BY SANTI GABINO JR.

Get ready to dust off your most fabulous frock and step into your stilettos because, at 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Oct. 19 and 20, the iconic cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show is making a triumphant return to captivate, seduce and enchant audiences at the historic Athens Theatre in delightful Downtown DeLand.

The film’s narrative revolves around the misadventures of a newly engaged and undeniably innocent couple, Brad and Janet, who find themselves stranded on the side of the road and seek refuge in the nearby castle of the eccentric, yet magnetic, Dr. Frank-N-Furter. As the tale unfolds, it veers into wild and cheeky territory, but it’s a fabulous kind of chaos where “queer”iosity and outrageous fun prevail!

Baldwin describes the experience well: “Rocky is more than a show, it is an experience that invites the audience into a racy, taboo world untouched by sensitivity and political correctness. In the greatest of ways, nothing is sacred; we laugh and poke fun at everything and everyone (oftentimes in ways that might make a sailor blush). That said, the show is all about shocking fun, no arsenal, no venom, just a true opportunity to laugh and let your freak flag fly.”

The evening will kick off with a pre-show featuring DeLand Pride and The Absent Friends, hosted by the charismatic Baldwin. This will be followed by a screening of the timeless 1975 20th Century Fox film, drag performances by DeLand Pride, a live shadow cast with costumed actors mirroring the movie as it unfolds on the screen, and ample opportunities for audience participation, complete with callbacks and prop bags.

Audience members are strongly encouraged to arrive in costume (let your imagination run wild, show us what you’ve got!), sing and dance along to the infectious tunes, and make use of the approved audience-participation props. Prop bags will be available for purchase at $8 each and should be purchased well in advance, preferably at the time of ticket purchase. Please note that any unapproved props will be confiscated at the door.

This event is solely for mature audiences age 18 and older. Warning: The pre-show uses audience participation and raunchy humor to give patrons who may find the Rocky experience offensive an opportunity to leave before the movie, when shadow cast and bawdy callbacks begin.

But the high-voltage entertainment doesn’t stop there! On Saturday, Oct. 21, with shows at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., the Athens Theatre will play host to Absolute Queen, a sensational tribute show that will transport fans of one of the greatest rock bands of all time, straight back to the golden era of rock concerts.

Absolute Queen is an astonishingly authentic Queen tribute act that flawlessly replicates the band’s legendary songs, iconic music and sensational stage effects, virtually note for note.

Welsh-born lead singer Martyn Jenkins has spent countless hours in the studio mastering Queen’s harmonies, vocals and instrumentation, and has been touring extensively on both sides of the Atlantic for many years.

Jenkins’ European tour, “Night at the Opera,” was a smashing success, as were his numerous appearances for the official Queen Fan Club. He has even had the privilege of sharing the stage with Queen’s very own Brian May and Roger Taylor. “Queenophiles” can expect to revel in their favorite hits, including “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Are the Champions,” “You’re My Best Friend,” “Keep Yourself Alive” and “Another One Bites the Dust.”

Don’t miss out on these spectacular nights of entertainment that promise to be a blast from the past and a celebration of rock royalty.

The Athens Theatre is at 124 N. Florida Ave. in Downtown DeLand.

For tickets and additional information, visit www.AthenDeLand.com or contact the box office at 386-736-1500.