Keene venues celebrate 'Rocky Horror' and Tim Curry's legacy

More than five decades after "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" first introduced audiences to its eccentric characters, elaborate costumes and unconventional storytelling, the cult classic continues to bring fans together. This Halloween season, two downtown Keene venues are putting their own spin on the film's enduring popularity, offering audiences opportunities to celebrate its music, characters and the legacy of actor Tim Curry, whose portrayal of Dr. Frank-N-Furter became one of the film's most recognizable elements. Madame Sherri's will host a special screening and live shadow cast performance on Friday, Oct. 23, dedicated to Curry. A week later, The Colonial Theatre will continue its longstanding "Rocky Horror" tradition with a screening on Friday, Oct. 30, followed by an adults-only burlesque performance featuring local artists. While the venues are approaching the film through different types of performances, both events highlight the lasting influence of a movie that has developed an enthusiastic following across generations. Owen Murphy, director of programming at The Colonial Theatre, said the film has become an established part of the theater's annual programming. "'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' has been a tradition at The Colonial for years," Murphy said. "It's grown beyond just a film screening into an event. This year, we wanted to lean into that and give audiences something more." Originally released in 1975, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" follows a newly-engaged couple, Brad Majors and Janet Weiss, who stumble upon the mysterious residence of Dr. Frank-N-Furter after experiencing car trouble. What follows is a musical comedy filled with science fiction, horror and unconventional characters, including Curry's flamboyant portrayal of the eccentric scientist. Although the film initially struggled to find a mainstream audience, it eventually became a cult phenomenon through midnight screenings, where fans developed traditions of dressing as characters, singing along, shouting responses to dialogue and participating in scenes with props. Those interactive traditions have become a defining characteristic of the film's popularity, transforming screenings into communal performances. For Murphy, the film's continued relevance is rooted partly in its themes of individuality and self-expression. "I think the film speaks to something that goes beyond the story itself: overcoming inhibitions, discovering who you are, and allowing yourself to be present in the moment," Murphy said. "That message still resonates with audiences today, and the experience of sharing it with a room full of people has become part of the tradition." At Madame Sherri's, located at 82 Main St., that legacy will take center stage during an event honoring Curry's portrayal of Frank-N-Furter. The Oct. 23 event will feature a live shadow cast performance by Terrible Thrills, whose members will recreate scenes from the film in front of the screen as the movie plays. Unlike a traditional theatrical production, a shadow cast works alongside the original film, recreating its characters, choreography and memorable moments in real time. The format encourages audience participation and allows viewers to experience the movie through both its original performances and the interpretations of local artists. Madame Sherri's event will begin with a pre-show at 7 p.m., followed by the screening at 7:30 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to dress as their favorite characters, sing along and participate in the movie's established traditions. The following Friday, The Colonial Theatre, at 95 Main St., will offer another interpretation of the film's theatrical traditions. The Oct. 30 festivities will begin with a 7 p.m. screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, followed by Pleasure Convention: Creatures of the Night, an 18-and-older burlesque performance at 9 p.m. Murphy said the production takes inspiration from the Transylvanian Convention depicted in the movie, drawing on its distinctive characters, costumes and theatrical style. "It's a fun, campy, 18+ burlesque performance, drawing on the film's iconic cast and Tim Curry's enduring portrayal of Dr. Frank-N-Furter," Murphy said. "Costumes are encouraged, so audiences can have fun with it themselves." The production will feature performers from Monarchs of Mayhem and Terrible Thrills, two groups that have previously worked with The Colonial through its SHOWROOM performance space. Murphy said bringing the groups together on The Colonial's main stage represents an opportunity to showcase local creative talent while building upon those existing relationships. "The Colonial has worked with performers from Monarchs of Mayhem and Terrible Thrills before at SHOWROOM, so bringing them together on our mainstage for Rocky Horror felt like a natural next step," he said. "The performance is entirely designed by Monarchs of Mayhem and Terrible Thrills, and we're excited to put the spotlight on local artists and give them the opportunity to bring their vision to our mainstage." Murphy said programming events that differ from The Colonial's more traditional theatrical and musical offerings are part of a broader effort to engage the community. Rather than relying exclusively on established formats, he said, the organization is exploring ways to respond to changing audience interests and introduce performances that may not have previously been part of its programming. "There's no one-size-fits-all approach," Murphy said. "We're listening to our patrons and the community, and we're learning to try ideas that may have been outside our comfort zone in the past." The presence of two Rocky Horror events on Main Street also demonstrates how local venues can offer distinct experiences built around the same cultural phenomenon. For audiences, Madame Sherri's shadow cast will provide a performance centered on recreating the original film and honoring Curry's portrayal of Frank-N-Furter, while The Colonial's programming will combine the traditional screening experience with a newly developed burlesque production. Murphy said he views the multiple celebrations as a reflection of the film's cultural significance rather than competition between venues. "It's a beloved film, and Tim Curry's iconic performance has connected with generations of audiences," he said. "Having multiple events in town celebrating this cultural phenomenon speaks to its lasting impact." "Different venues can bring their own interpretation to a work like this, and that gives people more ways to connect with it." Beyond the immediate festivities, Murphy said events featuring local performers are important to The Colonial's efforts to remain accessible and relevant to different audiences. He acknowledged that theaters across the country are facing challenges in attracting and maintaining audiences, requiring organizations to reconsider how they connect with their communities. "We're reimagining how we connect with the community as a whole, and that means being honest about the barriers that may have made some people feel less comfortable walking through our doors in the past," Murphy said. He said The Colonial hopes to create stronger relationships with audiences by offering performances that reflect different experiences, interests and creative perspectives. "Theaters like ours across the country are struggling to build, let alone sustain audience engagement," Murphy said. "We have to challenge ourselves to find new ways to connect with people if we're going to continue as an organization." For Murphy, the long-term goal is to establish a stronger relationship between the theater, local performers and the community it serves. "We want it to be more than a place where touring artists perform," Murphy said. "We want it to be a place where people see something of themselves." Whether through a live shadow cast, audience participation or burlesque, the events offer different ways for fans and newcomers to experience the film's traditions while recognizing Curry's cultural legacy. "I think it's something to celebrate," Murphy said.