This October, Constellation Stage and Screen invites guests to “shiver with antici...pation” at the 17th annual screenings of Rocky Horror Picture Show at 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Oct. 29 at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater.
The 1975 cult-classic film follows the innocent Brad and Janet, a straight-edged, newly engaged couple who find themselves stranded with a flat tire during a heavy storm. After winding up at the mansion of Dr. Frank N. Furter – an eccentric scientist – the couple encounters a house full of wild characters, indulgent songs and dances.
“This show has a long history of audience participation,” according to Constellation’s press release, “At screenings, audiences typically throw rice, ring bells, yell specific phrases, and generally cause mayhem in the theater.”
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Constellation will offer audience members bags filled with props and instructions for participation for $5. Each bag includes a Newspaper, Party Hat, Playing Card, Toilet Paper, Rice, Squirt Gun, Noise Maker, Rubber Glove, Bells, Toast and an Audience Participation Guide.
Guests are invited to arrive early for a costume contest, hosted by Bloomington drag queen Oriana Perón. The pre-show celebrations will begin 30 minutes before each showing. Prizes provided by local businesses will be given to costume contest winners, and admission for the contest is $5. All proceeds will be donated to Constellation’s educational outreach programs, which make theater and film projects available to Bloomington youth.
Pre-show celebrations will also include a special “Devirginization” process. In Rocky Horror Picture Show screenings, “virgins” are any individuals who have never seen the film before with a live audience. The official Rocky Horror Picture Show Fan Website offers a “Virgin’s Guide” to participate in Rocky Horror screenings.
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Tickets for the Buskirk-Chumley screenings are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Tickets and details on the showing are available on Constellation’s website.
