Photo Courtesy of: Alexandra Pitman
This past Thursday, SAA put on its second annual production of Rocky Horror Picture Show. The 1975 B-movie is a sci-fi parody that follows Brad and Janet as they travel to tell the man who got them together about their recent engagement. However, along the way, their car breaks down and they seek help from a castle they passed a few miles back. There they meet Riff-Raff, Magenta, Columbia and Dr. Frank-n-Furter (played by Tim Curry), a “sweet transvestite from Transylvania”, who creates a living muscle man called Rocky Horror. It’s a weird, wacky, fun show that just about anyone can enjoy.
The show is a cult classic that’s unlike any other show you’ve seen. If you haven’t seen the show live, you’re a Virgin, and probably very confused as to what to expect and how it will feel. So, here’s a few pointers to help your first time go as smoothly as possible.
First off, there’s a shadow cast. These people perform the show alongside the movie, acting out what’s on-screen in front of the audience, and sometimes on them.
Photo Courtesy of: Alex Pitman
(Dr. Frank-n-Furter sings “Sweet Transvestite”)
This year, Her Campus’ own Gracie Porter played Janet Weiss, Brad’s fiancé. Don’t be alarmed when Brad and Janet are suddenly strutting around in their Tighty-Whities, this is normal. (Don’t be surprised to find yourself surrounded by strangely dressed people. Dressing up in bizarre costumes is half the fun.)
As well, the audience has their own part to play. The audience shouts out lines in response to the show (Let there be lips! What’s for dinner? How about a close-up Riff? What’s your favorite color?), and you use props along the way (toilet paper, card deck, party hat, rubber gloves). If you want to be really prepared, there’s a couple audience scripts and prop lists you can find online. (SAA even encouraged those who wanted to have the scripts to have their phones out to read them.)
One of the more exciting moments of the show is the Time Warp:
1. (It’s just a) JUMP TO THE LEFT, with hands UP.
2. A STEP TO THE RIGHT (Time-Warper ANNETTE FUNICELLO suggests a very WIDE step.)
3. (With your hands on your HIPS) YOU BRING YOUR KNEES IN TIGHT.
4. (Then) THE PELVIC THRUST (if repeated FIVE times, it nearly drives you insa-a-ane)
5. HIPSWIVEL (if not driven insa-a-ane by step four)
6. LET’S DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN! (instructions)
Don’t worry if you forget the steps, the movie and cast members will show you how to do it!
The easiest way to enjoy losing your RHPS V-card to is to relax and have fun. Everyone has their own phrases they say, their own props they use, and their own unique way in participating in this crazy experience. Sing along, shout at the screen, dance the Time Warp, put a newspaper on your head, and, in the words of Dr. Frank-n-Furter, give yourself over to absolute pleasure. The show is all about sex, self-acceptance, and 70s singer Meat Loaf’s brain being split between two people. Don’t take anything, especially yourself, too seriously and you’ll have a great time.
SAA’s Rocky Horror Picture Show was out of this world, and I can only say I hope I get to take that step to the right with SAA again next year!