It has been nearly 40 years since Felissa Rose made cinematic history with the freeze-frame ending to Robert Hilzikās cult horror classic Sleepaway Camp. Did you see it as a kid? Did it scar you? Do you have questions?
Lucky day, then, because Rose is coming to Columbus this weekend to field whatever queries the bizarre camp slasher may inspire. Mike McGraner will bring the scream queen to Grandview Theater & Drafthouse (1247 Grandview Ave.) this Friday, June 18, and to Studio 35 Cinema & Drafthouse (3055 Indianola Ave.) on Saturday, June 19 for an 11 p.m. screening of Sleepaway Camp, followed by a Q&A.
McGraner had a slate of Twin Peaks screenings that boasted similar cast Q&As set to unspool just before Covidās Great Pause. He hasnāt given up on the idea of creating opportunities for fans to watch cult favorites and meet the cast.
āWhen things started to come back to life, we thought it important to give people a chance to see screenings of films in intimate settings with in-person meet and greets with the stars of the films,ā he says. āThis show will be the first in a series coming to the Columbus area. I want each show to be unique, and I think itās important to always have shows every one to two months in my hometown at places like Grandview and Studio.ā
Whatās the appeal of Sleepaway Camp?
āI chose Sleepaway Camp for our first show back mainly because itās summertime and I feel like the film has enough of a cult status to be a fun, late-night return to doing what I love,ā he says.
McGranerās interest in in-person cult horror began with his work with Columbus late-night television legend Fritz āThe Nite Owlā Peerenboom, having resurrected Nite Owl Theater as an in-person, theatrical event.
āSleepaway Camp is very much the kind of movie you would see on Friday nights during the showās run,ā McGraner explains. He thinks the film itself will be a fun summertime watch, but he believes its star is the real attraction.
āFelissa and I met a few times over the years at various conventions and after-parties,ā he says. āI love her spirit and fun attitude. She loves her fans whole-heartedly and I knew she would be the perfect guest to kick things off.ā
Rose has continued to work in the genre, starring recently in Adam Greenās Victor Crowley and guesting on Shudderās popular The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs.
More than anything, McGraner expects the event to be a good time.
āHorror is such a fun community,” he says. “Itās the way we can all be kids again in our treehouse, refusing to let adulthood get in the way.ā
Tickets for screenings and Q&As are $15. Get tickets and additional information at grandviewtheater.com and studio35.com.
Follow Hope on Twitter @maddwolf and listen to her horror movie podcast, FRIGHT CLUB.