‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ 50th anniversary screening held at Art Theatre of Long Beach

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story had actor Treva Flores’ name written as Tre Va, and Jay’s stage name was incorrectly written as Random Chance instead of just Random.

“Life changing,” “gay Frankenstein,” “punk vaudeville” and “sensory overload.”  These were just some of the phrases used to describe “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”, which was performed at the Art Theatre of Long Beach on Sept. 26 to celebrate the film’s 50th anniversary. 

“It’s an impossible thing to explain to people. It is the only thing like it, and it’s crazy that it’s been going on for 50 years now,” said Indiana Jones, who played Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s creation Rocky for the night’s performance. 

After stepping out of the century-old theatre at the end of the night, it was clear that people don’t just come to watch “Rocky,” they come to experience it. 

“It’s religion for people with religious trauma,” said Fidelle Martinez, a Long Beach City College student and spotlight tech for the show. “I get to come in my slut-day best, and I get to come to the chapel and yell at a screen once a month.” 

The audience participation is the heart of the performance, even before the film starts. 

The performance begins with the entire crowd standing up and pledging their allegiance to “Rocky”. 

Those who have not seen the film before are then invited on stage, where they perform simulated sexual acts to have their “Rocky virginity” taken. 

^{Willow Mercury, the host of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” looks over the “virgins” to choose who gets a chance to win a small role in the beginning of the show. Virgins in the culture of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” movie are people who have not seen the film before. (Jacyn King)}

“Honestly, we get a lot of virgins. That’s a trend right now,” said cast representative Treva Flores, who played Dr. Frank-N-Furter. 

Once the movie starts playing, the live cast comes on stage and acts out exactly what the audience sees on the big screen. 

^{Actors Treva Flores, left, and Tim Curry look out into the crowd during a scene in a live recreation of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” The film was shown on screen while a cast acted out the movie for the 50th anniversary of the movie. (Jacyn King)}

At some points during the performance, the cast takes the show off the stage and into the theatre aisles, fully immersing the audience in the world of “Rocky Horror”. 

The standout performances of the evening were Va’s flamboyant and sassy Dr. Frank-N-Furter and the quirky, comical portrayal of Janet Weiss, played by Random, whose real name is Jay. 

^{Portraying Dr. Frank-N-Furter, actor Treva Flores poses in front of their on screen likeness during a live recreation of the movie “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” (Jacyn King)}

^{Actor Random plays Janet Weiss and makes her way to Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s castle in a live recreation of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” (Jacyn King)}

^{Random, left, as the character Janet Weiss checks her bag while legs act as windshield wipers as Amara Etcetera, right, acts as Brad Majors and pretends to drive on stage during “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” (Jacyn King)}

“This is my fourth time playing Janet. I’ve played every character and she is my favorite. I love the overacting and the ditsy aspect of the role, like sliding around on stage in your stockings,” Random said. 

^{Amara Etcetera, middle, and Random, right, act as the characters Brad Majors and Janet Weiss who are shocked after the introduction of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a self-described “sweet transvestite from Transsexual, Transylvania” during “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” (Jacyn King)}

Although the shadow cast delivered an amazing performance, the crowd truly makes the show an unforgettable experience. 

Some audience members bought specially made kits at the theatre, containing props to mimic what the characters do on screen.

Examples include holding newspapers over their heads when Janet arrives at Frank-N-Furter’s castle, or putting on party hats during the dinner scene. 

The audience also upheld the decades-long tradition of yelling out jokes during the screening, which were at times so loud you could not hear the movie. 

“It’s a living piece of art. It’s been passed down since the f——— 70’s. New jokes get added in, old ones get forgotten, and it all comes together,” Martinez said. 

Overall, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is a wildly entertaining experience, creating a fun atmosphere and a welcoming environment for new and die-hard fans alike. 

“This is for weirdos, for people who are queer, for people who love sci-fi. It’s a party every time,” Flores said. 

The shows are put on at the end of every month by local production company Bit of Mustard. 

Their next performances of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” will take place at the Art Theatre of Long Beach on Oct. 24 and Oct. 25 at 11:45 p.m. 

Tickets can be bought at arttheatrelongbeach.org, under the tickets section.