few playing cards, balloons, noise makers and a party hat. These props were used at various times during the performance at specific points to enhance audience participation.

“I went to ‘Rocky Horror’ for the first time last year and it was so much better this year because I knew what to expect,” said Anna Jester, junior sociology major. “Both times were fun because I was in the company of friends, but the best parts are dancing the ‘Time Warp’ and dressing up.”

The interactive experience that is “Rocky Horror” toes the line between gender and sexuality, as many unsuspecting virgins come to find during the performance. The promiscuousness of the show can certainly take “virgins” by surprise if they don’t come with an open mind. One of the main reasons newcomers are marked as virgins is because it’s usually very obvious if they have never been to a showing of “Rocky Horror.”

“Being a virgin wasn’t as big a deal as everyone makes it out to be; some strangers accost you with greasy red lipstick immediately upon your arrival but other than that they pretty much leave you alone,” junior psychology major Kari Goodbar said. “I was a bit confused in regards to the plot since much of the live commentary overpowered the actual dialogue, but the crazy costumes, dances, and atmosphere in general still made the experience as a whole, a lot of fun. I’ll definitely be going to other showings in the future.”

All of the shouting, call-out lines, running around and dancing is all the effort of the shadow cast and other members of the Clarke Street Glitter Lips make the movie funny, sexy and interactive. Most of the dialogue is indeed masked by these additions, but alas, this is the spirit of the “Rocky Horror Picture Show.”