Curry played the mad scientist Frank-N-Furter in the raunchy 1975 musical comedy, which continues to have a massive following worldwide that’s kept the film alive for over half a century.
Film screenings and stage productions of "Rocky Horror" will be shown in theatres across Arizona in the coming weeks.
Typical movie screenings include a live shadow cast lip-synching and performing along with the film. Audience members sing and dance along and yell callback lines.
A stage production of the show originally came out in 1973 and is also still performed.
The Majestic Theatre in Tempe has a sold-out screening of "Rocky Horror" on Sunday. But there are still tickets available for its next showing in September.
The Loft in Tucson is also playing the film next month — and the third Saturday of every month.
ASU Gammage in Tempe and the Orpheum Theater in Flagstaff have screenings in October.
The Gammage show also advertises a meet and greet with two actors from the original film: Barry Bostwick and Patricia Quinn, who played “Brad” and “Magenta,” respectively.
A number of stage play productions of "Rocky Horror" are also planned for October, including the Historic Yuma Theater and the Marroney Theatre at University of Arizona.
The AZ D.R.A.G. Theatre Troupe is performing a "Rocky Horror" drag show on Nov. 14 at Kobalt Bar in Phoenix. Drag performer Trey DeGroot said it will be a “tribute style concert drag show” with a combination of shadow cast elements and audience participation.
“Tim Curry has made an impact on queer culture and community that can never be understated,” DeGroot said in a text. “‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ has been a long standing tradition of bringing people together, and now more than ever it is important to cultivate and nurture our queer community safe spaces.”
Kathy Smith is the cast leader of Heavy Petting — the shadow cast that performs at the Loft in Tucson. She said she first saw the show when she snuck out of the house at 17, and she signed up to join the cast the next month — as soon as she turned 18.
“The movie itself came out at a time when gender bending, when outcasts were not accepted, was not something that people could feel safe doing, and what Tim [Curry] did with this movie is he created that,” Smith said.
She said it’s not surprising to her in the least that the show has lasted so long, and predicts it will continue long after her lifetime.
“He opened up the door and let all of us weirdos, freaks and ridiculous humans come through and be ourselves unequivocally,” Smith said. “And that’s continued to be what the 'Rocky' community has stood for, is community and having a space place to be yourself.”
Smith said she’s played every role in the show, but Frank-N-Furter is her favorite.
“I think coming from a more strict background and childhood, the ability to wear what I want, to say what I want, to think what I want was freeing,” she said. “It was a chance to develop what I wanted to be as an individual without any judgement that absolutely is what drew me.”
All versions of the show contain mature content.
See 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' around Arizona
Sept. 19, The Loft Cinema in Tucson. Movie/shadow cast version. Tickets:
https://loftcinema.org/film/the-rocky-horror-picture-show/
Sept. 26, Majestic Tempe 7 in Tempe. Movie/shadow cast version. Tickets: https://www.majesticphx.com/movie/MajesticTempe7/THE-ROCKY-HORROR-PICTURE-SHOW
Oct. 9, ASU Gammage, Tempe. Movie/shadow cast version. Tickets: https://www.asugammage.com/ROCKY
Oct. 11-25, Marroney Theatre in Tucson. Rock musical version. Tickets: https://theatre.arizona.edu/show/the-rocky-horror-show/
Oct. 17, Majestic Tempe 7 in Tempe. Movie/shadow cast version. Tickets: https://www.majesticphx.com/movie/MajesticTempe7/THE-ROCKY-HORROR-PICTURE-SHOW
Oct. 23-24, Historic Yuma Theatre in Yuma. Rock musical version. Tickets:
https://www.yumaaz.gov/government/parks-recreation/park-recreation-locations/yuma-art-center-historic-yuma-theatre/rocky-horror-picture-show
Oct. 24, Orpheum Theater in Flagstaff. Movie/shadow cast version. Tickets: orpheumflagstaff.com
Nov. 14, Kobalt Bar in Phoenix, Drag show event. Tickets: https://www.instagram.com/p/Dcje5csHZR-/?img_index=1
-
Matt Scott is the founder of Rasputin’s Marionettes, and he’s been a puppeteer for most of his life. -
Lani Cupchoy wears many hats. She’s a public historian, an artist and a filmmaker as well as an assistant professor at Cal State University in Los Angeles. -
James Beard award recipient Christopher Gross and "Queen of Southwest cuisine" Barbara Fenzl knew Child well. They shared their favorite memories of the late chef while touring an exhibit dedicated to her life and legacy. -
A conversation with the owner of the Rhythm Room, Bob Corritore, as he prepares to close its doors after 35 years this spring. -
Water is a precious commodity in the desert — and especially so for Gary Paul Nabhan.
