VIRGIN - In the common world, this usually refers to a person who has not engaged in sexual relations. In the ROCKY HORROR world, this word refers to the many unfortunate people who have never experienced THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (RHS) in a theater with an audience and a live cast. Seeing it on home video (Blu-ray, DVD, VHS, Netflix Instant, etc.) on TV or even in a movie theater doesn't count! You truly want to experience it live!!!!
If you've already seen the movie by itself on TV or home video and wondered what all the fuss was about, read on. If you haven't seen the movie on TV or home video - GREAT! The more surprised you are on your first time, the more fun it is.
You came to this page because you are hopefully going to consider attending a showing of Rocky Horror at MYSTERIUM THEATER (playing Sept 27- Nov 2--check the dates and times below!).
Rocky Horror is the first and only true audience partici-(SAY IT!)-pation movie and play. People yell back lines at the actors during the extended pauses between dialogue, dress up in costume and (in the movie theater, act out the film, and use props various times during the show. The audience participation phenomenon was observed as early as the film's first run in 1975 (when it bombed during limited engagements in 7 of 8 cities), and was later re-released as a midnight movie where the audience participation really began to flourish. And by the way, for the "gore sensitive", Rocky Horror is NOT a horror film. It is a rock-musical send-up of old science-fiction and horror films.
Enough history! You are interested in going, so here's what you really need to know.
First, the only thing you really need to bring your first time out in order to have fun is a sense of humor, and money for admission (and food at the nearest 24-hour diner afterwards.) Of course, being surrounded by 10-15 of your friends is also a good thing. (AND MYSTERIUM offers a group rate!!!) You should dress in whatever makes YOU feel comfortable, but also does not violate any local standards (this usually means nudity is out.) Speaking of violating laws and norms of society, it is usually best to go to RHS sober the first time. Not only will you be more in-tune to pick up all the clever things going on around you, besides, Mysterium Theater will not admit those people who look drunk - what theater manager wants to clean up after a drunk.
But hey, what about the props and audience participation lines and dressing up in costume? Well, no one expects you to know much of anything your first time out. While audience participation is mandatory to keep the show alive, it is not mandatory that everyone participate, every time. Virgins are not expected to know a damn thing (just like in sex.) Mysterium does do a mini Rocky 101 course at the beginning of each performance to help you out. Mysterium Theater does sell goodie bags with all the approved items for just $5. Imagine that, just $5.!!!!!! You may not bring any non-approved items into the theater---we do not want rats from the toast or rice but we have fun alternatives so buy a bag--really, it is much more fun that way!!!! Mysterium Theater also has a nightly Costume Contest with Prizes so Dress Up and enjoy the party!!!!
An important note here: AP is NOT fixed from theater to theater and night to night. If you feel an new line coming on, YELL IT! A big part of keeping the show fresh is creating new lines with topical humor.
Hmmmm... sounds interesting. I am not going to be targeted for some humiliation because I am a virgin, right? Maybe. Usually, Mysterium Does have a tiny little ritual to "break you in" --Don't be scared- it is fun! Since at any one time, an audience can consist of 25%-50% virgins, it is not likely that you will be chosen for this harmless ritual (well, usually harmless!) If it looks like you are about to be picked, the best thing to do is point to a friend of the same sex and mouth to whoever (whomever?) is looking at you that he or she is a "virgin" (the soon to be ex-friend that you are pointing at.) Once you have completed an entire showing of Rocky in a theater, they can not ask you to participate in this ritual... you only have to worry about this once. (And once you see it, sometimes you actually WISH you were picked!)
Now get off your butt, check the show times and call the box office for your tickets to the Rocky Horror Show (and don't rent the damn thing again until you do see it at Mysterium Theater.) REMEMBER: Rocky Horror is like sex, you can only have one first time so make the most of it.
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