Let's do the time warp again! 'Rocky Horror' set for midnight showing at State Theatre

Oct. 28—It's time to put on your best heels, pull out a squirt gun and head over to the Frankenstein place.

The cult classic musical "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" returns for a midnight showing at The State Theatre, 317 E. Market, Friday night. The film caps off the second Ghouls Night Out event, a bar crawl through downtown Logansport.

"Rocky Horror" tells the story of Brad and Janet (Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon), a newly engaged couple who find themselves stranded after a flat tire. They reach a mysterious castle and, seeking help, meet the mad scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry) on the very night he is set to unveil the results of his science project. Curry spends the entire film in high heels and a corset.

"It's a show that is so unique it has become ageless," said Lorien Stair-Spicer, actor, director and secretary for the Civic Players of Logansport. "Honestly to me it's about acceptance. No matter how big of a freak or weirdo you are, you can feel at home with 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show.' The staying power has been incredible to me."

The film has been a garish beacon for outsiders approaching 50 years now.

"It's a shocking depiction of good and evil, loss of innocence, homesickness," said Logansport's Kelly Kollmar, a regular Frankie fan. "It's got fun songs, fun characters and it's all thrown together in a creative pile that resembles the old story of Dr. Frankenstein. Plus I just love Tim Curry."

Audience Partici...pation

One of the aspects of the "Rocky Horror" experience that has made it a cult classic is the addition of an audience call-and-response between the characters onscreen and audience members. There are also audience members in costume who act out the film as it plays.

Both Kollmar and Stair-Spicer first encountered "Rocky Horror" with aspects of its audience participation.

Stair-Spicer recalled her mother lining the living room with trash bags when she was young and then showing her "Rocky Horror," complete with all the props. Kollmar came across a VHS recording of the movie when she was a teenager that included the shadow cast, the fans who act out the film.

"The Rocky Horror Picture Show," adapted from a 1973 stage musical, debuted as a film in 1975. It was a giant flop.

But, just like the B-movies that inspired it, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" began developing a cult following. Five months into its New York City run, a niche audience began to show up not just to watch the film but to interact with it, yelling — often vulgar — responses and commentary at the screen.

Things grew to the point where the responses became part of a script that fans knew as well as the actual film dialogue. They dressed up for the show, brought props, and an underground phenomenon grew with fanzines and conventions. A soundtrack was even released with full audience participation recorded alongside the movie.

"Thanks to Kevin Burkett at The State Theatre, he has been playing ("Rocky Horror") for a few years now," Kollmar said. "They don't have an actual shadow cast, but there are enough people who are dressed as the characters who will jump up for parts of scenes. I can't wait until we can do a full shadow cast one of these years."

Kollmar recalled watching a friend propose to his girlfriend during 2021's showing at The State Theatre. They were both in costume, and her friend timed his proposal to occur when the "Wedding March" played during the film.

"If you want to have fun, sit close to the screen," Kollmar recommended for those who might be attending their first theater showing of "Rocky Horror." "And also get the prop bags that Kevin sits out for everybody. And follow the rules. When it says cover your head with a newspaper, do that. When it says to throw something, throw it. Getting involved is so fun. Or even just sitting in the back and watching. It's something different."

Stair-Spicer encouraged everyone who hasn't seen the film to give it a try at some point.

"It's always spoke to me," she said. "Don't judge a book by its cover. You never know when your tire may blow and you have to knock on the door of a castle and get pulled inside this crazy world."

Ghoul's Night Out 2

There's plenty to do in downtown Logansport Friday night to keep everyone awake for a midnight movie.

Eight local businesses will be part of a pub crawl that begins at 5 p.m. Friday evening.

Participants can pick up a card from any of the businesses and collect stamps as they visit each one. Those who collect five stamps may turn their card in at The State Theatre beginning at 10:30 p.m. for a free t-shirt (while supplies last).

At 10:30 p.m., The State Theatre will premiere "The Curtain," a short film by local Terry Rouch. The film was described as a mix of a psychedelic comedy routine performed by the 1960's band The Monkees, an absurdist music video and a B-horror film by Brett Manning, owner of The Lantern and Rouch's daughter-in-law.

The Record Farm and Bonus Pints, 430 E. Broadway, will also host an all ages music show at 8 p.m. featuring Moon Goons and Alien Masters of Doom.