Shouts, laughter and toast flew through the air Saturday night as the Fishnet Mafia performed "The Rocky Horror Prom Show." People of all ages and walks of life came in prom attire and fishnets to celebrate birthdays, high school proms and to experience one of the most unique and racy shows in Columbus.
The Fishnet Mafia has been performing since 2003 at Studio 35 Cinema & Drafthouse, at 3055 Indianola Avenue. On the first Saturday of every month, the cast takes a different spin on the cult-classic "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," by adding a new theme. Past themes include a science fiction show, an all-girl show, a St. Patrick's Day show and a "switch" show that allowed audience members to choose which parts the actors played. The prom show featured characters in tuxedos, gowns and underwear.
The themes add variety to the shows, which attract regular audience members, said two-year cast member Chris Stephenson.
The Fishnet Mafia's "Rocky Horror Picture Show" is different from most other live performances in Columbus.
"This is one of the greatest audience participation programs around," Stephenson said.
Attendees are encouraged to dance, shout and throw things throughout the show. For $1, they can buy prop bags that contain a piece of toast, a newspaper, a roll of toilet paper and other items used throughout the show. Before the show, people can dance to music specially mixed for the evening's theme, socialize with friends and cast members, or enjoy a beer from Studio 35's wide selection.
"The Rocky Horror Picture Show" started on Broadway in 1973 and was adapted into a movie in 1975. Since the movie's release, it has had a history of crowd participation. People shouting at the screen, dressing in costume and lip-synching to the film's music have since become traditions in theaters across the country.
By midnight Saturday, the pre-show entertainment had begun. Cast Director Anthony Nelson had taken the microphone and begun summoning the virgins, or first-time attendees, to the stage for an initiation.
The initiation process included some virgins having to spank themselves while others passed a rubber penis down a line using only their knees.
Soon after, the film started rolling and the cast took the stage for the performance.
The colorful language and sexually-charged content makes for an entertaining experience for most adults, but not for families or the easily-offended. The show features strip teases, transvestites, dirty jokes and lots of profanity. But the Fishnet Mafia aims to capture this crude and taboo aspect of the film, and in that sense it is a great success.
April Bohnert can be reached at bohnert.8@osu.edu.
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