Cult film experience features audience participation
The Rocky Horror Picture Show, a 1975 musical comedy horror film, is a cult film experience for which fans dress up and the audience throws rolls of toilet paper, toast, rice and cards. Meanwhile, a shadow cast reenacts the film in front of the screen.
Sweet Translucent Dreams (http://www. stdrhps.net/), a Rocky Horror shadow cast cofounded by Kyle and Melissa DeFina, performed during the recent film showing at Santander Performing Arts Center in Reading.
“The movie is stream proof. You need to see it in a theater, you need to throw things, you need to scream and yell, dress up and be part of the longest running cult movie of all time,” said DeFina.
“It’s great fun, it’s awesome to see everybody being themselves and getting a little silly at the same time,” said attendee Greg Dimovitz from Mohrsville.
Cyndi Dimovitz added, “It’s an awesome night out, good time, good reason to get dressed up and have a great time.”
“The crowd and energy was absolutely amazing,” said DeFina. “As performers that kind of energy feeds your performance and you’re able to give back to the audience in amazing ways.”
Julianna Markel and Steven Dow travelled from Smyrna, Delaware.
“It’s amazing, the ambience here was fantastic,” said Dow who dressed as Frank-N-Furter. “It was just so much fun.”
“We love Rocky Horror. My parents have been doing it in South Philly for a long time so it’s kind of passed down the generation of Rocky Horror love,” said Markel.
Interview with the composer
Richard Hartley contributed the music to The Rocky Horror Picture Show. His favorite song from the film was “I’m Going Home.”
Hartley has attended a midnight screening of the film several times, seeing at the first convention in Long Island with members of the cast.
“We were all amazed. I took Susan Sarandon to 14th Street once and she went to the loo just before the floorshow. When she came back, she said people were covering themselves in water ready to perform. I think she found it slightly disturbing.”
What was it like working with actor Barry Bostwick?
Hartley: “Barry was a pro. Having been in musicals he was easy to work with.”
Can you reveal one thing or story about Rocky Horror that to date is not widely known?
Hartley: “Recording Meat Loaf was challenging. His voice was so strong. He broke the diaphragm on a very expensive mike, so we set up a dummy and moved the recording microphone away from him.”
Why is Rocky Horror so enduring?
Hartley: “Wish I knew… the stage show was very original back in 1973, chaotic, sexy, funny, musically naive, and a 50-minute blast, whereas the film is rather slow and some say that’s why the fans decided to fill in the gaps with incredibly witty responses.”
What was the biggest challenge and reward for you as a composer working on the music for Rocky?
Hartley: “The film was in some respects much easier than the show because we had great singers and a fantastic band.”
Rodeo Marie Hanson of Fleetwood is a teen columnist specializing in coverage of entertainment events and celebrity interviews. Follow Rodeo’s Drive-Thru Hollywood News on Facebook at https://www.facebook. com/rdthn/ and on her YouTube Channel Rodeo’s Hollywood Drive-Thru News at https://www. youtube.com/channel/ UC5zPmRRqa9HK_-Z9G9OPGA.