Classic ‘Rocky Horror’ back at Buskirk Theater

“It’s so bad that it’s great,” freshman Sarah Van Tassel said.

The Cardinal Stage Company will present its fifth-annual showing of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” on Saturday at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater to raise money for their educational programming.

There are two showings, at 8 p.m. and midnight, and admission is $10 if in costume and $15 for general admission.

Cardinal Artistic Director Randy White said he thinks the costumes play into the experience.

“The costumes are so outrageous, and they’re so easy to parody. It’s being a character different from you.”

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” was released in 1975, starring a young Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon and Meat Loaf. The story is about a young engaged couple whose car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, and the two find shelter in the strange home of Dr. Frank-N-Furter.

Van Tassel added that people love to watch the movie as a way to rebel because it is strange and against social norms. And to some participants, the plot is not what makes the movie a cult classic.

“It’s inexplicable. I think it really has to do with the music,” White said. “The movie itself is terrible, but the music fabulous.”

The film is also known for its audience participation, such as the “Time Warp” dance, The Cardinal Stage Company will have a “de-virginization” ritual half an hour before the show to initiate all the newcomers and to catch them up with movie scenes that include audience participation. There will also be a costume contest.

“You get to come up on stage, dress up any way you want and have fun with 600 friends that you never met before,” Cardinal General Manager Katie Becker said. “You get up and dance and be a part of the movie.“

For Van Tassel, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” has been something she said she has wanted to participate in since her freshman year in high school.

“It’s really the experience – it’s a big group performance when it’s done properly,” she said. “It’s just a big impromptu performance, a big high-energy event.”