A shadow cast troupe from the company Bit of Mustard performed “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the Art Theatre of Long Beach on Saturday, March 28, drawing a crowd that ranged from longtime fans to community-labelled “virgins” experiencing the cult classic for the first time.
The movie “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” has a long history in the queer community as well as with shadow casting, where actors perform the scenes from a movie that is projected behind them, with the first shadow cast performance of the show staged in LA in 1977.
A performer named Doll, who plays Frank-N-Furter, stands in front of their film counterpart during the shadow cast play of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the Art Theatre of Long Beach on Saturday, March 28. (Juan Rosales)
The performance at the Art Theatre of Long Beach carried on this tradition of providing an accepting space for queer people as well as the larger Long Beach community.
“It’s definitely mostly for the queer community, we have people who aren’t queer come and they love the show too,” said Doll, a stage name used by the performer of Frank-N-Furter.
The show had people in attendance who came specifically for the show and others who walked by and just found something interesting was happening.
The varied crowd was made up of people from all walks of life and ages, from college students to seniors with some wearing costumes, such as they dressed up like the characters from the show or even one audience member was in a full clown outfit.
Such a diverse crowd expands the reach of what Rocky Horror shows set out to be: a safe space for anyone in need.
Additionally, the theater and performances like this one allow for a third space for queer people that isn’t centered around drinking, as a performer in the production brought to attention.
A performer named Random, who plays Rocky, stands in front of their film counterpart during the shadow cast play of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the Art Theatre of Long Beach on Saturday, March 28. (Juan Rosales)
“There’s been sort of a longing for a gay third space that doesn’t involve drinking… I think this is really nice that people can come here completely sober and enjoy,” said Xio Lace, the narrator and an LBCC student.
Removing barriers for participation, like the absence of alcohol, allowed for a silly and fun atmosphere that didn’t get rambunctious or out of control.
Beyond the performance itself, the event offered a chance for strangers to bond over shouting callbacks, using props and shared laughter.
“I think all of Long Beach is in love with us, or maybe not in love with us but in love with the concept of going out and making a fool of yourself on a Saturday night,” said Dom Maddan, the performer of Eddie and an LBCC student.
For Bit of Mustard and the local community at the theater, the goal seems to be not just putting on a good show but also giving people a reason to show up.
Dom Maddan, who plays Eddie, dances with Dara, who plays Columbia, during the song “Hot Patootie, Bless My Soul,” in the shadow cast play of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the Art Theatre of Long Beach on Saturday, March 28. (Juan Rosales)
The next shadow cast show of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the Art Theatre of Long Beach is on April 18 at 11:45 p.m. The show is rated 18+, meaning that people are subject to having their ID checked and minors need to be accompanied by an adult.
Tickets and their prices are available at this link.
The show is performed year-round, and usually is on every last Saturday of each month at the same 11:45 p.m. time. Further dates are to be announced.
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