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The following are some of the most common questions asked about ROCKY HORROR in general, tailored to our local Arizona scene, and a few specific questions about ROCKY in Arizona. For more complete answers, check out the OFFICIAL ROCKY HORROR FAQ If what you want to know is not here, or you want to submit a question, please email azrocky@gmail.com
QUESTIONS FROM THE NEWBIES
WHAT IS THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW?
WHAT IS AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION? I'm glad you asked! "Audience Participation" means that YOU, the AUDIENCE, are part of the show! At various points throughout the film, you can dance (the Time Warp!); sing (whenever there's a song), shout things at the actors on screen (because the dialogue is so bad that seems like 90 minutes of setups, with the punch lines supplied by the audience), and throw "props" that are relevant to what's on screen ("toast" when Frank-N-Furter says "A Toast", for example.)
WHY SHOULD I GO? IT SOUNDS WEIRD! "Weird" is a relative term; but above all, the reason you should come is that it's FUN--and unlike ANYTHING you have ever experienced! Keep an open mind and you will have the time of your life--and you might even make some new friends!
IF I GO, WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT? Expect to see the movie up on the big screen, accompanied by live stage performers dressed up like the characters in the movie and acting the movie out in front of you; and lots of audience interaction. And before the movie, we have open dancing while the audience enters, followed by a "pre-show" where we go over the "Rules" and then of course, we sacrifice the VIRGINS!
HOLD ON! WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY "VIRGINS"??? It's not what you think! For us, anyone who hasn't seen ROCKY in a movie theatre with a live cast is a "ROCKY VIRGIN"...that's all we mean, honest! (Please note that watching it on TV or any home video format does not count!)
WHO GOES TO THIS THING? THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW is more than a movie or show; it is a community and a family made up of anyone and everyone who wants to come and be a part of it. EVERYONE IS WELCOME!!!! Freaks, geeks, Goths, Punks, Vampires, Emo kids, ghouls, rivetheads, candy kids/ravers, sk8rs, mods, rude boys, riot girls, hippies, drama students, virgins, veterans, Juggaloes, Juggalettes, Maggots, hXe, sXe, lovers, heroes, rebels, loners, misfits, outcasts, slackers, dreamers, bohemians, artists, poets, rockers, metal heads, gypsies, honored chaperones, dateless nothings, persons of all genders, lifestyles, races, beliefs and backgrounds, and EVERYONE ELSE is welcome-just respect the right of everyone else to be as weird as you are! so long as you behave yourself, everyone is welcome! Come one, come all, COME AS YOU ARE. And if you consider yourself "normal" (preppie/jock/whatever), then we ESPECIALLY want you to come--come see what you're missing! In Phoenix (well, Chandler) and Tucson, it plays EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT. Find our schedule of upcoming shows HERE.
WHERE DOES IT HAPPEN? In the Phoenix area, the only location showing ROCKY HORROR is the Chandler Cinemas. In Tucson, it plays at the Loft Cinema.
WHEN SHOULD I GET THERE? Please do not arrive earlier than 10pm for the Chandler show; but please try to arrive no later than 10:30pm to ensure parking and seating--especially on big nights, the theatre can fill up quickly!
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO GET IN? $6 admission, per person, per show (cost may vary in other cities or for "event" shows). Cash only. Trust me, you get a LOT of entertainment for that six bucks, it's a bargain at TWICE the price!
CAN I BUY TICKETS IN ADVANCE? Not yet, but we are working on it! While ROCKY HORROR is extremely tame by today's standards (most teenagers are regularly exposed to much worse on cable TV and the internet), and its R-Rating given in 1975 is now sadly out of date and SHOULD be changed to PG-13, the show nonetheless deals with mature subject matter in an Immature way. (Read our DISCLAIMER) Therefore, in the name of LEGALLY COVERING OUR ASSES: Please have ID ready to purchase tickets; persons under 17 are welcome to attend with a parent or adult guardian.
Whatever you like--within legal limits! Lingerie, Fetish Gear, Goth/Punk styles, whatever fits you! Dress up, dress down, dress casual or dress to the hilt in your wildest, sexiest gear—as long as it won’t get you (or us!) arrested--no nudity and no naughty pink bits can EVER be visible, period. We love you, but we won’t go to jail for you! Persons under 18 are ALWAYS asked to err on the side of caution in their dress. ALL attendees wearing even slightly "revealing" clothing are asked to bring something to cover up with. If any audience member's dress is "over the line", and they have nothing to cover up with, they will be asked to leave. ROCKY HORROR COSTUMES ARE ENCOURAGED AND WELCOME! (We might even ask you to join cast!) Otherwise...Come in costume, come in drag, COME AS YOU ARE! Rice, toast, newspaper, toilet paper, playing cards, party hats, noisemakers, whistles, bells, sunglasses, flashlights, glow sticks, keys, rubber gloves, and any other dry, non-fire-or-water-dispensing hand props (we sell prop bags with many of these items at the show). All props are to be thrown UP AND BACK. YOU MAY NOT BRING, THROW OR USE confetti, open flames, prunes, hot dogs, mustard. ABOVE ALL....DO NOT BRING DRAMA--LEAVE IT AT THE DOOR!
