Typically when people think about “cults”, images of group worships, secret ceremonies, and even satanic followings come to mind. However, when people think about cult classics, a slightly more innocent image is portrayed. Cult classics are films or plays that have a cult following, are largely obscure with the mainstream audiences, and are often ironically enjoyed. Movies or plays that go down in infamy as being a cult classic are often enjoyed in a way that makes fun of the production while cherishing the movie’s original plot and dialogue. Recently, Tallahassee has been under a so-called “cult storm” as classics such as The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Monty Python’s Spamalot have made their debut around town.
To all of the virgins and sl*ts out there, it comes to no surprise that The Rocky Horror Picture Show is high up on the list of “Top 50 Cult Classics” by Entertainment Weekly. While the show originally tanked in the box offices when released in 1975, this picture show gained notoriety as a midnight movie when audiences began to be interactive with the showing. Cheap Thrills Tallahassee recently hosted showings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Movies 8 where they hired a shadow cast to act out scenes from the movie while the movie was projected on the big screen. One of the popular trademarks of the show is that “virgins”, those in attendance whom have never been to a live screening before, will lose their virginity in an embarrassing or often sexual act. Tallahassee’s showings lived up to standard as virgins were called upon to sing “Old MacDonald: With a Twist.” Instead of animal noises such as moo, moo or oink, oink, the virgins were called upon to make animal sex sounds. The screening was vivacious, hilarious, and ultimately encapsulated everything a cult classic showing should be.
The cults do not stop here for Tallahassee, however. As part of FSU’s Seven Days of Opening Nights, Monty Python’s Spamalot is being presented by the School of Theatre. Running from February 14 to March 2, the Tallahassee population has many opportunities to catch a showing. The School of Theatre describes this production as a “musical comedy based on the renowned film Monty Python and the Holy Grail [and] is an irreverent parody of the Arthurian Legend and Broadway itself.” This current season is much more comedic than past seasons, allowing audiences the opportunity to laugh at the casts’ antics on stage. Monty Python’s Spamalot features incredibly exquisite costumes, beautiful musical numbers, talented dance routines, as well as a horribly wonderful comedic value. Other events presented during the Seven Days of Opening Nights include PRISM, The Irish Rovers, Itzhak Perlman, Chanticleer: An Orchestra of Voices, Jonny Lang, Becca Stevens Band, and the Spring Quartet.
You do not have to join a cult to enjoy these cult classics. Unlike the gloom of Tallahassee’s weather on the rainy days, this cult classic storm is one that requires no umbrella, but should rather be taken in with all of its glory.