Magic Lantern Films will present its quarterly production of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at UC Santa Barbara on Friday, Oct. 16. The performance, featuring the Creatures of the Night shadow cast, will honor the legacy of Tim Curry, the star of the 1975 film adaptation, following news of his passing in August. This production marks a long-standing campus tradition, dating back to at least the 1980s.
Third-year writing and literature major Hadley Simmons and third-year psychological & brain sciences major Shai Molendyk, co-presidents for Magic Lantern Films, are directing this quarter’s show. Simmons explained that the original film was initially a box office failure before developing a cult following, which led to the creation of shadow casts that perform alongside the movie.
The club is dedicating this performance to Curry's legacy. Simmons stated, “This one goes out to Tim!” Fourth-year mathematics major Eden Sylvester will portray Curry’s iconic character, Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Sylvester described the role as an opportunity to embody Frank-N-Furter's commanding, loud, and sexual personality. Simmons praised Sylvester’s portrayal, noting the audience would witness a special performance.
Sylvester detailed her preparation for the role, which includes practicing facial expressions in a mirror to replicate Curry's and developing her own. She views her performance as a way to honor Curry's significant influence on the project. During rehearsals, Sylvester animatedly portrayed Frank-N-Furter’s reaction when revealing Rocky. Evan Griffith, a fourth-year philosophy major playing Brad, expressed anticipation for this moment, calling the unveiling “insanely camp.”
Simmons highlighted a key visual element of the upcoming show: a “human chair” during the first chorus of “Sweet Transvestite,” where Frank-N-Furter sits. This part is also a favorite for Mia Bento, a fourth-year environmental studies major playing Rocky, who noted Sylvester's strong performance in the scene. Griffith added that working with the cast, especially Sylvester as Frank-N-Furter, is enjoyable due to Brad's insecure dynamic with the character.
Other cast members shared their experiences. Third-year film and media studies major Solei Corazon, a Transylvanian, appreciates the group dynamic of the role. Yumalai Duran, a second-year sociology student portraying Magenta, enjoys improvising with Riff Raff. Nick Ferrara, a second-year film and media studies and art double major playing Riff Raff, highlighted “The Time Warp” as a classic song that encourages audience participation. Stella Kirby, a first-year biology major, enjoys playing her energetic character, Columbia. Chiara McKay, a second-year political science major playing Janet, looks forward to her character’s pivotal moment in “Touch-A-Touch-A-Touch-A-Touch Me.”
Audience participation is an integral part of the show. Simmons described attending the performance as a collective experience for both performers and audience members. This includes “callouts,” where audience members playfully shout comments at the characters on screen. Simmons noted that a “giant Google Doc” tracks known callouts, but also encouraged attendees to create new ones. Sylvester expressed excitement at the prospect of hearing an original callout. During rehearsals, cast members practiced familiar callouts, such as one directed at Rocky that states, “if you’re happy and you know it, bang your bars!”
Beyond callouts, performers plan to interact with the audience as they enter the venue, and cast members will dance in the aisles during most songs, offering closer views of the performances. Molendyk invited students interested in future productions to join the cast or crew, regardless of prior experience, mentioning that open auditions are held at the start of each quarter. Griffith, who previously had no theater experience, found his “inner theater kid” through this production. More details on the upcoming show and future productions are available on the club’s social media.