WIU Theatre & Dance - THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW

ABOUT

We’re so excited to present our production of THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, the OG cult-classic rock-n-roll sci-fi musical, at WIU Theatre & Dance October 24 – November 2 in Hainline Theatre.

Tickets are availablehere – TICKETS.

We’re getting questions, so here are answers. If you cannot find the answer you are looking for, please email us at Theatre@wiu.edu

Frequently Asked Questions:

What’s the runtime?

The show is approximately 100 minutes long, including a 15-minute intermission. 

Is there a midnight performance?

No. We’re old. Kidding, not kidding. The truth is we don’t want to kill our performers! We do have a 10:30pm performance on October 26th. And also, we’re old.

Is there an age restriction?

No. We have included that the show is not recommended for folks under 16 years of age. But we do not restrict folks from coming. We hope any potential guest will do research to make the best-informed decision for themselves and anyone they want to bring. If we can help in that, ask about your particular concerns. We can say the show contains no nudity (not even the nipple-slip from the movie) and minimal adult language (there’s the lyric “a mental mindf*ck can be nice”). However, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW is about a sex-crazed alien from the planet Transexual in gets killed and there is some death by laser gun, but let’s be real no one in America cares about violence. THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW has been around over 50 years, so do a quick google search and decide if you will be offended.

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW contains mature content unsuitable for young children and the faint of heart, including sexual themes and language. The production is meant to offend. If you are easily offended it is recommended that you skip this production.

Do you have info on the cast, band, and production team?

Yep. PROGRAM (link to our program).

Can I take photos/video during the show?

Absolutely not. Feel free before/after the show or during intermission. Guests recording the show in any way will be asked to leave. It is a violation of the theatrical license to make a video or audio recording of a performance.

Are costumes allowed?

Of course, we encourage folks to dress up and come ready to have fun! Don’t dream it, be it! Costume Contests – ROCKY CHARACTER LOOK ALIKE

COSTUME CONTEST – Friday, October 25 at 6:30pm & HALLOWEEN

COSTUME CONTEST – Thursday, October 31 at 6:30pm. All of Hainline Stage.

See the EVENTS CALENDAR tab.

Wait, do I have to dress up?

Absolutely not. You do you.

What about props?

A production-themed prop/swag bag is on sale for $5 in the lobby, so leave your super soakers and toast at home. We ask everyone respects the department, venue, and company by NOT bringing in things/making a mess. Anyone blatantly disrespecting the space (including the stage) will be asked to leave.

Click here for more information about PROP/SWAGBAGS tab.

Can I sing along?

Were you not going to if we said no? Singing along with actual lyrics is likely more ok than singing along at the top of your lungs with all of your own Audience Participation (AP)/Weird Al-style lyrics. Please note the music will be played differently (keys and tempos), and there will be different lyrics/verses/whole songs from what you may know.

Can I call out Audience Participation (AP)/Callback lines?

Yes, of course, but with some rules…dude this production is not about you…

THIS ISN’T THE MOVIE. Timing won’t be the same, the music is a faster, there are fewer pauses, the script is not the same (Rocky talks! Can you believe it!?) or in the same order, there are different verses and songs from what you know from the movie. Many AP lines from the film are based on visual cues that will not be present on stage in our production and so that thing you’re yelling out won’t even make sense. 

Click here for our AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (AP)/CALLBACK SCRIPT.

People can’t behave, this is 2024, why are you allowing AP/ Callback lines?

We thought about it, we stressed about it, and we swore a lot. A lot. And we still swear a lot. But we settled on that this IS part of the experience now and the show might be a little boring without any AP.

We just hope anyone wanting to be the center of attention/compete with/outright heckle the cast will read all this and ask why they’d come.

We’re asking old, cranky theatre folk and those used to the out-of-control film experience to meet in the middle and have a blast together! With us!

I’m confused, what the heck is AP/Callback and why are you making a big deal about it?

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW was a successful stage musical in London, New York, and Los Angeles before being adapted into a movie, THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW. That film flopped (twice), but then this thing happened where people starting showing up in costume, acting along in front of the screen, and yelling out things timed with the movie. AP = Audience Participation. Most know ROCKY HORROR through the participatory movie experience, and a lot of that has now bent back and filtered into the vibe of the show even when performed live. You don’t need to know anything about the movie or AP to come and enjoy this amazing show!

WIU Theatre & Dance - THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW

Participation and Prop Rules

We look forward to perform for you and want this to be an enjoyable experience for everyone. Please be respectful of the theatre as well as the people around you. Be cautious of others in your area. Toss items UP not OUT! To avoid damage to our theatre and to prevent any injuries we expect all guests to adhere to our rules. Guests who fail to follow these rules will be required to leave without a refund.

OUR RULES

• Do Not throw items at ANYONE.
• Do Not bring or use items from the “Items Not Allowed” List (see list below).

ITEMS NOT ALLOWED

• Lighters/Candles/Open Flames of Any Kind!
• Rice
• Confetti
• Toast/Hot Dogs/Prunes
• Water Pistols

Props in our Prop Bag: When and How to Use Them

Prop bags are available for sale ($5) to help with audience participation. Bags are available at concessions prior to the show. Here are the items in the prop bag and a little guidance on when and how to use them:

• Newspaper: When Brad and Janet are caught in the storm, Janet covers her head with a newspaper. Do the same with yours!
• Glow Stick: Light up the place during the "There's a light" chorus of "Over at the Frankenstein Place."
• Noisemaker: To celebrate your favorite moments! Especially in the lab.
• Rubber Glove: During Frank's speech in the lab, when he puts on the gloves, stretch and snap your gloves.
• Toilet Paper: When Dr. Scott enters the lab, Brad cries out "Great Scott!" At this point, Hurl toilet paper into the air.
• Party Hat: For the dinner party scene.
• Sponge: When Columbia is doing her "bitch out" speech and says to Frank, "you're like a sponge!" Throw the sponge!
• Playing Cards: After the floor show, when Frank is doing his solo number and sings the line “cards for sorrow, cards for pain.”

Yes, come in costume, participate and enjoy the show, but be respectful and follow our rules. We look forward to seeing you.

WIU Theatre & Dance - THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW

Events Calendar

Thursday, Oct. 24 - Performance at 7:30pm

• 9:30pm - "Talk Back" with LGBT*QA Center; WIU Multicultural Center; Queer Studies; Film Studies; and Race, Gender, and Multidisciplinary Studies.

Friday, Oct. 25 - Performance at 7:30pm

• 6:30pm - ROCKY HORROR Character "Look alike Costume Contest" - Emceed by our own - Dr. Scott!
• 9:30pm - Surgin' Generals Perform.

Saturday, Oct. 26 - Performances at 7:30pm & 10:30pm

• 6:30pm - "Rocky Heels Class" with the Queens of Sass - Kristin Kavanagh and Marisa Sanchez.
• 9:30pm - "Tyler Clark" Performs on the Hainline Theatre.

Thursday, Oct. 31 - Performance 7:30pm

• 6:30pm - " Halloween Costume Contest" - Emceed by our own - Dr. Scott!

Friday, Nov. 1 - Performance 7:30pm

• 6:30pm - "Rocky Heels Class" with the Queen of Sass - Marisa Sanchez.
• 9:30pm - Surgin' Generals Perform.