SUFFERN, N.Y. — Something strange was happening at the historic Lafayette Theatre on Halloween night. Costumed characters were gathering outside, excited moviegoers were making their way through the doors, and inside, a 102-year-old movie palace was preparing to welcome visitors into a world where almost anything could happen.
The occasion was a special Halloween presentation of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, accompanied by a live performance from the Apoca-Lips shadow cast.
The 1975 cult classic, now 51 years old, has become a Halloween tradition for generations of fans. But this was no ordinary night at the movies. The audience was invited to become part of the entertainment, joining performers in a celebration that blurred the line between the screen, the stage and the auditorium.
And what better setting than the 102-year-old Lafayette?
With its ornate architecture, grand auditorium and colorful assortment of costumed visitors, entering the theater felt a little like stepping into Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s castle.
Beyond the auditorium doors awaited a wonderfully bizarre world of outrageous characters and unexpected surprises.
A Halloween Tradition Comes Alive
As I made my way inside, the excitement was already building.
A long line of moviegoers stretched through the lobby, while the concessions stand and merchandise table were attracting plenty of attention.
The employees certainly had their hands full. I hope Ari remembers to give them a treat for their hard work!
Meanwhile, the parade of Halloween costumes continued.
There were familiar movie characters, witches and plenty of imaginative creations. I even spotted Dick Tracy, who apparently decided to investigate what was happening at the Lafayette.
I’m not sure what his investigation uncovered, but he certainly picked an interesting night to show up.
For anyone unfamiliar with The Rocky Horror Picture Show, this isn’t the kind of movie where you quietly settle into your seat, finish your popcorn and politely applaud when the credits roll.
Not even close.
The audience talks back to the screen, shouts familiar responses and participates in rituals that have become part of the film’s appeal.
The evening included a costume contest, red-carpet photographs and prop bags containing newspapers, playing cards, party hats, gloves and party whistles.
At designated moments during the film, the props came out and the audience enthusiastically joined in.
Before the movie began, Mama Amanda and Magickal Mike, the evening’s masters of ceremonies, helped warm up the crowd, encouraging audience participation and preparing everyone for the unusual entertainment ahead.
Then the Apoca-Lips shadow cast took over, performing live in front of the screen and recreating scenes from the film.
The result was part cinema, part live theater and part organized chaos.
Behind the Scenes With Apoca-Lips
Before the performance, I had an opportunity to speak with several members of Apoca-Lips.
What struck me most was their enthusiasm. These weren’t simply performers putting on costumes and repeating familiar scenes. They genuinely enjoyed bringing their own personalities and creativity to the production.
Some had been involved with the group for years, while others were relatively new. Several talked about portraying different characters and exploring roles quite different from their everyday personalities.
One performer acknowledged being shy at times and explained that appearing in the production provided an opportunity to step outside their comfort zone.
Others spoke about the freedom to interpret their characters, change roles and interact directly with moviegoers.
Among those I interviewed was Jake Groundwater, who performs under the stage name Vespyre and portrayed a Transylvanian.
He described how the performers break the fourth wall, moving beyond the traditional separation between actors and spectators to engage directly with the audience.
And the audience is hardly expected to remain silent. Fans shout familiar responses at the screen, while the performers encourage the interaction and sometimes become part of the crowd themselves.
As one cast member explained, the audience accounts for a substantial part of the experience.
Watching the performance, it was easy to understand why. The movie may be the same each time, but the combination of performers and audience members makes every presentation a little different.
Mama Amanda: Mezmerizing
One of the evening’s most enthusiastic participants was Amanda Fuller, known to Apoca-Lips audiences as Mama Amanda.
Fuller, a longtime member of Apoca-Lips who has served as a performer, director and master of ceremonies, joined Magickal Mike in welcoming the Halloween audience. Her involvement with the group spans approximately 16 years.
When I asked about her affection for Rocky Horror, she joked that she’d been watching the movie since she was in the womb and came into the world already dancing the Time Warp.
Some people are born with a silver spoon. Apparently, others arrive knowing the choreography.
Fuller has portrayed multiple characters over the years and spoke about feeling comfortable wearing the costumes associated with the production, including a corset.
But she emphasized that the audience is essential to the experience. She described the Lafayette crowd as particularly friendly and energetic, and considered the theater’s Gothic atmosphere an ideal setting for Rocky Horror.
The group’s founder, Michael Felleman, has helped guide Apoca-Lips over the years.
