Let’s do the Time Warp again.
Making a return for the first time since 2019 is the wildly popular screening of 1975 cult-classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Rotary Performing Arts Centre on Oct. 15.
Organizing the event for the fifth time is Okotoks acupuncturist Dr. Jared McCollum, who will be sporting drag as the bombastic central character, Dr. Frank-N-Furter.
“This is an opportunity for you to just get silly and ridiculous and just enjoy yourself for the evening,” said McCollum.
“You can always see those that are not sure what this is and might be a tad uncomfortable to start, but by the end they’re all dancing and having fun together.”
The 'comedy horror musical’ opens with milquetoast couple Brad Majors and Janet Weiss, played by Barry Bostwick and Academy Award-winner Susan Sarandon, getting a flat tire and finding their way to the castle of mad cross-dressing scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter.
There they meet other peculiar guests, including the Igor-like Riff Raff, French maid Magenta, among other bizarre characters.
Song, dance and garish debauchery ensue and audience participation is a huge part of a Rocky Horror showing, which originally spawned from reactions and heckling of the extremely campy flick.
“This is a show that honestly isn’t particularly great, but it is a cult classic; it has developed a following for many years and in the ‘80s and ‘90s it was only being played at midnight at the small downtown theatres,” McCollum said. “And this thing kind of developed where people would shout certain things at certain times or throw props.
“Now the Town provides you with it, so you show up, get a little bag and everything's in there, and we even give you a little cheat sheet on what to do at what time.
“In the stands we give you all the props to be involved in the show, like rice to throw at the wedding, or when there’s the toast you have little pieces of toast to chuck across the room.”
Another key component to the evening is costumes, for which there will be a contest.
“There’s prizes, so if you’ve ever wanted to do Rocky Horror and be wild, please do so,” McCollum said.
“If you have a favourite character in the show or you’ve got a favourite song, you dress up and you’re part of it. I’ll bring you up on stage and you get to act out that scene while the movie is playing on stage with me.”
While the audience will be rife with hardcore fans, newcomers to the show are encouraged and welcome – and can wear with pride the ‘Rocky Horror Virgin’ badge that will be provided.
“The Virgins get a sticker, and when we start there’s always the ‘Virgin Oath’, that everyone takes,” McCollum said.
With one hand on their crotch and the other held up, the oath is given to have a good time and not get offended.
“I’m always amazed at who shows up, because you have the hardcore people all dressed up,” McCollum said. “Then you’ve got the grandma and grandpa that came with their kids or friends and are like ‘Where did I end up? What is this place?’
“And by the end of the night I’ve got them up on the stage bumping and grinding, got grandpa slapping my ass and doing the Time Warp.”
The film is rated 18+, but the RPAC allows for parental discretion with youth.
The screening is at 7:30 p.m. with doors open at 7 and tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door.
“It usually always sells out, so get tickets right away, because usually by that evening it’s sold out,” McCollum said.
Following the screening this year, he added, is an after-party at the cocktail lounge Saluté.
For tickets and information visit okotoksculture.ca
