Halloween may have passed, but there is still one more strange journey to Transylvania that you can take. “Time will stand still” as UT students perform the classic “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” GLTSBA made the show possible with funding from Student Government and the Film Society. Melissa Block, a sophomore film major, is directing the fun and quirky shadow cast production along with some help from assistant directors Taylor Allman and Krystle Parks.
Block gave some insight on the shadow cast style that is associated with “Rocky Horror.”
“The idea is supposed to be a fun movie night with a stage performance of actors who will act the movie out as it is playing. The idea of the shadow cast is to be making fun of the movie. This has been a tradition since the movie was first released in the 1975,” Block said.
“Rocky Horror” originally debuted in Westward, Calif. and quickly gained a following around the country. The counter-cultural show fascinated millions with its twisted plot, odd array of characters and audience interaction. The interaction aspect varies from yelling call back or ad lib responses to throwing rice, paper, hot dogs and other weird things not normally allowed in theatres. The most famous interaction is the well-known dance, the Time Warp. UT’s cast is thrilled to be a part of the Rocky Horror tradition and hope to gain some more fans.
Melisa Pegley, a freshman communication major, is playing the role of Magenta. She hopes audience members embrace the show.
“What I can say about the show is that it can definitely rub some people the wrong way. The live show has a lot of audience participation, which I’m hoping we’ll get!” Pegley said.
“For those that don’t know it, it’ll be like nothing they’ve ever experienced,” Rachel Dawson, a junior communication major playing Janet, commented.
Vitale Christy, playing Frank-N-Furter, gave some insight about the bonds the cast has made while rehearsing for the big performance.
“It has been a load of fun working with this cast. I feel blessed to work with an amazing director on such a twisted, good show. This show will be a great opportunity for UT students to unwind and kick off exam week with just the right amount of craziness,” Christy said.
The student production of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is Nov. 30 at midnight in Cass Gym. There is no charge and doors open at 11:30 p.m. Get there early for the best seats in the house.
Katherine Lavacca can be reached at katherine.lavacca@spartans.ut.edu