The performers also paid tribute to Tim Curry’s unforgettable portrayal of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, which helped make The Rocky Horror Picture Show a cult phenomenon. With his familiar character appearing on the screen, onstage and among the costumed audience, it almost felt as though a little of Curry’s mischievous spirit was making its presence known.
And on Halloween night, who could rule out the possibility?
A Theater Full of Memories
Among the audience members I interviewed was a woman who introduced herself as T. Dressed as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, the character made famous by Tim Curry, T was enjoying the festivities with friends.
She told me she’d been coming to the Lafayette since she was approximately nine or ten years old. She remembered seeing Bambi and Titanic there.
That’s quite a cinematic journey. From a beloved Disney deer to a doomed ocean liner, and now a Halloween evening featuring the unforgettable Frank-N-Furter.
But what interested me most wasn’t simply the variety of films she’d seen. It was why she’d returned. She wanted to support the Lafayette Theatre.
For her, the building represented more than a place to watch movies. It was connected to childhood memories and years of entertainment in her own community.
Looking around the auditorium, I noticed that the crowd included younger moviegoers, longtime fans and plenty of adults who had clearly been enjoying Rocky Horror for years. Nobody seemed particularly concerned about acting their age.
Perhaps that’s part of the film’s enduring appeal.
Ari’s wife, Clair Benmosché, photographed the event and mingled with guests throughout the evening. Her comments afterward captured that sense of community.
“Halloween and Rocky Horror are a perfect match for The Lafayette,” she said. “Seeing hundreds of people come together in costume, laughing, cheering, and celebrating in our historic theater reminded us why community events like this remain so special.”
A Conversation With Ari — and an Unexpected Guest
During the festivities, I caught up with Lafayette Theatre owner Ari Benmosché. I asked him why The Rocky Horror Picture Show was such a perfect choice for Halloween at the Lafayette.
His answer required only one word: “Tradition.”
Sometimes the shortest answers make the strongest points.
Ari recalled growing up with the Helen Hayes Theatre in Nyack and the tradition of going to the movies, including screenings of classic films. For him, preserving those special moviegoing experiences is part of what makes the Lafayette so important.
And Rocky Horror has quite a history in Rockland County.
Years ago, the Nyack Cinema, later known as Cinema East, presented The Rocky Horror Picture Show every Saturday at midnight. The theater eventually became the Helen Hayes Performing Arts Center, a familiar name in Rockland’s entertainment history.
For longtime local moviegoers, those Saturday midnight screenings were part of a tradition that extended well beyond an ordinary trip to the movies. Now, decades later, the Lafayette is helping keep that spirit alive.
Our conversation also took an amusing turn. While I was interviewing Ari, he was arranging a particularly frightening Halloween figure seated in a chair. He invited me to sit beside it.
I’ve conducted interviews in some unusual settings, but sitting next to a creepy Halloween character while discussing the future of a historic movie theater was a new one. Fortunately, my silent companion didn’t interrupt.
Ari’s commitment to the Lafayette continues a family effort that began when his father, Robert Benmosché, purchased the theater in 2001.
The Lafayette, which opened in 1924, remains a reminder of an era when going to the movies was itself a special occasion.
Ari took over the theater’s operations in 2013, continuing the family’s efforts to preserve the landmark and offer audiences memorable experiences. And Halloween night was certainly one of them.
To Be Continued
As the evening drew to a close, I found myself thinking about the different generations gathered inside the Lafayette. Some had grown up attending movies there. Others were discovering the theater for the first time.
The performers had their own reasons for returning to Rocky Horror: to explore different characters, entertain an enthusiastic audience or simply enjoy being part of something unusual.
Amanda Fuller also discussed Repo! The Genetic Opera as a possible December event, while both she and Ari mentioned Little Shop of Horrors, suggesting that the Lafayette’s interest in special moviegoing experiences extends beyond Halloween.
But perhaps Ari had already summed up the evening better than anyone. Tradition.
For 102 years, the Lafayette has welcomed generations of moviegoers. For 51 years, The Rocky Horror Picture Show has entertained audiences who refuse to let a good time become a thing of the past.
On Halloween night, those two traditions came together. And judging by the laughter, enthusiastic performers and audience participation, neither showed any signs of slowing down.
After all, some traditions are simply too much fun to disappear. And at the Lafayette Theatre, there’s always room for another Time Warp.
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