The Rocky Horror Picture Show lovers should dust off their costumes — the show is coming to downtown Washington.

“It has the makings of being one of the most different things that anyone’s ever done in that theater in many years. It’s going to be a lot of fun, but it’s also going to be a ‘freak show’ — in a fun way,” said Joey Toler, with a laugh.

Toler is executive director of Arts of the Pamlico, formerly the Beaufort County Arts Council. The film, in which costumes, props and audience participation is encouraged, will be shown at AOP’s Turnage Theater at 10 p.m. on Aug. 29.

“Traditionally, Rocky Horror is a midnight showing, but we couldn’t bring ourselves to do the midnight thing — 10 o’clock’s pretty late for our community anyway,” Toler said.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show, starring Tim Curry, Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon, bombed when it was first released in 1975 — that is, except for midnight screenings. They became wildly popular. Word of mouth spread and midnight showings of the film at New York City’s Waverly Theater turned it into a cult classic, maintaining the film’s popularity over decades. The Rocky Horror Picture Show holds the record for the longest-running stage production in history and for the longest theatrical release in film history. In Muenchen, Germany, the Museum Lichtspiele cinema has screened the movie every week since June 24, 1977, offering special “RHPS-Kits” with props for better participation in the show, according to an AOP press release.

The key to the show’s lasting popularity has been its interactivity, Toler said.

“We wanted to get the word out early because this is an audience participation event and what makes it fun is people dressing up like characters, people dancing the Time Warp, people singing along with the characters in the film,” Toler said.

But not everyone has to sing, dance and throw rice when it’s appropriate.

“There are going to be a certain number of people there too that are just going to be sitting back watching all this.”

Toler said he’s only seen the film once, and he was one of those who just sat back and watched the events unfolding onscreen and in the seats and aisles around him.

While some would say Rocky Horror is an unusual film choice for AOP, Toler said it’s part of the organization’s effort to diversify both audience and programming — and it appears to be working.

“Already, the feedback has been positive, and I’m hearing from a group that doesn’t usually pay attention to what we do,” Toler said.

Just like the Muenchen cinema, prop bags will be handed out to the first 100 ticket buyers. According to show host Scott Campbell, when characters Brad and Janet are caught in a storm, audience members will be able to cover their heads with copies of the Washington Daily News included in the prop bags, just like Janet; and when Frank-N-Furter snaps his rubber gloves three times during a speech, the audience can snap right along with him.

“We’re also seeking volunteers for the cleanup committee,” Toler laughed.

The film starts at 10 p.m., but pre-show festivities with hosts Laura Scoble and Campbell, begin at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are available $15 and are available in advance starting Tuesday, Aug. 18, or at the door. Doors open at 9 p.m. Aug. 29 and there will be a cash bar, Toler said.

For more information visit AOP online at www.artsofthepamlico.org or call 252-946-2504.