WHAT EVERY ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW “NEWBIE” SHOULD KNOW…

On Saturday, March 22nd, CCSC will present the movie, ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (RHPS).

This event is open to the general public.

A WORD OF “CAUTION”…For those “Newbies” among us who have never experienced RHPS, a word of caution…SOME PEOPLE MIGHT FIND IT OFFENSIVE.  It is not our intention to offend anyone, but to have a lot of fun starting the new year off right.  RHPS is adult entertainment.  If you feel that this movie/event might offend you, please don't come…we’ll see you at our next event.

You chose this document because you are hopefully going to consider attending our showing of Rocky Horror.

If you've already seen the video and wondered what all the fuss was about, (RHPS Newbie) read on. If you haven't seen the video - GREAT! The more surprised you are on your first time, the more fun it is.

Rocky Horror is the first and only true audience partici-(SAY IT!)-pation movie. People yell back lines at the screen during the extended pauses between dialogues, dress up in costume and act out the film, and throw props various times during the film. The audience participation phenomenon was observed as early as the film's first run in 1975 (when it bombed during limited engagements in 7 of 8 cities), and was later re-released as a midnight movie where the audience participation really began to flourish. And by the way, for the "gore sensitive", Rocky Horror is NOT a horror film. It is a rock-musical spin-off of old science fiction and horror films.

Enough history! You are interested in going, so here's what you really need to know.

First, the only thing you really need to bring in order to have fun is a sense of humor. Of course, being surrounded by many of your CCSC friends is also a good thing. The Oasis will be open during the entire event.  You should dress in whatever makes YOU feel comfortable.

But hey, what about the props, audience participation lines, and dressing up in costume? Well, no one expects you to know much of anything your first time out. While audience participation is mandatory to keep the show alive, it is not mandatory that everyone participate, every time.  Rocky Newbies are not expected to know much of anything about the show…that’s why you’re reading this.

If you really want to bring props, we’re going to keep it pretty tame…we don’t want to create a total mess at the club, just have a good time.  The safest ones to bring are popcorn, toast (UNBUTTERED), toilet paper (STILL ON ROLL), newspaper, noisemakers, a bell, a flashlight, and a deck of cards.

Here’s a basic list of props and their suggested use…

Artwork by Phil De Jean

1) POPCORN - At the beginning of the film is the wedddding of Ralph Hapschatt and Betty Munroe. As the newlyweds exit the church, you should throw the popcorn as the on-screen wedding guests throw their rice.  (Hint: Popcorn is easier to cleanup the following morning than rice.)

2) Newspapers - When Brad and Janet are caught in the ssstorm, Janet covers her head with a newspaper The "Plain Dealer". At this point, you should likewise cover your head…or not (grin).

There’s more…keep reading.

3) Water pistols - These are used by members of the audiennnce to simulate the rainstorm that Brad and Janet are caught in. (Now do you see why you should use the newspapers?)  Let’s not shoot the club’s ceiling…please.

4) Flashlights - During the "There's a light" verse of "Over at the Frankenstein Place, "you should light up the theater with your FLASHLIGHTS. (PLEASE, NO OPEN FLAMES…WE WANT TO HAVE FUN, NOT CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT!)

5) Rubber gloves - During and after the creation speech, FFFrank snaps his rubber gloves three times. Later, Magenta pulls these gloves off his hands. You should snap your gloves in sync each time to create a fantastic sound effect.

6) Noisemakers - At the end of the creation speech, the Transylvanians respond with applause and noisemakers. You should do the same.  By the way, use of noisemakers is acceptable ANYTIME during the movie.

7) Streamers (Please, no Confetti) - At the end of the "Charles Atlas SSSong" reprise, the Transylvanians throw confetti as Rocky and Frank head toward the bedroom. You should do the same.  (HINT: Popcorn works better than confetti anyway.)

8) Toilet paper - When Dr. Scott enters the lab, Brad criiies out "Great Scott!" At this point, you should hurl rolls of toilet paper into the air. (Preferably Scotts.)

9) Toast - When Frank proposes a toast at dinner, members of the audience throw toast into the air. (Preferably unbuttered - things could get sticky.)

l0) Party Hat -At the diner table, when Frank puts on a party hat, you should do the same.

11) Bell - During the song "Planet Schmanet,&&" ring the bell when Frank sings "Did you hear a bell ring?"  Bells are welcome to be rung anytime during the show…if you feel like it, do it.

12) Cards - During the song "I'm Going Home&quuuot; Frank sings "Cards for sorrow, cards for pain". At this point you should shower the theater with cards.

Websites: http://www.rockyhorror.com/

MOVIE REVIEWS

The following reviews of RHPS were taken from the Internet.  We’re including them here for Newbies to get a sense of what’s happening.

If a musical sci-fi satire about an alien transvestite named Frank-n-Furter, who is building the perfect man while playing sexual games with his virginal visitors, sounds like an intriguing premise for a movie, then you're in for a treat. Not only is The Rocky Horror Picture all this and more, but it stars the surprising cast of Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick (as the demure Janet and uptight Brad, who get lost in a storm and find themselves stranded at Frank-n-Furter's mansion), Meat Loaf (as the rebel Eddie), Charles Gray (as our criminologist and narrator), and, of course, the inimitable Tim Curry as our "sweet transvestite from Transsexual, Transylvania."

Upon its release in 1975, the film was an astounding flop. But a few devotees persuaded a New York theater to show it at midnight, and thus was born one of the ultimate cult films of all time. The songs are addictive (just try getting "The Time Warp" or "Toucha Toucha Touch Me" out of your head), the raunchiness amusing, and the plot line utterly ridiculous--in other words, this film is simply tremendous good fun. The downfall, however, is that much of the amusement is found in the audience participation that is obviously missing from a video version (viewers in theaters shout lines at the screen and use props--such as holding up newspapers and shooting water guns during the storm, and throwing rice during a wedding scene). Watched alone as a straight movie, Rocky Horror loses a tremendous amount of its charm. Yet, for those who wish to perfect their lip-synching techniques for movie theater performances or for those who want to gather a crowd around the TV at home for some good, old-fashioned, rowdy fun, this film can't be beat.

Another review…

I'm sure anyone who has ever heard of Rocky Horror has heard about it's strange cult following. Why, you ask? The Rocky Horror Picture Show is truly one of a kind. I have seen the movie at least twenty times in my lifetime (that's not a lot, compared to true fans), and surprisingly, it has never once bored me. Upon one viewing, I decided that I was too tired to really watch, so I was going to fast forward through parts of it. By the first song, "Science Fiction Double Feature", with those big, red lips up on the screen, I was hooked. The songs are very catchy, with funny lyrics that will stay in your head for weeks to come (a mixed blessing to some). Tim Curry gives his all as Frank-n-Furter, a scientist from another planet who has strange parties in the middle of the night. This part showcases his great voice, and his over-the-top acting. Also recommended for fans of Susan Sarandon. This is one of her earlier works, and you can tell that to this day, she is a little embarrassed about it. If for nothing else than a pop culture reference, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a must-see. Obviously, some people will not like this film, but it's their loss.

Please come, join the phunn, and we'll all have something to talk about all year!!!!!

Respectfully,