Rosetint Community TheatreRocky Horror Picture Show Shadow CastLost in New Haven80 Hamilton St.Oct. 16-24, 2026 “I would like, if I may, to take you on a strange journey,” says The Criminologist, the narrator of Rocky Horror Picture Show, in the first spoken line of the 1975 musical film tha t has attained worldwide cult status. Devoted fans attend screenings in costume and perform alongside the film as a shadow cast, miming the performances on screen and lip-synching the lines and songs of the characters. This past Friday night, New Haven’s own Rosetint Community Theatre staged their own version of this absolute pleasure of a production at Lost in New Haven. And if this first show was any indication, New Haven might be ready for it to become an annual event. Rocky Horror has had a strange journey, indeed. The film itself was initially a flop, but it became a weekly midnight movie sensation beginning in New York City in the years following. Shadow casts performed along and audience members participated by throwing specific items to go along with certain scenes and shouting out phrases before or after characters spoke their lines. Eventually it became a staple of midnight screenings across the country, and then the world. The movie itself is based on the 1973 West End stage musical The Rocky Horror Show written by Richard O’Brien as a tribute to early science fiction and horror films that put gender nonconformity front and center. It eventually made its way to Broadway and then to film, remaining a cultural touchstone to this day with a new Broadway production that began this past year at Studio 54. With a name like Rosetint — from the Rocky Horror song “Rose Tint My World” — it seemed inevitable that the theatre company would stage their own production. And what a production it was, one that emphasized the nonconformity of the original, starring a cast of enthusiastic, energetic, engaging performers who showcased their own individuality while shadowing well known and beloved characters. “Iconic” is a term that may seem overused these days, but in the case of this film, it is definitively appropriate. The late Tim Curry’s portrayal of Dr. Frank N Furter — who introduces himself famously as a “sweet transvestite” and is eventually revealed to be a mad, murderous scientist from outer space bent on creating the perfect man — is one for the ages. But he is one of many memorable characters, and the Rosetint cast recreated each one in their own singular way. They perfectly captured the controlled chaos of the film on the Lost in New Haven stage below the screening of the actual film, even performing down the center aisle and through the audience at times. They quickly changed scenery and props to accentuate each performance in its proper way, but they also maintained the essence of its at times not-so-proper subject matter. The fun was contagious. Upon entering, each attendee was asked if they were a “virgin,” i.e. someone who has never seen Rocky Horror with a shadowcast. If your answer was yes, you received a lipstick-drawn V on the back of your hand, though some audience members were seen with them on their cheek or forehead through the night. Those Vs were asked to come up to the stage before the show began if they chose to do so. Games were played to compete for a prize, but I won’t spoil the nature of those games in case you are planning on attending. Let’s just say it was truly some well-received R-rated fun. In the movie, we follow Brad and Janet, a newly engaged couple, who get a flat during a rainstorm and end up at Frank N Furter’s castle in the midst of a celebration that eventually reveals his newest creation, Rocky, which also reveals the means by which he came to create him. The rest of the night at the Frankenstein place gets downright wild. The Rosetint cast got wild, too. So campy, so cool, and infinitely adorable while also being sexy as hell, it’s near impossible to single out one person’s performance since each and every performer gave it their all. And I can’t forget to mention the vocalists and live band, which also performed during the film. All powerful, all passionate, so many of us sang right along with them. It is quite a conundrum for me to report on a show that was truly a joy to experience without knowledge of what might happen lest I ruin the surprises for everyone else. Yes, my husband and I, huge fans of the film, had never experienced it with a shadow cast. We wore our Vs proudly, though we did not participate in the games. Consent was reviewed before the festivities began, and while participation was encouraged, everyone had the option to also simply sit back and enjoy the show. We did grab a prop bag, which was filled with items to use at different points in the show when cued to do so (and those cues were typed on a list provided as well). For example, during the dinner scene the cast puts on party hats, so a party hat was provided. My husband wore ours (he unfortunately declined a photo for the article, though). There was also a participation script for the audience, a list of words to shout out when certain characters’ names are mentioned and before or after certain lines, like shouting out “Hey Brad, say something stupid!” right before Brad says, “Say, do any of you guys know how to Madison?” after the memorable “The Time Warp” dance number, one of many iconic production numbers throughout the show. Adding to the festivities was a Rocky Horror-themed trivia contest before the show began, as well as local vendors, hot dogs (Hummel, of course), cotton candy, popcorn sold by Rosetint members, and themed drinks such as the Hot Patootie and the Sweet Transvestite sold at the bar. The later shows had drag and burlesque performances scheduled as well. In the end, Brad and Janet learn a lot about themselves and the world around them. One of those lessons is that we are all different but the same — the same in our quest to be singularly who we are, and the same in our need to break out of the roles society tries to assign us. In a message printed in the show’s program, Rosetint Director Colin Anderson stated that he “knew immediately that I wanted to play with gender in this production, giving people an opportunity to express or experiment with their own gender identity through the lens of this iconic piece.” It is a testament to Rosetint as a whole and through the artists who produce and perform these events that individuality, inclusivity, and community are top priority. New Haven, you have four more chances to see this production if it is something, like me, you have always dreamed of attending. So remember what Dr. Frank N Furter said: “Don’t dream it, be it.” Please see the Rosetint Community Theatre Company Instagram page and/or website for more information about the remaining Rocky Horror shadow cast shows coming up this Friday and Saturday. Brad (Cassie Pavain) and Janet (Jacob Marks) times two. Credit: Karen Ponzio Photos. The Usherette (Miranda Rector) prepares the crowd for the night’s festivities. Credit: Karen Ponzio Photos. The post Cast Steps Out Of Shadows For Rosetint’s “Rocky Horror” appeared first on New Haven Independent. ...read more read less