In the days leading up to Halloween, theater companies across the US frequently present the stage version of The Rocky Horror Show. Although most are unsure what makes this bizarre musical from 1973—which became a cult-classic comedy horror film in 1975—phenomenally popular among audiences for nearly 50 years, its ever-growing fan base has proven time after time that it is here to stay.

For those who have never seen Rocky Horror, the simplest way to describe the show is a musical gone mad. During a stormy night, a young engaged couple—Janet and Brad—are left stranded with a flat tire in a remote location. With no choice but to seek help from a strange and ominous mansion, they are taken in by a mad scientist, Dr. Frank-N-Furter, who introduces them to a surreal world with bizarre characters, slowly indoctrinating the couple into their weird ways. Everything reaches its peak when Frank-N-Furter reveals his newest experiment, Rocky. His creation is only the beginning of the horrors that take place in a mansion inhabited by a hos of freaks. Lives will be lost, relationships will be ruined, and time will be warped in two hours of unpredictable craziness. Shortly after the film release, audiences began talking back to the screen and began dressing as the characters, spawning similar performance groups across the nation. Similar participatory elements are common in the stage version as well. 

This year, Cutting Edge Theater in Slidell decided to put a twist on their rendition. They are presenting a Voodoo theme while still keeping the original story intact. Director Jennifer Gesvanter offers more insight on what the theatre is planning to showcase.

What is your favorite quote from the Rocky Horror?

Oh God.. my favorite quote from Rocky? Okay, so probably one of my favorite things is having to do with the callbacks that people cry out during the show. One of my favorites has always been when during “Make You a Man” he says just, “seven days” and the audience calls back, “and six long nights!” That’s probably one of my favorite ones.

Can you describe the Rocky Horror Show in your own words?

So you have two ordinary kids that are just leaving a wedding and their car breaks down. They stumble upon this mansion and they try to get some help, but when they go in there, all hell breaks loose and they find out they are amongst some people that are not like them whatsoever. And a great great time is had.

How many years have you participated in Rocky Horror at Cutting Edge?

This is probably my fifth year doing something with it. I actually play the narrator. I think this is my fourth time playing the narrator.

What is your favorite aspect about the production process in general and the behind the scenes work?

I love watching everything come from absolutely nothing in the beginning and then there’s a point during the rehearsal process where something just clicks and all of sudden everyone is excited and on board and so thrilled because they realize they’ve just put something together that’s been a really really rough process sometimes. That’s what I love. When I see the thrill on other people’s faces with what they’re doing on stage.

What is your favorite part about doing the show with the audience?

So, I’m lucky and very fortunate that my character actual gets to break the fourth wall, so I get to talk back to the audience. And there’s sometimes were I’ll just go off on a tangent with them and start making fun of people in the audience. Its very fun and reminds me of insult comics in a way and it’s a good way for me to be able to express and have fun with something that’s just out of the norm of being an actual character on stage.

Why do you think Rocky Horror has become such a cult classic with audiences?

Because its people that are just doing what they want to do and are just having fun being who they are.  It gives people a chance to just express themselves and just be free to have fun, let loose, have a good time, and not feel judged by other people.

What do you feel like audiences should do in preparation and what should they take away after seeing the show?

Good preparation for this would be… I don’t know. A lot of people have seen the movie, but the stage production of it is a little bit different. Whereas most places are doing a shadow casting, we actually are live singing and full-on dancing, putting on a full show, which is something completely different than what a lot of places do. And I think that people will take away from it that its really just a good time. They come to a theater to just let everything go away for a little bit and just have fun. And that’s what it’s really all about.

Cutting Edge Theater is located at 767 Robert Boulevard in Slidell. Two final productions remain, on Friday, October 29, and Saturday, October 30, at 8 p.m. Visit the theater’s website for tickets and additional information.