Oasis, located on 11th Street, is no stranger to hosting drag performances; through Nov. 4, the club is home to “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” The immersive performance, a collaboration between Ray of Light Theatre and Oasis, is directed by Jason Hoover.
Within the LGBTQ+ community, attending your first show has become somewhat of a rite of passage. “Rocky Horror” gives individuals the opportunity to dress up and express themselves without fear of judgment. I was 13 when I watched the film adaptation of “Rocky Horror” for the first time. As a closeted kid in a rural area, the experience felt borderline spiritual. Attending the live show ten years later was a teenage dream come true.
“Rocky Horror” follows the journey of newly engaged couple Brad Majors and Janet Wiess, as they find themselves trapped in the castle of an alien mad scientist, Dr. Frank-N-Furter from the planet Transsexual. The play follows events that unfold on what turns out to be a very special night in the castle, as the Doctor unveils his new creation, a man named Rocky.
As performed at Oasis, it involves an ensemble cast of 15 characters, two rooms, and an audience of about 50 on the night I attended.
As I walked to the venue, I could see a line of people patiently waiting to get in. It’s tradition to dress up in your most elaborate outfits, from ripped black stockings to sparkly tops to over-the-top hairstyles, and the opening night crowd didn’t disappoint.
From outside, I could hear the faint sound of “Time Warp” playing, a sign of what was to come. The abnormally warm weather in the city allowed the natives to show up in fewer layers — perfect for the occasion.
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” was first performed at the Royal Court Theatre in London in June 1973. The musical was written by actor Richard O’Brien, and the play paid homage to B-movies, especially science fiction and horror films, from the 1930s to the 1960s. From the moment of its release, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” cemented itself into queer history by openly displaying themes of LGBTQ+ pride during a time when it wasn’t popular in the mainstream media.
Walking into Oasis, two ushers welcomed me to the wedding of Betty Munroe and Ralph Hapschatt, characters playing the parts of the former school friends of Brad and Janet. Everybody was given a complimentary cup of Betty Munroe’s Wedding Punch, which consisted of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic fruit punch. Then, the lights began to dim.
We started the night in the small bar in the front room of Oasis, where Brad proposed to Janet. “Dammit, Janet” began to play as the characters moved around the floor, slowly making their way through the audience, only to end up sitting on top of the bar.
The immersive aspects offered little room to avoid participating. “Asshole!” we all shouted out, a line that originated in cinemas years ago, every time Brad takes the stage.
I felt that at any moment, the spotlight was going to be pointed at me, dressed too casually for the occasion in blue jeans and a white t-shirt. But in just 15 minutes, my cautiousness began to fade as I watched everyone around me eager to participate, singing without fear of judgment.
Then the moment of anticipation arrived: Dr. Frank-N-Furter came down the stairs, wearing his signature ripped black stockings and corset. Suddenly, the night took a turn for Brad and Janet as they began their descent into the castle, unaware of all that was to come. Along with Brad and Janet, we were all invited into his laboratory, which moved the crowd from the small bar into a larger theater.
As I walked through the doors, I was transported into a different reality, the red lights coming down from the ceiling illuminating the dancers on the stage. Though the space is large, the intimacy was almost suffocating at first. The dungeon-like atmosphere and slow sensual music left me feeling exposed.
That feeling dissipated as soon as “Time Warp” began to play. The fan-favorite-turned-Halloween-classic served as the perfect ice-breaker to make everyone start dancing along with the cast.
Throughout the first act, I lingered near the back, cautious of my body language. I was afraid to be singled out by a cast member going up to any number of audience members, afraid of too much attention, afraid of looking like I didn’t belong.
Yet, as the night continued and the cast returned for the second act, my confidence grew. I made my way closer to the stage, and began to sing along with others nearby. The raw, queer expression, the vocal performances and the show’s campy nature were intoxicating.
Before I knew it, the grand finale, “I’m Going Home,” started to play, as Dr. Frank-N-Furter delivered a breathtaking vocal performance, which brought everyone in the venue into the emotional climax of the show.
“And I realize, I’m going home,” sang Dr. Frank-N-Furter. The crowd screamed back, “I’m going home!”
As I stood alone, slowly rocking my body back and forth to the melody, a knot formed in my throat. I’ve seen “Rocky Horror” on film countless times, but nothing could compare to witnessing it live. The unapologetic, queer self-expression from everyone in that room — not just the actors on stage — is what sets this show apart. As the lights dimmed for a final time, I knew I would remember that feeling forever.
