Phil attends the midnight screening of THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW at the Camera 3-June 2, 2012

The Camera 3 Marquee.

So during the Charlie Chaplin Days at the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, I attended a midnight movie tradition here in San Jose. So after I finished my duties at the museum on Saturday (I was there from 11am to 10:30pm), I headed on over to the Camera 3 in Downtown San Jose for the midnight screening of THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW. As always, my friends from Barely Legal Productions were there to bring the film to life! It had been a long time since I attended one of these midnight shows, and I was long overdue for one! In fact I haven't attended a ROCKY show since January and I really wanted to see and support my friends!

The line for the show.

Upon my arrival, I met the lovely Bridgid McHavoc in the Psycho Donuts dining area in the theater's lobby. Bridgid, who's been with Barely Legal for several years, has portrayed several characters from the film; from Columbia to Magenta to the infamous Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Soon other Barely Legal cast members were arriving: Lizzie Bernard, Sandra Dee, and Drea Storey. The lobby was buzzing with excitement and a very long line began to form. Bridgid's husband Nate McHavoc was setting up the theater along with the BLP crew. Props were unloaded, built, and displayed. It all looked amazing! Each prop was extremely detailed that it all looked like the real props from the actual film! And let me just say that the costumes were all just simply amazing! I have been fortunate to see the BL crew in action at several of their shows and they always put 110% into each one. If you have never attended one of their shows, shame on you! Seeing a ROCKY show is required and is on everybody's cinematic bucket list!

Barely Legal's Bridgid McHavoc.

THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW is the alpha and omega of midnight movie; a cult classic that has no real equal. The film is in a class all by itself, far ahead of its time. The film was a bomb when it was first released. Now, it is part of the Library of Congress' National Film Registry. The film's message of "Don't dream it. Be it." has had a major influence on those who are different, the outcasts if you will. It resonates and has inspired many who felt that they didn't belong. Artists, punks, gays, lesbians, movie maniacs, college students, and everyone in between. The reason we love this film for more than just its obvious and fabulous over-the-top outrageousness. It speaks to us all to not give up on hope. To not give up on ourselves and to keep following our passions in life! Also the film is just one of the best films ever made!

So another great midnight screening has come and gone. But don't fret, the Barely Legal crew will be back in San Jose next month. They put on shows all over Northern California, so no matter where you live, there will be a show near you. To learn more about future shows, and how you can become a cast member, visit their website at http://barelylegal.rhps.org/.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!