HOW DO I JOIN THE CAST? It depends on whether and when we need help at any given moment. We are usually keeping an eye out for volunteers and for talented people, though when the cast is full we can't necessarily promise when or how much someone will be able to participate in cast (though there can always be exceptions!). For more information on joining cast, click HERE. QUESTIONS FROM THE VETERANS
WHY DID ROCKY HORROR TAKE SO LONG TO FIND A HOME AGAIN IN THE VALLEY? Simple economics. ROCKY HORROR usually does VERY well in the Valley....but the local cinema market is dominated by giant corporate chains, and ROCKY and corporate chains seldom mix well. Here, as most other places that still show ROCKY, it takes a smaller company, or an independently owned theatre, that is willing to take a chance on something offbeat in order to give it a chance.
DIDN'T ROCKY PLAY AT THE CHANDLER CINEMA CAFE BEFORE? Yes--not once but TWICE! The first time, under Grand Cinemas, there were about 30 performances of ROCKY at this theatre between November 2003 and February 2005, all on Friday nights. Average audience attendance was about 100, though Halloween 2004 sold out with about 300 people. Then in September-October 2006 COME AS YOU ARE gave 8 shows to nearly 1500 people and announced a separation from the theatre after Halloween, due to the questionable business practices of its then-manager, who was fired by the landlord some weeks later. The landlord promptly invited Grand Cinemas to return, and ROCKY came right back with them!
HOW BIG IS THE THEATRE? Originally it held 408 seats; however, renovations and remodelings have cut that down to about 340. We consider anything in the vicinity of 275-300 to be a "sold out" show.
WHY IS THERE A "NEW" CAST? Once it was clear ROCKY was getting another home, there was a choice between going back to what had been known and established, or starting something fresh and new and giving it a chance to grow and develop its own identity--in essence, "rebooting" the Phoenix-area ROCKY scene. We very consciously made the latter choice. However, we're hardly inexperienced--the cast that has come together includes veterans from every single cast and theatre in ROCKY's 30+ year history in the Valley, including Spectrum, Tempe Cinemas, the Valley Art, MetroCentre, Westridge, Paradise Valley Mall, University, Camelview, Christown, and the Sombrero.
WHY IS THE CAST CALLED "COME AS YOU ARE"? 1. It's a cool name and yes, it does have a bit of a double meaning...*evil grin* 2. It's easy to say and remember. 3. It expresses our philosophy that ROCKY HORROR should be an open and welcoming environment for EVERYONE! 4. There's a really cool Nirvana song by the same name.
WHAT IS YOUR SCHEDULE GOING TO BE? See above!
HOW CAN I CONTACT THE CAST? Check out our CONTACT page.
DO YOU WELCOME ROCKY VETERANS/MEMBERS OF OTHER CASTS AT YOUR SHOW? ABSOLUTELY--**ESPECIALLY** from past Arizona theatres, and our sisters in other cities/states! All ROCKY cast veterans are absolutely welcome and encouraged to attend our show (and to contribute to our HISTORY project). And as for members of other casts, as long as everyone is well-behaved and respectful (for ROCKY, that is!) they are absolutely welcome at our show--please let us know you're there!
IS ROCKY LIKE IT USED TO BE? I LOVED THE SHOW WHEN IT WAS AT (INSERT THEATRE NAME HERE). IS IT AS GOOD AS THEN? If there's one thing about ROCKY that never changes, it's...CHANGE. NO two ROCKY shows are the same, theatre to theatre, city to city, year to year, decade to decade. For most people, their FIRST ROCKY is their BEST ROCKY, period. Never mind if it was in a dinky little shopping mall theatre with sheets & flashlights; or a full-on production extravaganza--it's pointless to compare shows! Don't trash your beloved memories of your favorite ROCKY, but try to enjoy each show, cast and theatre for what it IS, not for what it ISN'T (though of course, every show can always be improved, and we are always open to suggestions!) MORE QUESTIONS COMING SOON!
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