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Tampa Theatre’s Halloween lineup includes ‘Rocky Horror,’ podcast stars

The popular ‘Last Podcast on the Left’ and Barry Bostwick from ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ are new to A Nightmare on Franklin Street.
 
From left: Tim Curry as Frank N. Furter, Barry Bostwick as Brad Majors and Susan Sarandon as Janet Weiss in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show."
From left: Tim Curry as Frank N. Furter, Barry Bostwick as Brad Majors and Susan Sarandon as Janet Weiss in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." [ 20th Century Fox ]
Published Sept. 10, 2019|Updated Sept. 10, 2019

Tampa Theatre’s annual Halloween series, A Nightmare on Franklin Street, will return this year with more films, tours and events. And for the first time, two “spine-chilling” live shows — from popular horror-comedy podcast The Last Podcast on the Left and Barry Bostwick, the star of The Rocky Horror Picture Show — are part of the tradition.

The Last Podcast on the Left, featuring hosts Ben Kissel, Marcus Parks and Henry Zebrowski, will bring its live version to the historic movie house on Oct. 18.

The show finds laughs in the dark side of humanity on a range of topics, from werewolves to war crimes. It pulls more than 1 million downloads per episode, with the back catalog drawing 11 million downloads a month.

In addition to true-crime stories and news of the weird, The Last Podcast on the Left covers interviews with authors and paranormal-research figures. Tickets range from $29.50 to $39.50, $150 for the VIP meet and greet.

From left: Marcus Parks, Henry Zebrowski and Ben Kissel host "The Last Podcast on the Left."
From left: Marcus Parks, Henry Zebrowski and Ben Kissel host "The Last Podcast on the Left." [ STEVIE CHRIS | Last Podcast on the Left ]

Then at 7 p.m. and midnight Oct. 19, Tampa Theatre is scheduled to host a live performance of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the 1975 comedy musical set in the mad scientist home of Dr. Frank N. Furter. Barry Bostwick, who starred as Brad and went on to play the mayor on the sitcom Spin City, will give a preshow talk about his experience making the cult hit movie. Tickets are $26, $101 for the VIP meet and greet.

Other shows planned for A Nightmare on Franklin Street:

  • Phantasmagoria X — “Reckoning” (7 p.m. Oct. 26): Dubbed “one of the most unique theater troupes in the country” by Good Day Atlanta, Phantasmagoria showcases their unique brand of “whimsical macabre” terrors. The evocative troupe of storytellers, dancers and chorus embarks on dark journeys through literary tales of terror, horrific folk stories, legends and myths. The show is recommended for ages 8 and older. Tickets are $26.
  • Ghosts of Tampa Theatre Tour: The 75-minute tour kicks off in the lobby, offering a balcony-to-backstage look at what has been called one of the most haunted buildings in town. New this year is an add-on paranormal investigation experience that allows 25 guests to stay at Tampa Theatre after the Sunday evening tours from 10:30 p.m. to midnight Oct. 20 and 27. The group will review previously collected video, photo and audio evidence of the movie house’s spirit activity. The experience will also use professional equipment to investigate alongside researchers from Genesis Paranormal Services. Ghost tour tickets are $15, free for members. The paranormal add-on costs $25, $20 for members. Tours will take place Oct. 19 to 31 on select nights.

For more information on the series, visit tampatheatre.org.