Tim Curry portraying Dr. Frank-N-Furter in a scene from The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Flanking him are Patricia Quinn as Magenta (left) and Richard O’Brien as Riff-Raff.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
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Hulton Archive/Getty Images
As the clock strikes midnight, crowds gather at a vintage art deco cinema nestled in the suburbs of Detroit.
Inside the State-Wayne Theater in Wayne, Michigan, a luminous dragon mural adorns one screening room. Here, twice monthly, the Michigan Rocky Horror Preservation Society convenes, with members dressed in elaborate costumes-corsets, feather boas, distressed jeans-that pay homage to their beloved film’s iconic characters.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, a cult classic whose spirit is kept alive by numerous fan groups worldwide, including this dedicated Michigan chapter.
“We were pioneers of immersive cinema long before it became a trend,” says Becky Milanio Koupparis, the society’s chief operating officer and director emeritus. She first embraced the goth-inspired look to attend a screening in Berkeley, California, at just 16 years old-44 years ago. Today, she is a respected figure within the national Rocky Horror community.
Koupparis, renowned for her costume craftsmanship, is one of the group’s longest-standing members. Founded in 2013 with roughly 15 enthusiasts, the society now boasts around 60 devoted volunteers. These “phantoms” energetically shout back lines during screenings and toss toast when a toast scene occurs. Meanwhile, the “shadowcast” performs live beneath the screen, meticulously reenacting the film’s scenes.
“We strive to replicate every subtle gesture-lip-syncing, turns, dance steps-down to the tiniest detail,” explains Moonbeam Albin-Frey, a founding member of the group.
During the 1970s and 1980s, Rocky Horror fans often attended multiple showings to perfect their performances. Some theaters even held special screenings with the house lights on, allowing fans to take notes, recalls current director Jessica Harris. This was before the convenience of home video players.
“Back then, you couldn’t pause or rewind to study costumes or choreography,” Harris notes.
“Nowadays, fans can even 3D print costume elements!” adds Milanio Koupparis.
The obsession with “screen accuracy” is intense. For instance, a Facebook group dedicated solely to replicating Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s jacket has over 700 members. Fans passionately debate details like the precise hue of sequins on Magenta’s negligee.
“The big question is always: are the sequins blue, purple, or iridescent?” Harris says. “Personally, I lean toward iridescent.”
When asked why such meticulous attention to detail is so captivating, Albin-Frey laughs.
“Many of us are neurodivergent,” they share. “For those of us, repeatedly performing a beloved film is genuinely comforting and enjoyable.”
Since 2013, the Michigan Rocky Horror Preservation Society has met regularly, joining countless other groups worldwide in performing Rocky Horror with remarkable precision.
Timothy Chen Allen
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Timothy Chen Allen
The film’s chaotic storyline follows a prim young couple who find themselves trapped in a castle inhabited by eccentric, otherworldly beings. At the helm is Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a flamboyant mad scientist clad in sparkling corsets and heels. The film’s unpredictable romantic entanglements keep audiences guessing who will pair up next.
“Rocky Horror offers meaningful queer representation,” says Jessica Harris. “It’s also a celebration of drag culture.”
Audience participation has evolved over the decades. While early shows sometimes included offensive slurs, today’s performances foster an inclusive and welcoming environment, notes 19-year-old Ember Dupont-Funk.
“Growing up in a conservative Christian town, Rocky Horror was the first time I saw myself reflected on screen,” he shares.
The Michigan Rocky Horror Preservation Society’s bi-monthly performances feature themed events such as Mardi Gras, Pride celebrations, Hamilton nights, and even puppet shows.
Timothy Chen Allen
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Timothy Chen Allen
Dupont-Funk became a member of the Michigan Rocky Horror Preservation Society immediately after turning 18. “Though the film feels dated, it remains a vital piece of queer cultural history,” he says. “I don’t think it’s a masterpiece, but I adore it because it’s delightfully flawed-just like me and many of my favorite people here.”
For him, the Rocky Horror community is a sanctuary where creativity and acceptance thrive, and where being different is embraced.
“A world without volunteerism, community, and social gatherings isn’t one I want to live in,” Dupont-Funk reflects. “Sadly, those things seem to be fading these days.”
But inside this theater, the spirit is alive and well. Fans sell toast in the lobby and enthusiastically dance to “The Time Warp.” To them, The Rocky Horror Picture Show defies its 50-year milestone-it remains eternally relevant and cherished.
