|
|
|
Pittsburg resident Joy Reed and her friend Gayle Callahan used to go watch the Rocky Horror Picture Show at Grubbs Hall when they were students at Pittsburg State University back in the 1980s. So when Callahan, who now lives in Kansas City, decided to visit her long-time friend this weekend, she knew they had to dress up and go to Friday’s screening of the infamous movie at the Colonial Fox Theater.
At screenings worldwide, audience members are encouraged to dress as characters from the campy film — the most popular is the lingerie-clad transvestite Dr. Frank-N-Furter. They also participate in the scenes, with props including squirt guns, toast, bird seed, rubber gloves, toilet paper rolls, cards, and bells. Reed and Callahan didn’t pick any particular character to portray, choosing instead to combine the essence of many.
“We were inspired by the ambiance of the film,” said Reed, whose husband donated a suit, which she cut down the middle to combine with half of a ballerina’s tutu.
Reed said the movie was something everyone should experience at least once.
“Strictly speaking, it’s not a very good movie,” Reed said, laughing. “But it’s a uniquely enjoyable cinematic experience.”
The CFT Foundation has screened the 1975 classic four years in a row. But this year’s showing is the first time a shadow cast was employed, said Foundation Executive Director Vonnie Corsini.
“I was visiting the theater in Tuscon, where they show it every month,” Corsini said. “I thought, ‘This is so brilliant, getting people involved like this.’”
Corsini said she hopes to start a tradition of using a shadow cast during screenings.
Amy Shoemaker brought her friend, Sarah Collyer, to see the film for the first time Friday. Shoemaker has seen the film multiple times, she said, and wanted to share her passion for it.
“It’s not your average movie experience,” Shoemaker said. “You really get into it and everybody gets really excited. I have a friend that lives in New York, where they show it all the time. I really want to see it there.”
Judy Jo Allen showed up with four of her friends several hours before the show to make sure they had prime seats next to the projector.
“We just came to do the Tiiiiiiiiiiimewarp!” Allen said, adding that watching the audience is half the fun of the experience. “We like to come and watch the younger folks have a good time.”
Pittsburg resident Joy Reed and her friend Gayle Callahan used to go watch the Rocky Horror Picture Show at Grubbs Hall when they were students at Pittsburg State University back in the 1980s. So when Callahan, who now lives in Kansas City, decided to visit her long-time friend this weekend, she knew they had to dress up and go to Friday’s screening of the infamous movie at the Colonial Fox Theater.
At screenings worldwide, audience members are encouraged to dress as characters from the campy film — the most popular is the lingerie-clad transvestite Dr. Frank-N-Furter. They also participate in the scenes, with props including squirt guns, toast, bird seed, rubber gloves, toilet paper rolls, cards, and bells. Reed and Callahan didn’t pick any particular character to portray, choosing instead to combine the essence of many.
“We were inspired by the ambiance of the film,” said Reed, whose husband donated a suit, which she cut down the middle to combine with half of a ballerina’s tutu.
Reed said the movie was something everyone should experience at least once.
“Strictly speaking, it’s not a very good movie,” Reed said, laughing. “But it’s a uniquely enjoyable cinematic experience.”
The CFT Foundation has screened the 1975 classic four years in a row. But this year’s showing is the first time a shadow cast was employed, said Foundation Executive Director Vonnie Corsini.
“I was visiting the theater in Tuscon, where they show it every month,” Corsini said. “I thought, ‘This is so brilliant, getting people involved like this.’”
Corsini said she hopes to start a tradition of using a shadow cast during screenings.
Amy Shoemaker brought her friend, Sarah Collyer, to see the film for the first time Friday. Shoemaker has seen the film multiple times, she said, and wanted to share her passion for it.
“It’s not your average movie experience,” Shoemaker said. “You really get into it and everybody gets really excited. I have a friend that lives in New York, where they show it all the time. I really want to see it there.”
Judy Jo Allen showed up with four of her friends several hours before the show to make sure they had prime seats next to the projector.
“We just came to do the Tiiiiiiiiiiimewarp!” Allen said, adding that watching the audience is half the fun of the experience. “We like to come and watch the younger folks have a good time.”
