50+ year Rocky Horror tradition enters new era after Tim Curry’s death

MILWAUKEE, WI (WTAQ) — August 25 was a hard day for fans of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Here in Wisconsin, the shadowcast of the longest running continuous showing of the film celebrated the life and legacy of Tim Curry over the weekend at their first performance since the legendary actor’s passing.

Audience members showed up in a big way to honor their Dr. Frank-N-Furter.  Here’s what they had to say:

“The last thing he would have wanted was me mourning, so that’s why I’m here; to have a good time.  That’s what Tim Curry was about.”

“This show means a lot to the queer community, and Tim Curry has really impacted a lot of queer lives.”

“He always was himself no matter what, and it didn’t really matter what the world thought of him.”

About 1,000 audience members attended the sold out showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Milwaukee’s Oriental Theatre on Saturday night/Sunday morning.

The movie came out in 1975 and initially flopped before die-hard fans resurrected the film during midnight showings.  Now, it’s the movie with the longest running theatrical release ever with the fearless Dr. Frank-N-Furter, played by Tim Curry, at the center of the action.

For over 50 years audiences have been dressing up with their friends, shouting silly phrases, having squirt gun battles, all while a live shadowcast mirrors the characters and stories on screen.

This is something I’ve witnessed personally.  The Sensual Daydreams shadowcast in Milwaukee is the longest running continuous showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show in the world, and I [Rachel Charniak] have been part of it for about 5 years.

Of course with Tim Curry’s passing, there was a little extra flare added to this show.

“Once it started and all the candles went up, it was just this moment of family,” said Lyn Kream.

Lyn Kream plays Frank in our cast.  She’s our “Rocky mom” with 38 years of shadowcasting under her belt.  It was her idea to give every audience member a candle during Frank’s final song, I’m Going Home, to symbolically guide Curry’s final journey home.

“I didn’t get fully emotional until right before the end,” said Kream. “The sense of community was outstanding.”

And, thanks to former cast member Mike Scott, audience and cast members got to see one of Frank’s costume pieces, and Lyn got an experience she won’t forget.

“I got to wear his [Tim Curry’s] jacket tonight and I have his sweat and DNA stuck on my body!” said Kream with a giggle. “I’m not taking a shower tonight!”

Though Curry’s impression on Lyn is substantial, his impact on the Rocky community goes beyond those who play Frank-N-Furter.

“People really cared about Tim Curry,” said Callie Green, shadowcaster since 2023.  “We all loved him very much as a Rocky family.”

“His legacy has impacted each of our lives in such a real and personal way,” said Kimberly Laberge, shadowcaster since 2023.

“How do we carry that torch? And how do we continue to live our best lives under that inspiration?” Said Brittany Haut, shadowcaster since 2017.

To answer that question, I say we live by what Frank told us. Don’t dream it, be it.