Review: SHOCK-TOBERFEST in Oneonta, New York a Scary Success

It's noon on October 14th, 2023 at the Foothills Performing Arts Center. The crowd isn't quite ready to arrive, and vendors are feverishly loading in their wares. The place is decorated like every fiend's dream - or nightmare - depending on how you frame it. The energy is palpable in the venue's atrium, and it's just the beginning.

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The Weird, the Wonderful, the Horrific

This was a very carefully curated event, and it definitely showed in the level of artistry and concept delivered by everyone involved. At 3pm the doors opened to the general public. Vendors were selling everything from steampunk garb to crystals to haunted tie dyes and unique pottery. Tarot card readings were done behind a tapestry. Zombies were being wiped out on the huge screen. Everywhere you looked, something was happening, and the crowd was building up along with anticipation for what was to come.

Performance Everywhere You Look

There was no lack of visual stimulus at this event. The atrium saw burlesque performances, a snake charmer, and an extremely spirited drag performance. In the Bettiol Theater, screenings of locally produced films "The Monkey", a Stephen King adaptation, and "Ouija Witch" were taking place. As these films wound down, the crowd began to fill with performers from the Rocky Horror Picture Show cast, mingling with the crowd, warming them up for the headline performance of the evening.

It's Just A Jump to the Left...

After a long wait and tons of antici.......pation, the Rocky Horror Picture Show got underway by local cast Inside Insanity. The show started with the reading of the rules presented as stand up comedy complete with well meaning hecklers. From there, a traditional Rocky Horror newbie initiation session commenced on stage complete with a rendition of "Cotton Eyed Joe" and the strangest performance of our national anthem ever delivered. What an absolute hoot all around. The show started with a burlesque dance to the opening theme while audience participation lines were yelled with spirit at the screen and didn't stop until curtain call. Toilet paper, foam toast, and cards were flying through the air at various times during the evening. Smiles and laughter permeated throughout the entire affair. The actors on stage did an amazing job of faithfully mimicking the film while putting their own spin on their characters. Inside Insanity will be presenting an encore performance at the Worcester Wieting Theatre on October 28th at 7pm.

All in all, SHOCK-TOBERFEST was an absolute blast! Mark your calendars, it will return on October 12th, 2024.