On a wet Friday night, hundreds lined up at Chandler Cinemas for the sold out 9 o’clock showing of “Repo! The Genetic Opera.”

Two-thirds of those waiting in line were dressed up as characters from the film, singing lines from their favorite songs in unison.

The majority of the crowd had seen the film before — three or five times, even. But the minority had no idea what they were in for, let alone the impact “Repo!” had already made on those waiting impatiently for the theater to open.

Not since the premiere of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” has a film created such an underground audience.

“It’s fun,” Tyler Ross says, an actor in the upcoming live performance of “Repo!” “It’s new. It stands out on its own.”

“It’s ‘Rocky’s’ shiny new toy,” Chris Grandelli says, a “Repo!” fan.
But the film has had a long journey before becoming an underground hit.

“Repo!” was written by Darren Smith and Terrence Zdunich, and originally performed as a rock-n-roll cabaret in Los Angeles. Smith and Zdunich felt they had something with “Repo!” and continued to work on longer stage versions.

Then came Darren Lynn Bousman. After Bousman saw the show in New York, he joined Smith and Zdunich to direct and film a short version of “Repo!” for a film festival in Toronto.

The screening was a success and Smith, Zdunich and Bousman signed on with Twisted Pictures and Lionsgate Entertainment for a full length version of “Repo!”

The three worked together for months as they prepared for a feature film version of their beloved “Repo!” story.

Unfortunately, “Repo!” hit a stopping point. It failed its screen test and was only released in seven theaters across the world.

Critics, such as Claudia Puig from USA Today, panned the film, calling it an “unfunny, unscary, preposterous bloodbath about organ transplants.”

But despite the set backs, thousands began flocking to the movie, making “Repo!” an instant cult classic and dubbing it as the new “Rocky Horror.”

“It’s interesting because [‘Repo!’] an easy comparison [to ‘Rocky Horror’] but I think it might ruffle the feathers of the ‘Rocky Horror’ folk thinking somehow we are the new kid on the block trying to knock off ‘Rocky’,” Bill Mosley says, who plays Luigi Largo in “Repo!”

“ ‘Rocky’ has such an amazing community that has been following it that has become die hard fans of it that dress up as the characters and make it a part of their life,“ Bousman says. “ ‘Repo!’ [also] has a community where people dress up as the characters, and it becomes a part of their life. I think that’s where the comparison of ‘Rocky’ comes in. Not with the movie but with the community.”

There may be no Time Warp in “Repo!” but the film brings to the table a new story, characters and songs to fall in love with.

Mosley describes the film as science fiction, full of horrific elements and an ageless story between a father and a daughter.

The cast features Sarah Brightman, Paul Sorvino, Anthony Head, Nivek Orge and Paris Hilton, and each one helps to bring the whole story to life.

The impact “Repo!” has made on audiences worldwide has been quite a feat.

“There has been a sense of going at it on our own,” Mosley says referring to their small release and “Repo!” Road Tours Bousman and Zdunich have gone on to compensate.

“The one thing that has been consistent is the enthusiasm. People are really in to [‘Repo!’],” Mosley says. “That’s very heartening.”

Chandler Cinemas has become so enthusiastic over the film that they will continue to show “Repo!” on the big screen, as well as begin live performances of “Repo!” in late March.

“Everybody has been so gung-ho about the project,” Justin Reed, assistant director for the live performance, says. “It may just knock ‘Rocky Horror’ off its pedestal because of their commitment and dedication to this project.”

“It is an effort that’s being rewarded, and it is a very good movie despite critical reviews and opening in only seven theaters,” Mosley says. “There are so many strikes against ‘Repo!’ and thanks to Darren [Bousman], ‘Repo!’ has a God damned fighting chance.”

Reach the reporter at theresa.dillon@asu.edu