Do the time warp again with UMass at the 31st Rocky Horror show

Hot patootie — bless their souls — 20 Cent Fiction really loves that Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Returning for its 31st year, the theater company, one of two at UMass Dartmouth, has revamped the set and re-energized for yet another run, which will start this Halloween on Thursday, Oct. 31.

The annual show is performed as a traditional “shadowcast” show, meaning the actors perform on stage while the movie plays on a projector behind them. Actors lip sync to the performance, while also interacting with moving set-pieces on stage. 

The cast also stages callouts from the audience throughout the film. “Transylvanians,” extra cast members in the show, run around the theater and shout crass one-liners at the screen, lampooning the dialogue and plot. The group will also perform a comedy skit prior to the start of the show, with this year’s focused on the growing prevalence of artificial intelligence.

The cult classic movie musical remains somewhat transgressive, featuring scantily clad performers, a self-proclaimed “transvestite” lead character and a campy, flamboyant aesthetic. 

Those elements are part of the show’s draw. 

Junior Courtney Sullivan, who plays “Dr. Frank-N-Furter,” said Rocky Horror was the first movie they’ve seen with positive transgender representation, adding how it created an inclusive space for many.

“I feel like Rocky is a very inclusive show and we extend that to everybody and by the end, we’re all friends,” Sullivan said.

Though it’s a show the theater company does every year, it’s never exactly the same.

Sullivan highlighted how everyone gets to try a new role every year and learn a whole new side of the show’s production.

Having previously held a managing role for the show, they said they’ve been able to develop a greater understanding, which has translated into their performance.

Junior Brian Galindo, who plays “Lips” and is one of the Transylvanians, said coming from production, he never realized how much movement was in the show.

He said, “Oh my gosh, I’m running out of energy every single time we run it.” However, he added it is still fun.

Sullivan said, “I’m worn out by the end, too. I don’t like to go low energy.”

They said one challenge for Dr. Frank-N-Furter's role is that in the movie, cuts will make movements quick and unexpected, with the character seemingly transporting across the screen: “I have to sprint really fast in heels across a large stage from time to time.”

On the stage crew side of the production, Junior Lane Tingey, stage manager, and sophomore Grizzy Mendez, assistant stage manager, highlighted their “big project,” which has been updating various set pieces and props for the show.

From making the crank spin to ensuring Rocky’s tank is structurally sound, the stage crew worked to vamp up the set pieces that have been passed down for years — and guarantee safety from any formerly lingering “stabby screws.”

“There’s a lot of things that just haven’t quite been working and it needed some love,” said Tingey.

Most notably for the two was the elevator, which has been a headache for the cast and crew for years. And after fighting with it for three weeks straight, the elevator that once never opened, now has a new track and door attachment system. Additionally, the audience is able to finally see the actors while inside of it.

Tingey and Mendez said their favorite part of the show is the energy of the whole cast and crew, who are not afraid to be weird and have put a lot of work into their respective roles.

Sophomore Jay Winsch and Kodi Lee, who is a freshman at Bristol Community College, said they found the right balance for them while co-directing the play this year.

Both directing Rocky for the first time, Lee said it was “a lot of fun.”

And Winsch added, “Also a lot of stress, but that comes with directing.” They said directing was different than they expected, being more involved with the actors and lighting of the show rather than the stage management.

The best part for Winsch so far has been seeing all the scenes come together on stage: “That was insane with all the actors, with the sets, with the light. It was so cool.”

Lee focused a lot on the lighting design of the show, which most notably includes the new addition of a CYC, which is a white curtain that hangs behind the movie screen. Light fixtures behind the curtain then give Lee the ability to change the color displayed.

“It added a whole other element,” they said. “Tech also got a bunch of new lights in so I’ve been playing around with those.”

The two highlighted the work of their stage managers, actors and also their “amazing” 20 Cent Fiction executive board.

Lee said the cast is “so much fun, especially when they were on stage, they really showed how much time and effort they've put into this. If last night was a show, I wouldn’t have been mad.”

See “Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the UMass Dartmouth Auditorium, located at 385 Old Westport Road, Thursday, Oct. 31, Friday, Nov. 1 and Saturday, Nov.2, shows start at 7 p.m., with a special showing on Saturday at 11:59 p.m. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $7 for staff and alumni and $5 for students. Costumes are encouraged.