Culture
Behind the fishnets: Lost Flamingo Theatre Company’s ‘Rocky Horror’ production returns
By: Hannah Jamieson
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) – Leather, latex, and a castle belonging to a mad scientist and his hypersexual creations — what more could one want for Halloween?
These are among the many memorable elements of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. This cult classic film famously flopped during its initial theatrical run in 1975 before finding extraordinary success on the midnight movie circuit. After New York City’s Waverly Theater began screening the film at midnight in 1976, audiences quickly developed a tradition of participation that helped transform Rocky Horror into one of the most celebrated midnight movies of all time.
Fans began dressing as their favorite characters, shouting responses to dialogue and eventually forming “shadow casts” — groups of performers who act out the film in front of the screen, recreating scenes with costumes, props and choreography as the movie plays.
Lost Flamingo Theatre Company has carried on this tradition for more than two decades. It will present its 23rd annual shadow-cast production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show through Saturday at The Union (18 W. Union St).
Since auditions and casting began at the start of the school year, the cast and crew have had 18 rehearsals to prepare for the production.
Sydney Loftin, the production’s assistant director and a junior social work major at Ohio University, said casting is especially important for a shadow-cast production, in which performers recreate a film’s action in front of the screen using costumes, props, and choreography.
“[…] there’s such a specific dynamic to each character that’s already written out, set in stone, and I think the casting process really reflects on those characters,” Loftin said.
This marks Loftin’s first year as assistant director following her previous experience as a stage manager. This year also marks the third time senior hearing, speech and language major Anna Martin has directed Rocky Horror.
“There are a lot of boundaries and a lot of situations that I have to adjust for and to communicate with different teams,” Martin said. “That was a huge step that I felt was really, really cool and a great opportunity for me as a student to earn the leadership position and be able to navigate all of those challenges that come into directing.”
While Martin and Loftin have navigated the challenges of directing the production, the cast has worked to bring the chaotic, theatrical world of Rocky Horror to life. Returning performers have reprised their roles alongside newcomers, building a close-knit community despite some initial nerves.
One of those newcomers is junior film major Marty Hoskin, who plays Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s beloved butler, Riff Raff.
Hoskin was inspired to audition after attending one of the Lost Flamingo Theatre Company’s previous Rocky Horror productions
“I hadn’t seen the movie, so my first experience with Rocky was seeing the [LFC] show, and I loved it so much that I watched the movie six times in a month.”
Part of The Rocky Horror Picture Show‘s enduring appeal lies in its messages of sexual freedom and nonconforming identities, as well as its playful, chaotic blend of singing, dancing and theatrical spectacle.
Audience participation remains central to the experience, with fans encouraged to sing along, particularly during “Time Warp,” a favorite number of both Martin and Hoskin.
Reflecting on the number, Martin described the cast’s enthusiasm for sharing its work with audiences.
“[The cast is] bubbling with excitement to share everything they put together…I can’t even explain how excited they [are] to show it off and just really give it all they can. That one is a number that for sure gets everybody excited in the audience at The Union because they’re like, “Oh wait, that’s from Rocky!”
Martin and Loftin also plan to include a special tribute honoring the late Tim Curry, who portrayed Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the original 1975 film.
Beyond the spectacle, Hoskin hopes audiences will connect with the film’s themes of identity, sexuality and self-expression.
“I think it’s something that everyone has to experience so they can put it all into perspective; how the human experience is and how the feelings that some people feel and the sexualities that some people have are not an external thing… I think it’s totally something that comes from within.”
Tickets are $10 for attendees ages 18 to 20 and $8 for those 21 and older. The production runs through Saturday. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early due to anticipated long lines.