Unconscious Mating

Okay, now I’ve probably got your attention, so calm down and let me explain. (Maybe you are smiling)  At Rocky Horror anyone who has never been to see the show before is called ‘a virgin’ and they actually call you up before the show begins (if you’ll go). If you are a Rocky Horror virgin, you can familiarize yourself with Rocky Horror etiquette here.

There are actors who play out the movie right before your eyes and the audience speaks along with the movie dialogue. Before the film starts, the audience gets up to dance. It’s quite a scene.

Still, seeing this show as a first date might be a risk. There‘s a lot of cursing, some partial nudity (people walking around in bras), sexual innuendo and a lot of audience participation. So if you or your dates are quick to embarrass, you might want to leave. That’s the potential down side.

The up side is that it‘s not a run of the mill experience and it can be funny, original and fun. It’s a cult classic and a very ‘New York’ thing to do…at least once. It’s more unique than a regular flick and you can conveniently catch it at the Clearview in Midtown Manhattan at midnight on Fridays and Saturdays for only $9 per person. (We went in for $7 a person with our Optimum Rewards card!).

We went to see it this weekend on a whim because I remembered it being fun when I was in high school (many moons ago) and I thought it could be a fun cheap date. I have to say that we felt old and were the oldest ones there. I say this so you know what to expect as it seemed to be mostly populated by people in their early 20’s. Still, there’s never an age limit on fun!

Tim Curry stars in the film with a fantastic performance and Susan Sarandon sings and is quite charming. I forgot to mention that it’s a musical and has some classic songs that everyone sings.  The film is surreal and dreamlike and in my already sleepy haze I thought that it was about freedom and exploration. What do other people say that it’s about? Even the review by Roger Ebert doesn’t analyze the film’s message but describes it as a ‘social phenomenon’ rather than a movie.

In the movie theater, the Rocky Horror actors sell prop bags for $2 that include rice (to throw at the wedding scene), bread and toilet paper (for appropriate parts of the film). If you really love it, they even suggest that you check out their website if you want to become a Rocky Horror actor too (and develop a new hobby/community).  You can also buy the trivia game!

So if you want a zany experience and think that you can stay up till 2AM’ish and participate in some exhibitionist fun, check it out!

The Clearview Chelsea Cinema in Manhattan is on 23^rd St. between 7^th and 8th Avenue and the Rocky Horror Picture Show takes place there at midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Call to confirm.  Happy Dating!

My Best in Love,

Paulette

Bio:

Dr. Paulette Kouffman Sherman is a licensed psychologist and author of ‘Dating From the Inside Out: How to Use the Law of Attraction in Matters of the Heart’ published by Atria Books. She’s the Director of http://www.mydatingschool.com which offers coaching and classes in dating issues. She was a speaker at The Learning Annex for over two years and was an expert on television shows such as the CBS Early Show & the AM Northwest Early Show. She has been quoted as a relationship expert in MSN.com, USA Weekend, the NY Post, Lifetime.com, Reader’s Digest, Redbook, Glamour, ‘Seventeen, Complete Woman’ magazine and the NY Times. 

 ALSO, IF YOU’D LIKE TO ASK ME A QUESTION ABOUT DATING, LOVE OR MARRIAGE, EMAIL ME AT kpaulet@verizon.net.  I WILL TRY TO ANSWER YOU (anonymously) IN A COLUMN.  THANKS!

                                 Related Links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rocky_Horror_Picture_Show

http://www.rockyhorror.org/faqframe/s-text.html (Rocky Horror Script)

http://www.timewarp.org.uk/1virgins.htm (instructions for first timers)

http://www.myspace.com/ssquartermaster (they even have a MySpace page)

http://www.rhpf.org/news.triviacards.shtml (Rocky Horror trivia game)

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19750101/REVIEWS/501010356/1023 (movie review)

http://www.nycrhps.org/ (be part of the cast)