Rocky Horror

This Halloween marks the decade event that the Ferris family brought a unique twist to ‘watching’ the Rocky Horror Picture Show. This movie showing requires the audience to become a cast member during certain scenes.

Picking out costumes was carefully thought out this year for those attending Rocky Horror, with most people dressing up as different characters from the movie. During the show, the audience voted on their peers’ costumes, and the best-dressed person was selected to act out the specific scene. Those who had not seen the film were given a “V” that was marked with red lipstick. This symbolized the people who were ‘virgins’ to the film.

The Ferris family has continued the Rocky Horror Picture Show tradition in Norman. This tradition is based on the uniqueness of audience participation. According to the Rocky Horror Picture Show website, this idea began at Waverly Theater in 1977 when Alan and Ed Bordenka shouted out lines to go along with the show’s dialogue. However, they didn’t stop there. They proceeded to go to various theaters all over New York City to continue this tradition that continues to be relived today. Amy Lazarus and her friends are responsible for bring confetti into the theater and throwing in during certain parts of the show. This tradition began the use of props that people bring or are provided when viewing the show.

“It’s a lot of work,” Tom Ferris said. “[But] it’s always been a fun event.” Every year Ferris and his family run the entire event themselves. They are responsible for renting the Sooner Theater, buying the copyrights to the movie, publicizing the event, selling tickets and even buying props for the audience to use during the show. His mother, Elizabeth Ferris, said Tom came up with this project and does most of the work preparing and implementing it, although the entire family helps out.

The Ferris family plans on hosting the event for many more years. “We’re just going to keep doing it until people stop coming,” Ferris said.

(VIDEO: KELSEY HIGHTOWER 1:40)

(SOT: Tom Ferris and Bryant)