Twenty-two performers, all unpaid volunteers, have led to the longest running shadowcast of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” in South Florida. They’re self-proclaimed misfits who have welcomed the South Florida LGBTQ+ community for 22 years.
The Faithful Handymen, who get their name from a song in the film, will cap off Pride Month at Savor Cinema in Fort Lauderdale, with a live performance on June 28. They emphasize self-acceptance in a world that makes little room for outsiders.
“We’re a bunch of misfits,” Amanda Levine says, the Faithful Handymen’s cast manager. “And we know we’re not the only misfits out there… ‘Rocky Horror’ gives you a place when you don’t have a place to go.”
The Faithful Handymen spent 12 years at Flippers Theater in Hollywood before moving to the Gateway in Fort Lauderdale. There they found a place they could call home for the next decade, until a schedule of three shows a month encouraged the day-job holding group to permanently move.
They would find their new home at Savor Cinema, where The Faithful Handymen take the stage once each quarter creating a safe space for queer expression.
“We offer a safe haven,” says JLynne Herrington, who often plays Columbia as well as helping with audience engagement. “Dr. Frank-N-Furter encourages the visitors to give in, explore, and not feel guilty about being honest with oneself.”
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” follows a newly engaged couple whose car breaks down on the way to visit a friend, leading them to a castle ruled by Dr. Frank-N-Furter, an alien mad scientist in drag, who unveils his latest creation, a muscular man made for pleasure, assisted by a crew of eccentric alien servants. The film satirizes 1950s and 1960s sci-fi B-movies.
The Faithful Handymen perform as a “shadowcast,” acting out the film in costume as it plays behind them, a tradition for the film that began in Los Angeles in 1976 and has grown nationally.
“A great shadowcast has the ability to bring the audience in and make everyone feel welcome,” adds Rhianna Jenkins, The Faithful Handymen’s pre-show host.
Herrington, Jenkins and Levine agree that “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is as relevant in today’s political climate as it was in 1975 during the film’s release.
“No one within the framework of ‘Rocky’s’ world takes a second glance at what some in the real world still call alternative,” Herrington elaborates. “So many of the goals of Pride are serious and rightly so, but we also need a safe space to let down our hair, let loose, and have fun.”
Jenkins adds, “The biggest effect that ‘Rocky Horror’ has is just providing a brief moment of respite from all of the hate and fear mongering.”
Because of the film’s openly LGBTQ+ characters, the cast regularly switches roles regardless of gender, with drag being encouraged for the Pride performance.
“Some of my cast members have played every character- they are my jack of all trades.” explains Levine. “We don’t care who you are or where you come from… as long as you’re treating everybody right, you’ll be treated right…That alone speaks for itself, especially when it comes to Pride.”
Levine mentions that for their Pride Month performance, she also encourages the cast to embellish their characters’ costumes with their own pride flags, adding that Dr. Frank-N-Furter will be wearing rainbow armbands and tassels.
“The sexual awakening and the representation of others outside the ‘norm’ will always be helpful for someone to experience the essence of Pride,” says Zachery Marder who plays Riff Raff.
“‘Rocky Horror’ is, at its most basic, a queer film,” adds Jenkins, “And I think one of the greatest points of success is that it never makes the queer characters the punchline.”
Tickets for the event can be found on Savor Cinema’s website. The cast and crew encourage audiences to come in early for drinks on the patio, wear costumes, and follow along with call-backs and singing.
Levine says audience engagement is what makes the show special and brings people together.
“No matter what, even as years go on, there’s always going to be a part of the ‘Rocky’ community that will continue on,” Levine reflects. “It may not be The Faithful Handymen, it may not be Broward County, but there’s always going to be a connection to ‘Rocky Horror’ because it brings people together.”
