THE MIDLAND THEATRE HOSTS THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, WITH A LIVE PERFORMANCE FROM COLUMBUS SHADOW CAST THE FISHNET MAFIA
Yes, THAT Fishnet Mafia. Costumes encouraged, Fan Prop Pack included with every ticket, one night only on OUR historic stage, Friday, October 9 at 8:00 PM. Tickets on sale now and going fast.
NEWARK, Ohio (September, 2026) -- The Midland Theatre is bringing in one of the longest-running Rocky Horror shadow casts in the country to turn its historic screen into a full live show. On Friday, October 9 at 8:00 PM, The Midland will host a full callback screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, complete with costumes, call-and-response lines, a Midland-branded Fan Prop Pack included with every ticket, and a live performance from The Fishnet Mafia.
Few films carry a story like this one. When Rocky Horror opened in U.S. theaters in September 1975, it flopped. Then, in April 1976, a midnight screening at a small theater in New York City changed everything. Audiences started talking back to the screen. They started dressing as the characters. Within a few years, fans across the country were forming their own costumed troupes to act out the film live in front of the screen, a tradition still known today as a shadow cast. Five decades later, Rocky Horror holds the record as the longest-running theatrical release in film history, and it is still playing in theaters around the world.
The Midland’s screening will feature a live performance from The Fishnet Mafia, Columbus’s own Rocky Horror shadow cast, performing this show since 1976, one of the longest continuously running productions of its kind in the country. The group will act out the film live in full costume in front of the screen throughout the night.
Bringing the troupe to Newark is a homecoming of sorts for cast member Cora Helton, who performs under the stage name Cora Mandragora. Helton grew up in Newark, and this troupe has been her creative home for years. She was the one who made this happen, reaching out, making the case, and pulling the pieces together to bring The Fishnet Mafia to The Midland. “This cast is my family, and Rocky Horror has been my love for years. Getting to bring that love home to Newark means more than I can put into words,” said Helton.
The Fishnet Mafia’s performance is made possible by Presenting Sponsor The Law Offices of Christopher R. Orr. “Rocky Horror is a unique experience that invites people to unabashedly express themselves and join in the fun. I’m proud to support The Midland and The Fishnet Mafia in bringing that experience to Newark,” said Christopher Orr.
Every ticket includes a Fan Prop Pack built specifically for the Midland’s historic house, with props tied to specific musical and scene cues throughout the film. The pack is supported by three additional local sponsors: Hey Babes Bakery, Franks & Sammies, and SPARC, Licking County’s LGBTQ+ community organization. Each sponsor is tied directly to a prop and a specific moment in the film. In true Rocky Horror tradition, first-time attendees will be welcomed as “virgins,” a badge of honor at any screening.
“This is a night built for people who want to be part of the show, not just watch it,” said Maryann Crist, Executive Director of The Midland Theatre. “Rocky Horror has survived fifty years because audiences made it their own, one shouted line and one thrown prop at a time. Our sponsors have taken that spirit and run with it, and watching this whole community show up around one night has been a real reminder of why we do this. There is nothing else quite like it.”
“This event connects so beautifully with the spirit of our Pride Festival. We would love to see this become an annual tradition for all of us,” said Avalee Carver, Executive Director of SPARC.
Tickets are $20.00 and include the base ticket, the Fan Prop Pack, and a venue cleaning fee, all included in the one price. Tickets are on sale now at midlandtheatre.org/rockyhorror and are going fast. Guests are encouraged to grab their seats soon.
About The Midland Theatre
The Midland Theatre, Newark’s cultural cornerstone since 1928, stands as a testament to the enduring power of live performance and community connection. Located at 36 North Park Place in Newark, Ohio, this historic Spanish Revival theatre has been enriching the lives of audiences for nearly a century. Originally opening its doors on December 20, 1928, The Midland served as Newark’s premier entertainment destination for 50 years before closing in 1978. Following an $8.5 million restoration by The Longaberger Company completed in 2000, The Midland reopened as a vibrant performing arts venue operated by the Newark Midland Theatre Association, a local volunteer non-profit organization. Today, The Midland continues its mission of making high-quality live performance accessible to the entire community through its “Arts for All” philosophy.
The Midland Theatre is supported by the Ohio Arts Council with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence, and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.
The Midland Theatre
36 North Park Place | Newark, OH 43055
740.345.5483 | yourfriends@midlandtheatre.org | midlandtheatre.org
Facebook: @TheMidlandTheatre | Instagram: @midlandtheatre
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