In celebration of its 50th anniversary, an audience interactive showing of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (1975) with a live shadow cast took place at Governors State University on Saturday, Oct. 25, complete with prop bags, audience participation, and costume contests.

Among the audience, guests showed up in costumes that were related to the central theme and characters in the movie. A classic among many, those who haven’t been to a live show were given the option of having a “V” for “virgin” written on their face or hand and the choice to participate in the “Time Warp” dance competition. Colorful makeup, extravagance, aliens, and character cosplay presented themselves on stage for a pre-showing costume and dance contest. With four prizes available, the audience cheered and chose who was their winner.

Tickets were $20, and prop bags containing toilet paper, newspapers, glow sticks, and other audience interactive items were sold at the door for $10 a bag.

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is a musical that combines science fiction and horror with fashion, gender expression, and music. The classic begins with a young married couple whose car breaks down in the rain. They spot a mansion nearby and make their way over to ask if they could borrow a phone. Here, they are introduced to the eccentric cast of characters that live in the mansion, including Dr. Frank N Furter, a scientist.

The audience was given a digital playbill that included lines for the audience to yell out in coordination with the showing of the movie, and guidelines on when to use their props. Newspapers were held over heads as audience members sprayed the air with water to simulate rain, pink rubber gloves snapped along with Dr. Frank N Furter before the reveal of his experiment, and party hats were fastened on to match characters in a birthday dinner scene. The live shadow cast engaged the audience as they ran up and down the theater playing their roles.  Live set changes with a blend of lighting, props, implied acting, and audience interaction made the movie come alive.

Speaking about the significance of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” an audience member said, “The sexual expression of it was transformative for the community, to be able to express yourself without being judged.”