Written by Rick Sullivan

What the hell is this?

This is The Rocky Horror Picture Show, a 1975 musical parody of science-fiction and horror B-movies, directed by Jim Sharman with a screenplay by Richard O’Brien and Sharman, based on a play entitled The Rocky Horror Show by O’Brien, who also wrote all music and lyrics.

The play, The Rocky Horror Show, originated in England and then traveled to Los Angeles at The Roxy and was successful, and that success did not follow to New York City. Lou Adler, who produced the play in L.A., helped to make it into a film; production began on October 21, 1974. The film premiered in London on August 14, 1975 and in Hollywood on September 26, 1975.

It bombed almost everywhere, with the exception of L.A. due to the small following the play had gathered at The Roxy. Twentieth Century Fox noticed that same number of tickets was being sold and that the same people continued to show up to the film, and re-released it as a midnight movie. Its first midnight run started in New York City at the Waverly Theater in Greenwich Village, where they already had two successful midnight showings of Night of the Living Dead (1968) and El Topo (1974) on April 26, 1976; this was where audience participation began in the late 1970s.

Once the first “shadowcast” (a cast whose live performance is done in front of the film itself) started there, they started springing up everywhere, especially in gay communities, art houses, and college campuses. Today there are roughly 64 regularly-performing casts (casts that perform at least once a month) in America, about 2 in Canada, and 14 overseas, including England, France, and Australia.

Aside from being the most fun you could have in a corset, fishnets, and whiteface, Rocky Horror has always been a place where people from all backgrounds, nationalities, and sexual preferences are welcomed and embraced.

I’ve heard a lot of horrible, horrible things about Rocky Horror. Is this a safe place for me/my child?

Rocky Horror has a long history which started in the late ‘70s, and you know the stories.

While we can’t speak for every cast in the country, or the world for that matter, Rocky Horror in Aberdeen, New Jersey is a very safe place. We have a no-tolerance policy about drugs and alcohol, and our security team has no problem dealing with someone who is under the influence of any sort of toxin. We also work well with the Aberdeen Police Department and we have no problem calling them if we need to. All in all, as Producer Ryan Wilson says, “We’re the safest place your kid can be a on a Friday night.”

Do I have to be 17- or 18-years old to get in?

The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a Rated-R movie but all ages are permitted into the theater. Keep in mind, however, the audience participation lines are often crass, vulgar, and sometimes offensive, and we have no control over what they yell. The pre-show activities also contain strong adult language and the movie performance contains adult sexual themes and pantomimes. We do not recommend the show for people who are easily offended. All ages are permitted, but please, parents and kids alike, use your discretion.

What time does it start?

We let the audience into the theater at midnight, but due to pre-show activities, the film starts between 12:30 and 12:45, depending on the night.

What time should I show up?

As stated above, we let the audience into the theater at midnight, but we recommend you show up earlier; if anything, Rocky Horror is a very friendly atmosphere and it is fun to hang out and talk with the cast and fellow audience members before the show.

What time should I expect to get out?

The film is 100 minutes long, so the theater lets out somewhere around 2:30-ish, depending on the night.

What exactly does my $6.50 ticket include?

Your $6.50 admission gets you not just The Rocky Horror Picture Show, but the entire Rocky Horror Picture Show Experience. On an average night, the audience goes into the theater at midnight. They find their seats and hang out while music plays for ten to fifteen minutes, and then the lights go down and the audience sits down.

At about 12:10, 12:15, the cast performs an original pre-show skit, similar to that of Saturday Night Live (but good, compared to the quality of SNL in the past fifteen years). This is will last about five to ten minutes, and then the pre-show activities begin led by two or three emcees.

The rules are given, as well as news and events. Then “virgins” (see next question) are asked to come down to the stage and go through “poppings.” Depending on the amount of virgins, the film will begin between 12:30 and 12:45.

Oh, my God, I have a “V” on my forehead? Why?!

This means that you are a “virgin.” No, we have no interest in your sexual history, or perhaps the lack thereof; however, we do have quite an interest in whether or not you have ever seen The Rocky Horror Picture Show performed in a movie theater with a live cast.

Perhaps you have seen it on Broadway. That’s great, good for you…too bad we don’t care. Or maybe you’ve watched in your parent’s basement on VH1…guess what? I don’t think we could not give any more of a shit.

Perhaps you have seen a live cast perform somewhere else…that’s fine and dandy.

But if you have never seen the movie performed with a live cast, then you are labeled a VIRGIN, whether you’re eight-years old or seventy. We just might brand you with a lipstick or eye-linered “V” on your forehead. No matter what, you are new to the Rocky Horror experience and there are rules you must follow.

During the pre-show activities, the emcees will tell all the virgins to come down to the stage. If you are a virgin, it is in your best interest to come down and join the festivities…not because bodily harm will be inflicted on you if you don’t, but because you are, off the bat, going against everything Rocky Horror stands for.

The backbone of Rocky Horror is audience participation. While this does include the yelling and screaming during the movie, but it also includes all newcomers be given the proper welcome.

Every now and then, we get a straggler or two who are too shy, afraid, or embarrassed to come to the stage with everyone else. Virgin poppings are nothing but initiations into the cult of Rocky Horror…you are expected to join the virgin games, not just by the cast and emcees, but also by the entire audience…guess what? They’ve all done it too.

And remember…we’re not laughing at you…we’re laughing with you (whether or not you are actually laughing).

You won’t be crucified or whipped (unless you ask), we just play a couple games to get you into the Rocky Horror mindset. And then you sit down and enjoy the rest of the show. The best part is that you can bring your friends the next week and make them go through the same ordeal you did and revel in it!

Overall, you will not be made to do anything you may find offensive or morally wrong (but if you have morals…what the fuck are you doing at Rocky Horror?)…they’re just games. Have some fun, for God’s sake.

Besides, this movie is thirty-two years old…what the hell have you been doing with yourself that you’ve never found the much-needed time to come and join our little party? Shame on you.

Can we bring our own props?

Of course, but please keep in mind we do not allow squirt guns and water pistols, any form of toast, and open flames (lighters, no; fags, yes). Other than that, you’re welcome to bring toilet paper, rice, and the like.

Please keep in mind that we sell prop bags for $1.50 and it contains a roll of toilet paper, a bell, playing cards, newspaper, a bag of rice, a rubber glove, a noise maker, a party popper, and a glow stick.

Is there nudity?

Intentionally, no…but accidents have occurred from time to time. Hey…if it can happen to Janet Jackson, it can happen to us.

Still In Development
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