FAYETTEVILLE A Little Bit Warped

Halloween fun takes ‘a step to the right’

A BIT WARPED Halloween fun takes step to right
A BIT WARPED Halloween fun takes step to right

— It’s red lipstick. It’s garters and fishnets. It’s oiled bare bodies, stiletto heels, leather chokers, superdark eyeliner, racy musical numbers and all-around overthe-top freaky kinkiness.

And it’s coming to a theater near you.

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is likely the ultimate cult classic. A parody of scifi flicks and B-movie horror films, the musical - and its outrageous sexuality - have titillated fans for decades.

“‘Rocky Horror’ has a really big following,” says Matthew Chavez, president of University Programs at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and event coordinator for the annual Halloween showing of the film at the Arkansas Student Union. It’s the Innovative Arts Committee’s most-attended event, he says, drawing around 300 people. “It’s really big with the community ... it’s not just a student-centered event.”

So everyone is invited to watch - and participate in - the show.

The movie, which was an adaptation of a British musical stage play, stars Tim Curry as a flamboyant transvestite mad scientist and Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick as a sheltered newly engaged couple who happen into his lair.

“A series of wacky events ensues, to put it mildly,” says Matthew Midgett, president of PRIDE (People Respecting Individual Differences and Equality), a campus group helping to organize the event this year. “It’s just what happens when everyone lets go,” he says of the movie.

But the film is only the basis for the phenomenon. A large portion of “Rocky Horror’s” cult appeal is what its fans doduring - or perhaps more accurately WITH - the movie.

During a wedding scene, moviegoers - many of whom come dressed as one of the show’s main characters or cabaret-worthy chorus members - toss rice. When characters are running in a rainstorm, fans hold newspapers over their heads and sometimes shoot off little water guns. Pieces of toast get pitched during a dinner scene.

“We give them little goodie bags so that they can do whatever they would normally do in the movie,” Chavez says.

And, of course, audience participation requires many lines and responses being recited (or yelled) and ample dancing.

“It really is the next step to the experience” of watching the show, Midgett says. “To make it more like you’re participating and like you’re inthe movie.”

Those unfamiliar with the protocol for watching “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” shouldn’t worry. “They love teaching newcomers,” Chavez says of fans. “They put a red lipstick X on your forehead” to show that “you’re like a virgin to the movie.” That way, “Rocky Horror” aficionados nearby can guide the virgins through their first time.

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is “definitely not” family-friendly, Midgett warns.

“It starts at sexy and coarse language and goes downhill from there,” with hyper-sexual situations of both the gay and straight varieties.

But the movie is “considered one of the longest releases in history,” still showing at theaters across the country, he adds. Viewings are especially frequent around Halloween, when people are already cutting loose and wearing costumes - when, he says, “you become someone else.”Play Along

Here’s what’s in a typical prop bag and how to use it, as described on “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” Official Fan Site:

◊Rice - A wedding begins the film. Rice should be thrown as the newlyweds leave the church.

◊Newspaper - When Brad and Janet are caught in a rainstorm, Janet covers her head with a newspaper. So should you.

◊Water Guns - Used by the audience to simulate the afore-mentioned rainstorm.

◊Candles (or flashlights) - For “There’s a light, over at the Frankenstein place...”

◊Rubber gloves - During and after the creation speech, Dr. Frank-N-Furter snaps his rubber gloves three times. You should snap your gloves in sync each time.

◊Noisemakers - At the end of the creation speech, the Transylvanians respond with applause and noisemakers. You should do the same.

◊Confetti - At the end of the “Charles Atlas Song” reprise, the Transylvanians throw confetti as Rocky and Frank head toward the bedroom. You should do the same.

◊Toilet paper - When Dr.

Scott enters the lab, Brad cries out “Great Scott!” At this point, you should hurl rolls of toilet paper into the air.

◊Party hat - At the dinner table, when Frank puts on a party hat, you should do the same.

◊Cards - During the song “I’m Going Home,” Frank sings “Cards for sorrow, cards for pain,” At this point, you should shower the theater with cards.

◊Hot dogs - It has happened, on occasion, that fans will throw hot dogs at their appropriate mention in the film.

This should not be encouraged because it leaves stains on the screen!

- SOURCE: WWW.ROCKY HORROR.COM

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FAQ

‘THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW’

WHEN - Midnight tonight (12 a.m. Oct. 30)

WHERE - University of Arkansas Student Union in Fayetteville

COST - Free

INFO - 575-5255 or 575-2000FYI

ANOTHER ‘SHOW’ING

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” will also be showing at the Lyric Theater in Harrison at 9 p.m. Saturday. Admission is for adults ages 18 and older. Tickets are $5 per person, and prop bags will be $2 each. For more information, call 870-391-3504.

Whats Up, Pages 13 on 10/29/2010

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