The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a fun, loud Halloween favorite. Based on the stage musical by Richard O’Brien, the 1975 musical movie is a funny, sexy and subversive send-up of classic science fiction B-movies set to a pop-rock score. This midnight movie fave will be presented at The Suffolk on Oct. 29, complete with a shadowcast by Zen Productions.
The movie stars Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick as the naive but not-so-innocent Brad and Janet, a newly engaged couple who are stranded in the middle of nowhere and find themselves in the haunted mansion of Tim Curry’s Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a cross-dressing alien scientist who’s trying to create the perfect specimen, a muscle-bound airhead named Rocky (played by Peter Hinwood). There’s also a memorable appearance by Meat Loaf as Eddie, a delivery guy with a secret.
The loyal fandom of The Rocky Horror Picture Show has created an entire subculture around the raucous film. The Suffolk is leaning into the fun with Zen Productions performing the movie as it plays, complete with costumes, props and audience participation.
Never seen Rocky Horror? We spoke with Meg Sexton, marketing director at The Suffolk, about what beginners can expect.
“The way Suffolk is situated with tables, chairs, food and drinks throughout the night…the theater lends itself to an entirely different kind of experience that is even more participatory than one at a [more traditional cinema],” said Sexton.
Part of that participation includes an optional prop bag for purchase with your ticket. Zen Productions’ bag includes playing cards, bubbles, a bell, newspaper and a sponge. If you’ve never been to a screening before, Zen will let you know when it’s time for a prop. The same goes for callouts, in which the audience is encouraged to shout out (often raunchy) jokes before certain lines.
The Suffolk is also currently crafting some special cocktails themed around the movie, and Zen Productions will hold a costume contest, as well.
“It’s not your average movie screening,” said Sexton. “If anything, it involves everything you shouldn’t do while in a quiet movie theater. It’s an experience that asks for participation and talking and yelling and throwing things, so it’s the exact opposite of watching any sort of other movie in a theater, all in the name of pure fun.”
Tickets are currently available for the Oct. 29, 11:59 p.m. screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show at The Suffolk, 118 East Main Street, Riverhead.
