Cardinal Stage is hosting its 15th annual screening of the cult classic Halloween movie Rocky Horror Picture Show at 9 p.m. Oct. 22 at Starlite Drive-in theater.
The annual screening is usually premiered at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event will be at the Starlite Drive-in.
Kate Galvin, artistic director of Cardinal Stage, said theater company still encourages people to dress up in their Halloween costume even though there won’t be a costume competition this year due to the pandemic.
The movie Rocky Horror Picture Show is about a newly engaged couple whose car breaks down in an isolated place during a storm, seeks shelter at the residence of Dr. Frank-n-Furter and meets wild characters.
Cardinal Stage began this annual screening of the Rocky Horror Picture Show movie in 2006 as a fundraiser for Cardinal Stage IU Credit Union Education Initiative, an educational program where people of all ages, economic backgrounds and cultures can participate in theater. They can also take courses in scene study, improv, fight choreography, speech, directing and more.
Gabe Gloden, managing director of Cardinal Stage, explained why this 1975 movie is still so popular today.
“I think the reason why this movie is still so popular today is because many young teens feel represented because of the LGBTQ+ community being represented,“ Gloden said. “It’s just amazing that a film from 1975 still has that exciting movie experience, I can’t think of another film that has such a close connection among young people.”
Galvin said she has attended the annual movie screening twice.
“People come over from all over the places and ages, you have parents introducing this movie to their teens for the first time and die hard fans who come back year after year,” Galvin said.
Cassie Hakken, marketing manager of Cardinal Stage, said they still encourage viewers to dress up and scream at the screen.
“It's an active show where you have people dress up in costumes and people yelling at the screen that makes the screening experience better,” Hakken said.
Members said they hope events like this will help people realize you can still enjoy some experiences and feel a sense of community, despite the pandemic.
Tickets can be purchased for $15 at the door or for $12 in advance on the Rocky Horror website.
