Weekend ‘Rocky Horror’ screenings lets Juneau fly its ‘freak flag’

A lot of festive events are going on this weekend. One is sure to leave you shivering in antici — pation.

Juneau’s art house theater is hosting a weekend of shadowcasted shenanigans in front of the cult classic “Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

That’s right folks, it’s time to do the “Time Warp” again. The unconventional, 1975 gender-bending cult film stars Tim Curry.

“It is an opportunity for normal human beings to just fly their freak flag safely for a night and go a little bit bananas and have it be OK,” said Gold Town owner Collette Costa.

Film fans and so-called virgins – or first-time Rocky Horror viewers — will be able to shout and interact at the screen.

Participants are encouraged to dress up, but Costa plans to provide props and costumes.

“So you don’t have to bring anything. In fact we prefer that you don’t bring anything. I don’t need hotdogs flying around the theater,” she said. “We have everything people need. … They can just show up, get a ticket, fill their own bag, go in and have a good time.”

Live performers also dress as film characters and will perform in shadowcast in front of the screen.

But which character is Costa’s favorite?

She rattles off names like Riff-Raff, Brad and Columbia, before she stops herself.

“But you know what? Scratch all that. Eddie. Love it,” she said. “Meatloaf, he’s got the best song, he drives a motorcycle, he gets the sax solo. And he’s a great dinner partner,” she said with a hearty laugh while slapping her knee.

Costa is alluding to a scene in which one character meets an untimely demise.

“ I think a lot of people who have never seen it, who aren’t aware of it, are a little bit afraid of the show. I think it maybe has a reputation of being burlesquey and risqué,” she said. “It’s really not. … It’s really mostly just a lot of goofy fun. And it gives you an excuse to wear all that eye paint you’ve been saving up.”