A humorous homage to B horror movies is coming to Port Arthur when the Port Arthur Little Theater presents a special production of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” this weekend.

Showtimes are 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Theater, 4701 Jimmy Johnson Blvd., in Port Arthur.

Director Jeff Courts said the first-time production of what has become a cult classic has been exciting and should thrill audiences in Port Arthur just as it has been doing for years all around the country.

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is 40 years old and even the movie has the record of the longest premiere of any movie. It is still being done as a midnight movie to this day,” Courts said.

The stage version has been in production almost every year since it came out in 1973, with the exception of two or three years, Courts said.

The film’s original stars were Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick.

The film’s story centers around a young engaged couple whose car breaks down in the rain near a castle where they attempt to call for help.

There, the couple finds a castle occupied by elaborately costumed strangers celebrating an annual convention.

They soon learn the head of the house is Frank N. Furter, an apparent mad scientist who is actually an alien transvestite who creates a living muscle man in his laboratory. The couple is seduced separately by the mad scientist and eventually released by the servants who take control.

In the years since the film’s original release, the campy production has inspired audience members to come dressed in costume, and to participate.

Among the props in the fan’s bag is a bottle of bubbles to blow during the wedding. Audience members also have vocal responses that have become as much as part of the show as the original script.

“It is definitely a participation show,” Courts said.

The director’s son, Hunter Courts, 20, plays the mad doctor Frank N. Furter, and comes to the part with years of experience.

“He’s been performing on the stage since he was 4,” Courts said.

Hunter Courts has had the lead in numerous musicals, has played Shrek in “Shrek the Musical,” Chef Louie in “The Little Mermaid,” and the Nazi tenor in “The Producers,” just to name a few.

Court’s daughter Haleigh, 21, is also in the show playing the part of Usherette/Magenta. Like her brother, she has been involved in theater since she was 3 or 4, her father said.

Courts said this is the first time he has directed “Rocky Horror.”

“I have had a lot of fun with the production,” Courts said. “This is a great cast, very motivated. They have been a lot of fun to direct. They are very talented. I gave them the tools and they put on a great show.”

Matthew Phillips and Taylor Van Devender play the parts of the stranded couple: Brad Majors and Janet Weiss.

Other cast members incude: Henry Phillips, narrator; Mark Pyland, Riff Raff; Jessica Bean, Columbia; Gannon Miller, Rocky; Jay Jacobs, EddieDr. Scott; and Phiannon Pletcher, Amy Manders, Rachel Horton, Cesiley Cloteaux, Peter Cao, and Joseph Jordan, phantoms/Transylvanians.

The production is not part of the PALT membership season.

Admission is $25 and includes a bag of props to help the audience be involved in the show.

Anyone under the age of 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Tickets can be reserved by calling 409-727-PALT or only at www.palt.org.

E-mail: sherry.koonce@panews.com

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