Nell Campbell Dazzles Davenport’s Rhythm City Casino with ‘Rocky Horror’ Screening

It's hard to believe the iconic musical The Rocky Horror Picture Show turns 49-years-old this year. Seldom-seen during its initial theatrical run in 1975, the film and its marvelous soundtrack has become one of the most beloved musicals of all-time thanks to its decades-long success on the midnight circuit. Fans show up in droves to shout clapbacks at the screen, gleefully throw toast, toilet paper, and playing cards at certain points, and meticulously craft costumes of their favorite characters.

Rhythm City Casino in Davenport, IA hosted a wonderful, multi-layered screening of the film just in time for Halloween. The over-three hour event featured a costume contest and a screening of the film accompanied by a "shadow-cast" reenacting the events of the feature on stage. Amplifying the fun was the fact it was hosted by Rocky Horror's very own (Little) Nell Campbell, who plays Columbia in the film.

My girlfriend, Catherine, and I are huge Rocky Horror fans, so we weren't going to miss the opportunity to attend the show and meet Campbell herself. Prior to the show, Campbell took the time to meet with VIP patrons, sign autographs, and playfully interact with fans who went the extra mile to have a special moment with her.

Catherine took it upon herself to don her Columbia costume, right down to modeling her makeup after the icon. Campbell was blown away by her outfit, even naming her "her favorite Columbia" at the show during the costume contest. I came in my usual attire, a plain gray shirt and gray sweatpants. I got the what-for from Campbell:

"F*** you for putting in no effort at all!"

It's always nerve-wracking to meet celebrities because you never know the kind of interaction you're going to get. They have to be cognizant that while they themselves might not remember the interaction after it takes place, that fan/those fans will remember it for the rest of their lives. Campbell understood the assignment. She couldn't have been sweeter and more appreciative of her adoring fanbase.

Following the costume contest, and an enthusiastic intro by Nell Campbell (which had her humorously flubbing the location, referring to the city as "Davenport, Ohio"), it was time to start the show. The screening of Rocky Horror was accompanied by a shadow-cast performance in the foreground of the stage, where a large gaggle of actors portrayed Brad, Janet, Dr. Frank N. Furter, Magenta, Columbia, and other characters both small and significant.

Kudos to the Rhythm City Casino staff for putting on a fun and massively entertaining screening that felt like the perfect complement to the Halloween season. Their Event Center proved to be an outstanding setting conducive to the hundreds that showed for a ravishing evening.

See more photos from Rhythm City's Rocky Horror screening below, and check out a full list of events at Rhythm City Casino here!