October 27, 2021

“It’s just a jump to the left…”

This Friday and Saturday, October 29 and 30, join the cast of Wagnalls Community Theater (WCT) for the Rocky Horror Picture Show from 8 pm to 10 pm at Wagnalls Memorial (150 East Columbus Street, Lithopolis).

As the original 1975 film, starring Tim Curry and Susan Sarandon, plays on the screen a shadow cast of actors will act out the scenes in front of the movie.

“They are in costume, dancing along and may even pop up in the audience!” said Donna Elliott of the WCT.

For those unfamiliar with the cult classic, Rocky Horror tells the story of a young couple, Janet and Brad, who seek shelter in a castle when their car breaks down on a dark and stormy night.  They are welcomed inside the castle by a strange group of oddly dressed people taking part in some sort of convention.  Things grow even more peculiar upon meeting their host, Dr. Frank N. Furter, who leads them to his laboratory to witness the birth of his creation, Rocky.

In 1976, midnight showings of the movie at the Waverly Theater in New York attracted a cult following with audience members dressing as their favorite characters, joining the dance numbers, yelling established lines at the screen and bringing props. This was also the beginning of the shadow cast performances.  The phenomenon spread around the world, spawning fan clubs and conventions.

“We have not done this show here at Wagnalls before,” Elliott said. “We wanted to give it a try because our theater is such a great venue to do it in and it has given us a ‘lighter’ jump back into theater since shutdown.”

Chris Gallaugher from the Pickerington Community Theatre (PCT) is directing the “great cast who are all SO excited to be doing this show!” Elliott said.

Half of the actors are new to the Wagnalls theater and “it has been great fun getting to know them and adding them to our bunch of crazies!,” Elliott said.

Gallaugher said that with this type of show the performers “have to be all-in to sell. This cast is not at all shy about the roles they are playing. Many of them have seen the movie many times (there is a lot of nostalgia with this show). They are having fun with it and that is the key to success!”

“People should come and experience this show because it’s been a classic for generations and it’s an experience like no other!” Elliott said.

Ticket holders are encouraged to attend in costume as there will be prizes awarded for best dressed.  Included with admission will be a bag of props for use throughout the show.

“It is an audience participation style show,” Gallaigher said. “You don’t have to be a passive observer. It’s crazy adult fun!”

Tickets for the show can be purchased through the Wagnalls Ticket website  for $15.00 plus a $1.75 handling fee. 

The WCT Facebook page cautions “this one is for the grown-ups”. The Facebook page also includes biographies of Gallaugher and his talented cast.