The Narrator, played by Ryan Patrick Welsh at the start of the wedding of Betty Munroe and Ralph Hapschatt. Photo by David Moreno Figueroa 
Dr. Frank-N-Furter played by D’Arcy Drollinger performing I’m Going Home. Photo by David Moreno Figueroa 
Trixxie Carr, Joe Greene, Roeen Nooran, Albert Hodge, and Melinda Campero, stand on stage during the final act of the play. Photo by David Moreno Figueroa 
The Narrator, played by Ryan Patrick Welsh wrapping up the first act of the night. Photo by David Moreno Figueroa 
Brad Majors, played by Roeen Nooran, stands on a bar stool during the performance of Dammit Janet. Photo by David Moreno Figueroa 
Roeen Nooran, Kipp Glass, D’Arcy Drollinger, and Melinda Campero standing in the middle of crowd during the final performance of the night. Photo by David Moreno Figueroa
I’m glad you had a good time at The Rocky Horror Show I’ve always preferred it over The Rocky Horror Picture show the live show has more energy and life and while the film captured great performances it can’t compete with that feeling.
The Rocky horror picture show versus the play, the movie is a riot funny poignant and totally entertaining. I can’t remember how many times I saw this movie in a small theater with about a hundred people joining in and singing and shouting comments, for me any gender comments your non Plus, look at it for what it is a great play and a fun movie The end.
I live in Houston,
I was 17 yoa when I seen the picture show.
I have been to the show over 509+ times. In fact, just a couple of days ago I rented it on NETFLIX, for a new comer in my household. (70yo)
I’m now (63yy) and remember every line, every song, newspaper, water guns, rice , Scotts tissue, toasted bread, and of course a lighter, and the party favors. My friends and I was always at the front of the line every Saturday and Sunday midnight show.
Alabama Theater is no longer there in the River Oaks community 💰💰💵💵 they said it was causing to much Riff Raff,
Grew up Detroit seeing The Rocky Horror Show about every other weekend. Loved it! So somehow I landed on this article and immediately got excited and in my head I’m making plans to attend…. Oasis on 11th St. Hmmm, never heard of it but there’s an 11th st. in my town. As I searched, finally realized this was in San Francisco, ugh! Now living in Alabama I have only seen the play once at a local theater, it was delightful! Thank you for sharing the play by play as you witnessed it for the first time! Cheers❣️
The Rocky Horror Show is the stage show. The Rocky Horror PICTURE Show is STRICTLY the movie. I really thought this was about a shadowcast for a minute
You seem to have attended The Rocky Horror Show, the musical play as it’s called, yet you keep referring to it as the Rocky Horror PICTURE Show which is the title of the FILM version.
Not “Picture”. It just The Rocky Horror Show.
It’s only “picture show” when it’s, y’know, an actual picture show (aka. a film). The original stage production is simply The Rocky Horror Show, full stop.
“Frank-n-Furter it’s all over. Your mission is a failure, your lifestyle’s too extreme. I’m your new commander. You are now my prisoner. We return to Transylvania. Prepare the transit beam.”
Let’s remember: Frank-N-Furter was a bisexual rapist, a murderer, kidnapper and a cannibal in addition to wearing stylized feminine undergarments.
The moral of the story is vague enough such that we don’t know the full extent of what offense(s) cause(s) incesty Riff Raff and Magenta to take command.
DR SCOTT
You saw what became of Eddie.
Society must be protected.
RIFF RAFF
Exactly, Dr Scott. Now Frank N.
Furter, your time has come. Say
goodbye to all this and hello to oblivion.
Magenta and Riff-Raff then murder Columbia and Rocky. So there must be more to that led to their usurpation than just murder. They are dressed as space commanders, similar to Star Trek TOS male and female characters, not as androgynous transsexuals, as they engineer their return to the planet Transsexual in the galaxy of Transylvania.
I used to ride my bike to the Highland Park Village Theatre in Dallas (one of The First 30 US Theaters to show The Rocky Horror Picture Show as a weekly, ongoing midnight-only movie on April 29, 1977) late in the 1970s to see Rocky Horror more times than I could count. Once punk rock arose in the provinces, I’d see many Rocky Horror fans at punk shows, “Yay punk.”
The message I took from the film was “don’t dream it, be it,” tempered with “there must be limits.”
I don’t think that most contemporary celebrants take the second lesson to heart.