'Rocky Horror' show carries on Halloween tradition at Purdue
>>Print ViewPublication Date: 10/26/2006
Adam Leonberger | Exponent Photographer
Cast members of the Rocky Horror Picture Show pose during a song as part of rehearsal.
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Men in fishnets, corsets and wedding dresses. No, this is not the drag show revisited, it is the "Rocky Horror Picture Show," taking place on Saturday at Purdue.
"Rocky Horror" has been around since the 1970s. Since its debut, it has become a cult classic and attracted a large number of followers. The show, which is almost always performed at midnight, brings risque clothing and antics with a Halloween feel.
The story is about a couple who gets lost while driving and stumbles upon the castle of a transvestite who is holding the annual convention of visitors from the planet Transsexual. Chaos ensues, and among the dancing and singing, the story unfolds. For the virgins, or people who have never experienced the show, it is very audience-oriented. People show up in costumes related to the show and actively participate in the dances and songs.
The audience has also been known to add lines in between those of the actors. Many of those made-up lines are known by all of the followers. The students involved are active followers of the show.
The "Rocky Horror Picture Show" has been taking place at Purdue since 2000. The director of the show this year, Natalie Abell, a Purdue alumna, has been participating in the show since it started. She believes this show has the following it does because it shakes up the norm.
"It allows people to do things outside of the ordinary that are not normally accepted by others," she said.
Abell said that what makes the show most interesting are the "virgins" that attend because "they are surprised at what they find at the show."
The show includes students in all different areas of study. Jasmine Norris, a junior in the College of Liberal Arts, plays Janet, the lead female character. She said that the show is very exciting and she has many favorite parts. "My favorite part is the Time Warp, but there is also a lot of partial nudity in the film which adds a little more excitement."
Anyone interested in seeing the show is encouraged to show up early to the Purdue Memorial Union South Ballroom. Tickets go on sale at 9:30 p.m. and are $5 with a student I.D. and $8 for the general public. Doors open at 10 p.m., the costume contest starts at 10:30 p.m. and the show starts at midnight. For those who come, be ready to actively participate in the mayhem that is the Rocky Horror Picture Show.