Monsters, aliens, and outrageous costumes—what better place is there to get into the Halloween spirit than “The Rocky Horror Picture Show?” The Stevens Dramatic Society (SDS) put on their ninth annual production of the cult classic on Thursday, October 29 through Saturday, October 31 at 9:30 p.m. The show is a “shadowcast,” or a stage production that involves the source film playing in the background and actors reenacting the film in front of and around the audience.
When the doors opened to Kidde 228, each night promptly at 9 p.m., students rushed in to grab seats. Many were marked with a lipstick “V,” distinguishing them as Rocky “virgins.” These first-time viewers were then incorporated into the performance. This year, there were so many students who wanted to watch the show that, for the first time in Stevens “Rocky” history, the cast and crew had to turn audience members away for both nights.
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” shadowcast phenomenon started 40 years ago when audience members watching the less-than-successful 1975 titular film started shouting out comedic lines during the movie. This aspect of the show is now dubbed “audience participation” (AP).
For each production, a set of lines is determined to provide maximum comedic effect on its audience. For instance, the SDS show features a slew of Stevens-specific lines in addition to the traditional commentary. According to AP member Greg Mercado, “The best thing about Rocky is that it’s crazy, and nobody cares.” Another unique aspect of the shadowcast is “Trixies,” who personify the giant lips and dance to the opening number, “Science Fiction.”
The story follows recently engaged couple Janet (Kayleigh Lassonde) and Brad (Jimmy Sweeney) as they find themselves at the mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Eddie Albright). Once there, they meet a whole crew of strange characters who excite and perturb them.
Freshman Kayleigh Lassonde said that she related a lot to her character, Janet. She auditioned for the show on a whim, and when she joined the cast, she knew nothing about the show. Just like Janet, she was thrust into a crazy new world and learned to love it. “I discovered a lot about myself. The whole experience was really empowering,”said Lassonde.
Eddie Albright, who played Frank-N-Furter, a “Sweet Transvestite from Sensational, Transylvania,” and a mad scientist, rated his experience with Rocky as extremely positive, too. According to Albright, the show”brings out the best in people” with how well it immerses the audience. Albright and the rest of the cast and crew were excited by how receptive the audience was this year.
As the audience for Rocky and other shadowcasts is growing, producer Kevin Alvarez is forming a new RSO for these shows. Alvarez encourages Stevens students to “come see the spring shadowcast or even audition for it because as we become a new RSO, we will need fans and new members.” The success of previous spring shadowcasts (“Mulan” and “South Park”) is evidence that there is an interest in these shows, and if the two “sold out” showings of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” are anything to go by, this new group will have no trouble in finding an audience for their productions.
