The year might not be 1973, but Baton Rouge residents will do the “Time Warp” once again.The Actors Theatre of Baton Rouge, a new company directed by Chris Adams, is bringing the cult classic “The Rocky Horror Show” to the stage for a two-week Halloween treat starting tonight. Tickets for the musical cost $15.The musical, which features local actors and University students, opens tonight at the Baton Rouge Little Theater second stage on Florida Avenue and runs Thursday through Saturday nights through Halloween night. There will be special midnight showings Oct. 30 and 31.”Rocky Horror,” which is well known as a film, actually began in 1973 as a stage musical. The film, starring Tim Curry, Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon, hit theaters two years later, paving the way for the film to become the midnight phenomenon it is today. The story follows a newly engaged couple, Brad and Janet, who meet a mad transvestite scientist after the couple gets a flat tire on a nearby road.”‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ is pretty much synonymous with participatory cinema and the midnight movie,” said Dr. Patricia Suchy, a communication studies professor who specializes in the history of film. “In high school, I was one of those crazy teenagers dressing up and doing the ‘Time Warp’ and yelling, throwing rice and holding up my newspaper on cue, etc.”Suchy said midnight screenings in the ’70s were mayhem. “We all enjoyed blowing off some steam at ‘Rocky Horror,'” Suchy said. “We all knew it was a ‘bad’ movie, but that’s what made it so much fun.”Audience participation, much like that of those traditional midnight “Rocky” screenings, will be a key feature of the local production, Adams said. “We absolutely want people to dress up just like at the movie,” Adams said. “The cast is going to be out in the audience about 30 percent of the time. We are going to have the script printed in the program with cues so even the ‘virgins,’ or newcomers, can follow along. The houselights are also going to be on most of the show as well, so people can participate.” “Rocky Horror” has found a way to survive for nearly 40 years by older generations passing down the production to the younger members of their family, which still continues today.”When [Actors Theatre] initially decided to perform ‘Rocky Horror,’ we were expecting a high school to college-aged crowd,” Adams said. “However, most of the calls have been from those of the ‘baby boomer’ generation asking if they could bring their teenagers to the show, so they could experience [‘Rocky’] with them.” But a large amount of students have still shown interest, Adams said.”I have seen the movie and am probably going to go see [the stage show] with some friends,” said Collin McKey, mechanical engineering sophomore. “The whole craziness of [‘Rocky’] is fun.” “Rocky Horror’s” music has also helped maintain its popularity among the younger and older generations.”I think everyone at least likes or has heard the music,” said Audrey Alem, international studies junior, who says she wasn’t even introduced to “Rocky Horror” by her parents but rather by her friends. “I heard about ‘Rocky’ through my friends when I was 13,” Alem said. And older fans remain true to their roots.”I still have my soundtrack,” Suchy said. “It’s on vinyl.”- – – -Contact Alex White at [email protected]