The Bawdy Caste - The News

(taken from RN&R; Reno News & Review, 06/29/00, Vol. 6, No. 20 from "The Art of the Matter" by Kelley Lang)

Audience Participation

In addition to Discover the Arts, Jones coordinates the Movies In The Park program and the Rocky Horror Picture Show screening, which has become a popular event of the festival. He says the 25-year-old cult film, in which the audience becomes the show, was going to be put on hiatus this summer, but an email campaign by Rocky Horror fans convinced him and the other organizers to show it again.

Jones says it costs about $2,000 to hold the event, a fee which covers the cost of equipment, security, advertising and marketing as well as the $500 price tag for a print of the 1975 film. He says the Fresno, Calif., -based Rocky Horror volunteer cast, the Bawdy Caste, will return to help audience members move to the film's signature song, "Time Warp". Jones adds the Wingfield show is that group's biggest show. Last Year, he estimates about 1,500 people showed up for the event, quite a few of them people in their 40s and 50s.

The July 2 event will include a preshow street party on First Street that will take place a few hours prior to the 8 p.m. screening. Jones says that First Street merchants, including Hempfield's, Not Too Shabby, and Java Jungle, raised the money to organize the party. The fun includes Rocky Horror costume contests, a "Rocky Rally" with the Bawdy Caste and live music before the crowd moves to Wingfield Park for the show.

Jones says despite the nature of the campy horror musical-and the even raunchier retorts by audience members-they haven't had any complaints about foul language or behavior since he feels most people are familiar with the film. He says the audience members often clean up all the toast, newspaper, toilet paper and other items used during the film and are usually courteous about toning down the burlesque atmosphere if a lot of young families are present.

"The Rocky Horror crowd is one of the best-behaved crowds all month," he says.