Athens’ favorite Halloween tradition is back. In the wise words of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, “Give yourself over to absolute pleasure,” and make your way out to Lost Flamingo Company’s annual rendition of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Lost Flamingo Company will put on its 16th annual showing of the 1975 cult classic, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, at The Union Bar and Grill, 18 W. Union St.
Mallory Dale, a sophomore studying communication, went to the show last year. The whole show was “really strange,” but she said she enjoyed every minute of it.
“Even though the film was made a really long time ago, it kind of started the hit on the topic of cross-dressing depicted through film, which is one of the main reasons why I really like it,” Dale said.
Dale also enjoys the music throughout the show.
“My favorite song by far is ‘Time Warp,’ ” Dale said. “I’ve seen the movie so many times that I practically know the dance moves to the entire thing.”
Zach Delin, a junior studying linguistics and Japanese, will play Brad Majors. Delin has been a part of the Lost Flamingo Company for three years.
“It’s a pretty big honor getting to play a lead role,” Delin said. “Even though getting to play Brad is really cool, I still try to be humble about it.”
Delin is excited for this year’s showing.
“I think the entire cast is wonderful and are truly talented individuals,” he said. “I feel like we are all in tune with one another, so I have a good feeling it’s going to be a fun weekend.”
Scott Winland, a promoter of The Union, is also looking forward to the fun weekend.
“We are excited to have worked with LFC each year to make this show a success,” Winland said in an email. “Both the venue and the show embody that ‘island of misfit toys’ spirit. I think it’s a great fit.”
Winland said Lost Flamingo Company does such a great job promoting the event that it seems like the crowds keep getting bigger and bigger each year.
With the popularity that The Rocky Horror Picture Show has in Athens, it is no doubt that director Darragh Liaskos, a junior studying media and social change, is excited for her debut as the new director.
“This is the first time in three years that the show has changed directors,” Liaskos said. “So it has definitely been a learning process for not only me, but also the cast to adjust to a new type of authority.”
There are many returning cast members as well as new faces, the majority of them being freshman and sophomores, Liaskos said.
“The cast is really good this year,” she said. “It’s one of the best I’ve ever worked with.”
Alumni come from all over the state and country to see Lost Flamingo Company’s performance of the show, Liaskos said. It is a huge deal in Athens and everyone who has an appreciation for the show knows it.
There’s some pressure that comes along with reputation that the show has gained in Athens, but Liaskos is not worried because of how great the audience’s response is to the actors.
“It’s going to be a really fun show this year,” Liaskos said. “I already know that my voice will be gone from all of the screaming and singing by the end of the weekend.”
