Meet Svengoolie at Elgin Hemmens' 'Rocky Horror' show
Adults can start their own Halloween celebration Saturday, Oct. 30 with an evening full of “spooktacular” fun at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way in Elgin. Start the evening with a special appearance by WCIU's own “Master of Scare-emonies” Svengoolie, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the lobby of the Hemmens. Svengoolie, Rich Koz, will be available to sign autographs and share some of his comic genius with the crowd. Koz has spent the last 15 years as Chicago's favorite television host as Svengoolie, winning seven Emmys along the way.
At 8 p.m., The Hemmens will present “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” an interactive moviegoing experience. Follow the adventures of newly-engaged couple Janet and Brad as they arrive at the castle of mad scientist, Dr. Frank-N-Furter, in this campy; on-screen spoof of the old horror movie genre. The couple's uninvited appearance causes problems for gender-bending Frank and his bizarre “guests,” inciting a series of outrageous solutions. Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon star in the 1975 cult musical.
Be sure to dress in your finest Halloween attire, and enter to win great prizes in the costume contest taking place in the lobby of the Hemmens. Costumes can be themed with either “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” or any other Halloween theme.
Tickets are $7 and can be purchased at hemmens.org or by calling the box office at (847) 931-5900.
Stay downtown and visit the Psychosis Haunted House, just a short walk from Hemmens, at 200 N. Spring St. Hours are 7 p.m. to midnight and admission is $15. A percentage of the proceeds from the haunted house will go to help local Elgin charities and animal shelters. For information, visit www.psychosishauntedhouse.com.
Get more use out of your Halloween costume by visiting downtown area restaurants and bars after the show. Many businesses will be featuring lots of specials and Halloween activities throughout the night as part of “Nightmare on Chicago Street” theme. For more information, visit downtownelgin.org.