The Newtowne Players will screen The Rocky Horror Picture Show twice this weekend at Three Notch Theatre to mark the film’s 50th anniversary, offering audiences a chance to engage in the production’s signature interactive traditions.
The screenings are set for Friday, October 31, 2025, at midnight, and Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 8 p.m., at the theater located at 21744 South Coral Drive in Lexington Park. Tickets cost $20 for adult general admission, with optional prop bags available for $10 to facilitate audience participation. Reservations can be made online through SimpleTix.
Directed by Jim Sharman and released in 1975, the film follows college students Brad Majors, played by Barry Bostwick, and Janet Weiss, played by Susan Sarandon, who seek shelter during a storm at the castle of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, portrayed by Tim Curry. The scientist, described in the script as a “sweet transvestite from Transsexual, Transylvania,” hosts a gathering that introduces the pair to his servants, including the butler Riff Raff, played by Richard O’Brien, and a motorcycle enthusiast played by Meat Loaf. The evening culminates in the unveiling of Rocky, a laboratory-created specimen played by Peter Hinwood, amid musical numbers and dance sequences.
The Newtowne Players, a nonprofit community theater group in St. Mary’s County, organized the event to align with nationwide commemorations of the film’s milestone. Formed in 2003, the group converted the former Lexington Park Memorial Library into Three Notch Theatre, a venue that now hosts annual seasons of plays and musicals. Its mission centers on expanding access to performing arts in Southern Maryland by involving volunteers in roles from acting to technical support, while delivering affordable live entertainment to local residents.
What began as a modest adaptation of a 1973 stage musical has evolved into a cultural staple, with midnight screenings emerging in the late 1970s at theaters like the Waverly in New York City. By the 1980s, the film’s draw lay in its audience rituals, where viewers shout scripted responses, or “callbacks,” during dialogue pauses and deploy props at key moments. For instance, rice is thrown during the wedding scene to mimic rainfall, and toast is launched when the characters propose a toast. These practices, detailed in fan guides, vary by location but emphasize communal energy over strict adherence. At Three Notch Theatre, organizers encourage costumes representing characters like Frank-N-Furter’s glittering attire or Rocky’s boxing shorts, though the rating remains R for mature themes including sexual content and language.
For attendees new to the format, known as “virgins” in Rocky Horror parlance, the experience unfolds as a blend of film viewing and live performance. Callbacks often include humorous retorts, such as responding to the phrase “A very pleasure to meet you” with “Shut up!” during introductions. Prop bags sold at the event contain essentials like newspaper for reading scenes, a rubber glove for a medical examination sequence, confetti for the finale, and playing cards to toss at a poker reference. These items, priced at $10, support the theater’s operations while immersing participants in the 100-minute runtime.
The Newtowne Players have screened the film in past seasons, including a 2018 weekend run that drew local crowds for its late-night format. This year’s edition fits into a broader wave of 2025 tributes, including a convention in Los Angeles on September 27 and a New York event on November 3 featuring original cast members. In Southern Maryland, such gatherings underscore the region’s theater ecosystem, where groups like the Newtowne Players collaborate with venues to host accessible events.
Three Notch Theatre’s 200-seat space, equipped with basic projection for film events, has staged diverse works from mysteries to musicals since its inception. Recent seasons included “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” in 2023, an interactive whodunit that mirrored Rocky Horror’s participatory style. The group’s volunteer-driven model invites involvement from script reading to lighting, fostering skills transferable to professional pursuits. For Southern Maryland residents, these opportunities counterbalance the area’s focus on aviation and defense industries by nurturing creative outlets.
Participation guidelines stress respect for fellow viewers, with theaters enforcing rules against disruptive behavior to maintain the event’s inclusive appeal. First-timers might prepare by reviewing online callback lists, available on fan sites, though improvisation remains part of the draw. The film’s enduring popularity stems from its blend of science fiction, horror, and rock opera elements, scripted by O’Brien, who also composed the score. Songs like “The Time Warp” and “Sweet Transvestite” have entered pop culture, covered by artists from The Damned to Glee casts.
As Lexington Park grows as a hub for cultural programming, events like this screening highlight Three Notch’s role in blending national phenomena with local flavor. The theater’s location along South Coral Drive places it near everyday landmarks like shopping centers, making it a convenient stop for evening outings. With tickets moving steadily online, the Newtowne Players anticipate full houses, continuing a tradition that has defined midnight cinema for generations.
In St. Mary’s County, where community theaters number fewer than a dozen, the Newtowne Players stand out for their consistent output—typically six mainstage shows per year—while keeping prices under $25. This approach aligns with Maryland’s broader push for arts funding through the state arts council, which allocated $1.2 million to regional groups in fiscal 2025. For those attending, the post-screening vibe often extends to informal gatherings, where fans share stories of prior viewings, reinforcing bonds in a region known for its tight-knit naval communities.
The screenings conclude a month of Halloween-themed activities across Southern Maryland, from trunk-or-treats to haunted tours, but Rocky Horror’s mix of camp and camaraderie sets it apart. Organizers note that while the film critiques conformity through its eccentric narrative, the real draw remains the shared absurdity of shouting at a screen in a darkened room.
