Rocky Horror Picture Show

On September 18, 2007, computer science professor Randy Pausch stepped in front of an audience of 400 people at Carnegie Mellon University to deliver a last lecture called “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams.” I was flipping through Randy's book and read something that made me think. He talked about making memories with his children before he died (from pancreatic cancer). Remembering his words, I just had to introduce Hannah to the "theatre" experience of Rocky Horror. It was something I enjoyed doing in college, as my friend & roommate Sharon, was in a troupe that performed at the midnight show. Although Hannah's seen the movie because we have the DVD, she hadn't seen it at the theatre. We went to see the Champaign Urbana Theatre Company's stage production with friends Julie, Tasha and Scotty. Then they stayed for the midnight movie. Hannah thoroughly enjoyed the experience. My ringtone for text messages is "Time Warp". I think I embarrassed Hannah when I was doing the Time Warp outside the theatre. LOL!

For those of you who are not familiar with Rocky Horror Picture Show (or RHPS for short), it is a 1975 British musical comedy film that parodies science fiction and B-movie horror films. The film is an adaptation of the British musical stage production The Rocky Horror Show. The film introduces Tim Curry and features Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick along with cast members from the original Kings Road production of the play first performed in the Theatre Upstairs at the Royal Court Theatre in 1973. Still in limited release 34 years after its premiere, it has the longest-running theatrical release in film history. The film is considered a cult classic. It gained notoriety as a midnight movie in 1977 when audiences began participating with the film in theaters across the United States. Rocky Horror is the first film from a major studio, such as 20th Century Fox, to be in the midnight movie market. Widely known by mainstream audiences, it has a large international following and is one of the most well known and financially successful midnight movies of all time. In 2005, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."

Everyone really should know how to do the Time Warp:

1. (It's just a) JUMP TO THE LEFT, with hands UP.

2. A STEP TO THE RIGHT (Time-Warper ANNETTE

FUNICELLO suggests a very WIDE step.)

3.* (With your hands on your HIPS) YOU BRING YOUR

KNEES IN TIGHT.

4. (Then) THE PELVIC THRUST (if repeated FIVE times,

it nearly drives you insa-a-ane).

5. HIPSWIVEL (if not driven insa-a-ane by step four).

6. LET'S DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN!

*Those with LIMITED LIMB ABILITIES may find it necessary to ALTER or

DELETE this action, but NO EXCUSES for alterations to steps four and five.

If you've never experienced Rocky Horror Picture Show, you're missing out!