Rocky Horror Picture Show

Obviously, Rocky Horror Picture Show is one of the worst films ever produced. But experiencing it with a live cast and an interactive audience is something one should not miss. With that said, we went to the Oriental Theater last night to see the midnight showing of this classic (it only shows at midnight every second Saturday of every month). Because of Valentine's day, this showing included a lingerie contest for both the men and women in attendance.

After a parade of men in silk boxers, Iron Man briefs, garters, corsets, and various lingerie-like attire, a male winner was chosen followed by a long line of female participants. I was horribly surprised by the thick bellied belles strutting their extra-large "stuff" across the stage. It was very Wisconsin-like. Both the male and female winners were given a free Rocky Horror t-shirt, a bumper sticker, and a free movie ticket to use on another day.

The contest was followed by cast introductions. After that, all the RHPS virgins went through a ritual where they all lined up to crawl across the floor while the cast paddled them as they went by. It was hilarious.

Then the movie started. The audience had their props ready. There was rice to throw during the wedding scene, newspapers and squirt guns for the rain scene, and unbuttered toast to throw during the dinner toast. I don't want to give it all away, but those were my favorite audience props.

The audience was a wildly mixed group, many were in Rocky Horror costumes while others were the leftovers from the lingerie contest. I felt somewhat out of place in plain old jeans and a sweater. The cast was great, acting out the scenes in front of the stars on the large screen which was the only thing that made the movie worth watching - that and the audience participation part. It was obvious that many of these people had done this before. They knew the script so well they had all the queues down for adding their own lines to the movie.

This was the craziest, most well trained audience I had ever seen. It felt like everyone in the theater was part of the same team, like they rehearsed together before the movie. This is one movie you should never rent, this is the only way to see it. At least it's the only way you will ever be able to see it all the way through.