By CAROLINE JOHNSON
Last night was an experience like absolutely none other. It was my first time at Beloit and my first time seeing the Rocky Horror Picture Show. I was marked as a “Virgin,” with a big old V drawn on my face. Little did I know that this label would be the initiation into a night filled with wild, uninhibited entertainment.
At 9:30 p.m., the Virgins were asked up to the stage. Janet, portrayed by the talented Cam Stenberg’24, and Brad, brought to life by Cam Meiers’23, sat elegantly before the eager crowd. The music began, and each Virgin who came to the stage delivered a lap dance one by one. I showed my bare butt, back, and balls. My hole breathed for the audience. The most impressive lap dancer won a coveted sex toy. Following the risqué lap dances, it was time for a costume contest. Among the standout entries, Little Bo Peep and a sheep emerged as the victors, earning yet another sex toy.
Then, the show began. Lyndsey Turner’24 and Deshawn Johnson’25, the directors of the show, performed a dance to the song “Circus” by Britney Spears, featuring two pairs of rip-away pants. The lights dimmed. Sophia Nitsche’25 and Ella Diers’24 descended the stairs to the intro song, “Science Fiction/Double Feature” and performed a sultry strip show. The Oscar Meyer Weiner hall was completely packed, and every scandalous move resulted in a roar of delight from the crowd.
With the audience now entranced, the show seamlessly transitioned into a delirious fever dream, a plotline that was so intricate and twisted that recounting it proved nearly impossible. It was a rollercoaster of emotions and experiences, and I was completely swept away.
I’d have to give it an 11 out of 10—the costumes, the cast, the commitment to the characters. Truly, it was a visual feast. During the entirety of the show there was always a new detail to peek at. I think my favorite part was all the different looks and costume changes throughout the show. Everyone looked so sexy! And the cast underneath all the lace and leather honestly left me speechless. Janet and Brad were incredible lovers. Frank, played by Siona Shishak’27, delivered a captivating performance. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her! Riff Raff, played by Graham Olen’24, and Magenta, played Rose Loos-Austin’23 (who moved with such strength. I don’t know how to describe it, but she was so strong), played the weird incesty-siblings perfectly. Isabella Verdi’23’s portrayal of Columbia, grieving for Eddie, was deeply powerful and profoundly moving.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Beloit was nothing short of phenomenal. It’s a tradition that I now understand and appreciate, and I am delighted to have witnessed it. The night was a wild, electrifying journey into a world where boundaries were pushed and expectations shattered, and I left with unforgettable memories and a respect for the dedication and creativity that goes into creating this unique spectacle.
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