The Plaza Theatre on Ponce de Leon Avenue is quickly becoming one of my favorite places to be. The staff is magnificent, and I’ve yet to have a less than exemplary experience there. As it stands, I’ve only seen a handful of films there: Trash Humpers, The Room and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The latter two are special events. The Room shows once a month and The Rocky Horror Picture Show plays every Friday night at midnight. I had the extreme pleasure of experiencing The Rocky Horror Picture Show and I can honestly say that I have never had that much fun at a flick.
Note that I’m not reviewing the film here. The screening at the Plaza was my first time seeing it and I am not in a place to give a proper review due to the wonders that were taking place all around me. I’m reviewing the event, the experience of seeing the film for the first time while surrounded by people that have seen it upward of 100 times.
From the second I entered the parking lot, I realized I was entering a whole new world. Along with that new world, I was also entering into a new family: a big, happy, dysfunctional and flamboyant family. I was quickly recognized as a virgin to the event and was awarded a large “V” on my forehead with red lipstick and a plump kiss on the cheek. As I moved through the line, I was handed some newspaper that would come in to good use later in the night (you’ll understand if you attend). Even just standing in line, waiting for the event to start, is exciting. The warmth, acceptance and fun, good-hearted nature just fills the air.
Before entering the theatre, the crowd was welcomed by the night’s host (or hostess in my case). She got the crowd pumped for what was to come and also gave a warning: This event is not for the ultra-conservative or easily offended. The combination of homosexuality, profanity and political incorrectness pretty much act as the night’s lifeblood. Seriously, if you are easily offended or get uncomfortable easily, do not attend. Actually, do attend it. Maybe you’ll lighten up a bit. That’d be good for everyone. Luckily, nothing really fazes me and I welcomed her warning with a huge smile.
My friends and I found our seats toward the middle of the theatre (“F–k the back!”) and waited with pure anticipation. The hostess greeted us once more then explained the game of the evening. Two males and two females were chosen (one of whom was a friend I came with) and they were told to pop balloons by humping the snot out of each other. Seeing my friend, who looks something along the lines of a towering lumberjack, humping the backside of a guy much smaller than himself, was tear-inducing hilarity.
After the game and a raffle, the film finally began. Now, I really didn’t watch much of the movie because there was a cast acting out the entire flick on a stage at the front and the audience was singing along to the songs and shouting out hilarious things as the movie played on. I was laughing and smiling the entire time and walked out feeling amazing.
I cannot urge you enough to attend this event. There is seriously nothing like it. My friends and I still talk about it and listened to the soundtrack on the way home and recollected the events that had happened only minutes before. I will definitely be attending again and again and again. Any chance I get, I will be there. I can only imagine how much greater the experience becomes as the screenings increase. Do yourself a favor and make it to a screening.
