You don't have to be strange to watch The Rocky Horror Picture Show, but it helps.
That's what it basically says in a personal note I received from legendary star Tim Curry (it was his first movie). Granted, my note was addressed to "Dear Press Member," but I like to think Curry had me in mind.
"I personally would like to invite you to join us like-minded group of weirdos as we do the Time Warp again with the re-imagining of the iconic phenomenon that I originally starred in more than 40 years ago," Curry writes. "It's an experience you won't want to miss, and for you 'virgins' out there, this is your chance to see why this cult classic is one of the most popular films of all time and still plays in movie theaters around the world."
Fox rolls out The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again at 7 p.m. Thursday with the 70-year-old Curry starring as the criminologist narrator.
For the record, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a 1975 musical comedy horror film based on the 1973 musical stage production The Rocky Horror Show.
In addition to Curry, the film starred a young Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick as Janet Weiss and Brad Majors, a straight-laced engaged couple whose car breaks down on a dark and stormy night near a dark and spooky castle.
Curry plays the hedonistic mad scientist and alien transvestite Dr. Frank N. Furter, who is seeking to create the perfect man to serve as his sexual plaything.
And there's a whole gaggle of folks in the castle wearing elaborate costumes. Brad and Janet have stumbled into Frank's annual Transylvanian science convention where he plans to unveil his latest creation, Rocky Horror.
There ensues seduction and androgyny and singing and murder and, well, just a lot of weird stuff. It's also a lot of fun.
As with many eventual cult successes, the film was slammed by critics upon its release, but that didn't stop hip and cool audiences from finding it. Soon they were singing along, dressing as the characters, yelling dialogue back at the screen and throwing things at certain key moments. Rocky Horror quickly turned into a midnight movie audience participation event.
The new production stays close to the original and features Nickelodeon star (she's all grown up) Victoria Justice (Victorious) as Janet, and Ryan McCartan (Liv & Maddie) as Brad. As in the original, Brad and Janet spend a lot of time running around in their underwear.
Laverne Cox plays Frank-N-Furter. Viewers will know Cox from her role as Sophia Burset on the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black. Cox is the first openly transgender person to be nominated for an acting Emmy.
Portraying the muscle-bound Rocky is actor/singer Staz Nair (the Dothraki warrior Qhono in Game of Thrones).
American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert is the tattooed Eddie; Reeve Carney (Penny Dreadful) plays Riff Raff; Masters of Sex star and Tony Award winner Annaleigh Ashford (You Can't Take It With You) is Columbia; Christina Milian (Grandfathered) is Magenta; and Tony winner Ben Vereen (Pippin) plays Dr. Everett Scott.
Bentonville-raised Ivy Levan (Drop Dead Gorgeous) gets nice exposure playing the Usherette. She opens the show by singing the opening credits.
And for those who are inspired to go all out, here are the cues as to when to participate and what you'll need.
• Confetti: As newlyweds Ralph and Betty exit the church, you should throw confetti.
• Newspapers: When Brad and Janet are caught in the storm, cover your head with a newspaper (this one will do nicely).
• Water pistols: Squirt these to simulate the rainstorm.
• Cellphones: When Brad and Janet sing the line "There's a Light," turn on your cellphone instead of using a lighter or flashlight.
• Rubber gloves: During the creation speech, Frank snaps her gloves three times. Do so along with her.
• Noisemakers: At the end of the creation speech, the Transylvanians blow noisemakers. Kindly join in.
• Popcorn: As Rocky and Frank head toward the bedroom, toss popcorn along with the cast.
• Toilet paper: When Dr. Scott enters the lab, Brad cries out "Great Scott!" At this point, you should hurl rolls of toilet paper into the air (preferably Scott).
• Party hat: When Frank puts on a party hat at the dinner table, you should do the same.
• Cards: During the song "I'm Going Home," Frank sings "Cards for sorrow, cards for pain." At this point you should shower the room with playing cards.
Admonition: Do not throw hot dogs and prunes as audiences sometimes do. It's messy and attracts vermin.
Style on 10/16/2016