Let’s Do the Time Warp Again!

The Rocky Horror Picture Show will be shown at Third Avenue Playhouse on Halloween night. Submitted photo.

Third Avenue Playhouse (TAP) will bring the Halloween classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show to its silver screen on Oct. 31 as part of its recently formed Donna Film Festival, which plays homage to the playhouse’s much-loved former inhabitant, the Donna Theater.

The musical comedy horror will begin at 7:30 pm, Halloween night.

The Donna Film Festival was started last winter as a way for TAP to plug films into its programming during the cold winter months, according to TAP co-director Bob Boles. This will be the first year the theater has shown a Halloween flick, though it’s been years in the making.

“We’ve been wanting to do it for a few years but this is the first year since we’ve [Boles and co-director James Valcq] been here … that Halloween has actually happened on a weekend,” Boles said. “We wanted to be able to attract a wide range of people, including students, and that might be a tough sell on a weeknight so we waited until Halloween was happening on a weekend.”

“Cities do it all over the place, especially on Halloween,” Boles added. “Rocky Horror is a huge draw for a lot of different theaters so we’re hoping the same can happen here.”

The 1975 cult classic, written by Jim Sharman and Richard O’Brien based off the 1973 musical production The Rocky Horror Show, pays tribute to science fiction movies and horror B movies from the four decades leading up to its release.

The story follows a young couple that seeks refuge in the bizarre mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter after their car breaks down on a rainy November night. What ensues is a night filled with comedy, music, science fiction, fantasy and, when watching it at the right place, 100 minutes of audience participation.

Boles fully expects people to yell back lines at the screen, act out the film, and bring out props at various times during the film, as has long been tradition. There will not be, however, any throwing of toast.

TAP encourages guests to dress as their favorite Rocky Horror character for a chance to participate in a costume parade on stage and win prizes.

For those who haven’t experienced it in theaters, check out The Rocky Horror Picture Show’s official fan site and its accompanying “A Virgin’s Guide” to watching the film at rockyhorror.com/participation/virgins.php.

You can also check out the site to brush up on your Time Warp moves and find a list of props to enhance the movie-watching experience.

“It’s an event for all ages and the movie is a lot of fun. Most people, I’m sure, know it but if they don’t know it, they’re in for a fun treat,” Boles said. “We’re just going to make it as big and festive of a night as we can for Halloween.”

And if the Halloween showing ends up being a hit with the theater?

“I’d be very happy to make it a tradition,” Boles said.

Admission to the film is $5. Concessions will be available for purchase.

Third Avenue Playhouse is located at 329 N. 3rd Ave. in Sturgeon Bay. For more information visit thirdavenueplayhouse.com.