Madness takes its toll at ICMC

It’s that time of year again, when children dress up as innocent characters such as Cinderella and Batman and go trick-or- treating, while college students take off more clothing each year, proclaiming themselves to be “French maids” or “schoolgirls,” trading in their candy for copious amounts of alcohol. Halloween, however, also brings back the 1975 science fiction musical, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” directed by Jim Sharman, which will be playing at the Inter-Campus Music Center on Oct. 30 at 8 p.m. “[ICMC] thought [that showing the movie near Halloween] would be a fun activity for UR students” ICMC events coordinator and senior Jamilyn Kennell said. The film documents a recently engaged, straight-laced couple, Susan Sarandon as Janet Weiss and Barry Bostwick – most recently seen in a Pepsi twist commercial – as Brad Majors, who stumble upon a mansion after their car gets a flat tire. Complete with transvestites from a fictional Transsexual in the galaxy of Transylvania and a newly created “muscle man,” Rocky Horror, played by body-builder Pete Hinwood, Brad and Janet are given the sexual shock of a lifetime – their clothes are immediately stripped off their bodies and they both unknowingly have sex with transvestite Dr. Frank-N-Furter, played by Tim Curry. The film is based on the play “The Rocky Horror Show” by Richard O’Brian, who premiered the musical in London, receiving so much acclaim that American producer Lou Adler bought the American rights to the production and showcased the musical to sold-out audiences at his Roxy Theater in Los Angeles.After its success on the American stage, 20th Century Fox agreed to create a film based on the play. Its result – “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” “Rocky Horror” first began playing at the Waverly Theater in New York City at midnight, and from there, developed a cult following. Audience members returned each night dressed as their favorite characters, and after memorizing the script, yelled vulgar lines or pop culture references before and after a character’s line, creating an interactive and more entertaining environment. For example, when Janet and Brad’s car has broken down in the middle of nowhere and they they do not know where to go, Janet says to Brad, “Didn’t we pass a castle back down the road a few miles? Maybe they have a telephone I could use.” The audience, however, would yell, “Hey asshole, what’s white and sells hamburgers” before her line, and “Castles don’t have phones, asshole” after it, illustraing the interconnectedness of the film and its audience.Audience members further brought props to “Rocky Horror,” including rice, newspaper, water pistols, candles, flashlights, rubber gloves, noisemakers, confetti, toilet paper, toast, a party hat, a bell, cards, hot dogs and prunes, which they would either throw or use during their appropriate moments throughout the film. On Oct. 30, “students who attend the movie are encouraged, but not required to come in costume,” Kennell said. Students are also encouraged to yell out unscripted lines, as the “Rocky Horror” experience would be incomplete without this essential element. The viewing is free of charge – simply show up at ICMC at 8 p.m., and try to dress up. After all, when else can you dress up as a member of the faraway galaxy of Transylvania? Katz can be reached atjkatz@campustimes.org.