Participants in the costume contest, which was held before the beginning of the show, group together in front of a cheering crowd. Photo by Holt Menzies

by PHILLIP WYATT
Intern Lifestyles Reporter

Students sporting corsets, fishnet stockings, sequins, feather boas, heavy makeup, high heels and drag gathered to “do the time warp again,” when Dragonfly Theater & Pub hosted “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” screening Oct. 29 at 9:30 p.m. and midnight.

The event relies on audience interaction to execute its signature environment, full of ad-lib commentaries from devoted fans.

Props, including rice, rubber gloves, noisemakers, confetti, toilet paper, playing cards and newspaper were available for viewers to throw and use during particular scenes of the film.

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” began as a musical in London in 1973, according to rockyhorror.com.

After success in theater, 20th Century Fox purchased rights to bring the show to the big screen and the film premiered in the United States Sept. 25, 1975.

It was initially considered a failure, arriving on archive shelves before being deemed a wide release.

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” tells the story of Brad Majors and Janet Weiss, played by Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon, who arrive at the home of Tim Curry as Dr. Frank N. Furter after their car malfunctions.

To their surprise, Furter, the transvestite from Planet Transsexual in the galaxy of Transylvania, has several surprises for the couple, forcing them to question both morality and sanity.

Over time, midnight viewings increased in popularity and a 1976 Halloween screening is credited with the beginning of the costume trend of recent screenings, and fans began yelling back at the screen and incorporating props with viewings.

Due to publicity, the film catapulted into a cult phenomenon.

At Dragonfly Theater, the show began with a costume contest and participants were showcased on stage.

Based on audience reaction, five winners were chosen and awarded gift certificates to the theater.

Adam L. Wensil, senior business management major, was one of the winners of the contest, wearing only gold, metallic briefs and high top Converses spray-painted gold to portray Rocky Balboa.

“It took me a little bit to get used to the fact that everyone was going to be looking at me,” Wensil said. “It really didn’t bother me. I was just getting into the spirit of ‘Rocky Horror.’”

The 100-minute film was introduced by a group chant from an excited audience that spelled “Rocky.”
Fans belted out lyrics accompanying their favorite numbers and a select few, dressed as lead characters, stormed the stage and reenacted pivotal scenes.

Baker said approximately 260 tickets were sold and several people were turned away after the event was sold out.

Because of the success of the viewings, Baker plans to bring “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” back to Dragonfly Theater & Pub in the future.

Photo by Holt Menzies  |  Chief Photographer

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