The Rocky Horror Show and Asbury Park: Let Your Freak Flags Fly

Call it the quirky, little play that inspired a world-wide cult following.

The Rocky Horror Show began as homage to horror films and science fiction at the Royal Court’s experimental Theatre Upstairs in London back in 1973 with a six-week workshop run.  An immediate success, the show soon moved to the much larger King’s Road Theatre and was named “Best Musical of 1973” by the London Evening Standard’s annual poll of drama critics.  Yet, the play’s early success was nothing compared to the madness that would take place shortly after the film version opened in America on September 26, 1975.

The film’s place in cinematic history was cemented just a few months later on April 1, 1976.  That was the day the film became known as the ultimate midnight movie when it began its run at the Waverly Theatre in New York City.  Soon theaters around the country began showing The Rocky Horror Picture Show at midnight and within three years the film was playing on hundreds of screens including over 20 in the New York City region alone.  As the midnight showings spread, a strange phenomenon began taking place.  It started when people began shouting out phrases to the characters on the screen, then people came to the theaters dressed up in costume; eventually, audience members began bringing props and throwing items like rice and toilet paper during specific parts of the film.  It was clear the evolution was now complete — Rocky Horror had successfully shattered the fourth wall and invited everyone into its own world!   The midnight showings continue to run while touring companies have brought the stage version of Rocky Horror to every corner of the globe.   In fact, a special version is coming to New Jersey this week just in time for Halloween.

The CV 5: Surflight Factoids.

Musicals and Ice Cream: The Best Pairing Since PB and Chocolate.

1. Actor/comedian Ray Romano is a member of the theater’s advisory board and visits the Show Place ice cream parlor every summer with his family.
2. With sharp attention to detail that rivals the historic accuracy of Mad Men, Show Place stays true to its 1950s aura by only offering flavors and toppings specific of the period (ie. no cookies and cream).
3. Local LBI artists provide the artwork displayed in the lobby.
4. There can be as much as a two-hour wait to get a seat at the Show Place, so arrive early!
5. Come see talent before they get to Broadway–The Addams Family’s Kevin Chamberlin started at the Surflight, and current members of the 2010 season are auditioning for roles throughout New York.

Posted by Jesse North, JerseyArts.com’s Theater Blogger.

Surflight Theatre: Sand, Surf, and Songs.

Tucked away on a cozy street in Beach Haven on the family beach getaway that is Long Beach Island, the Surflight Theatre churns out productions like ice cream sundaes in July. They do that too, in fact, as the 60-year-old theater has an adjoining 1950s-style ice cream parlor that doubles as a singing-waiters performance space. Producing musicals throughout the warm months in summer-stock format that run for two weeks then give way to another production, the theater runs straight plays in the fall and an always sold-out Christmas spectacular in December. Committed to family entertainment, the Surflight also produces children’s theater on site, as well as a traveling troupe. Take a tour through this cherished-by-vacationers theater, which has grown quite a bit since originally being housed in what is now its scenery shop.

Posted by Jesse North, JerseyArts.com’s Theater Blogger.