FELISSA ROSE Slays With A Live Commentary Screening Of "SLEEPAWAY CAMP" (EVENT RECAP)

Let us paint a picture for you.  It’s a jam-packed theater full of die-hard horror fans. Front and center amongst it all is an iconic horror Scream Queen famous for starring in one of the 80’s most beloved slasher classics.  A renowned Pop Horror artist is there as well, presenting a custom-made one-sheet for this event that damn near melts your eyeballs. The roof is about to fly off with the endless, raucous chants of “JUDY IS A WHORE! JUDY IS A WHORE!” (more on this later). Have we set the scene? Can you feel the vibe? The movie, of course, is “SLEEPAWAY CAMP,” The icon is FELISSA ROSE, and the artist is TOMMY SPERO of BOWMAN & BUTCHER. The Scream Society, part of the events program at Cinema Arts Center in Huntington, NY, focusing solely on the horror genre, promoted this fantastic event, hosted and MC’d by Tommy.  Having met Felissa previously at a local horror convention and knowing there was a rabid fanbase for just this kind of meet-and-greet screening, Tommy and Felissa put together an unforgettable day of thrills, chills, and side-splitting laughs from beginning to end.

The day started an hour before the screening with a special VIP “Camp Counselor” package.  Those lucky enough to snag this received an hour-long meet and greet, that beautiful event poster, and priority seating for the screening. During this hour, Felissa shared countless stories of how everything came together on “SLEEPAWAY CAMP.”  We can’t stress this enough: Felissa Rose is a force of nature, warm, endearing, kind, gracious, and funny—really, really funny. From her audition, where she spent most of the time picking a candy bar from her teeth, to the heartbreak of puppy love on set at that awkward age of thirteen, to all-night shoots that left her out of her skull, exhausted and having the time of her life. All these tales were infectious in their charm and sweetness. You can’t help but feel like you were there with her, experiencing these fantastic moments through the eyes of a thirteen-year-old, completely unaware she would become a living horror legend. Everyone at this session left with a one-of-a-kind poster specially created for this event by Tommy.  The print became an event itself once everyone laid eyes on it. We’ve seen countless interpretations of the movie’s final frame, but none has ever come close to the beauty Tommy put together for this special occasion.

After the VIP session, the doors opened to the general public, and the screening began with Felissa joining the crowd to watch the movie, microphone in hand, to give MST3K-like commentary throughout the film.  This was where the chant of “JUDY IS A WHORE!” started, and by the time Judy met her memorable end, people were crying with laughter. We must point out that Felissa gave significant props to actor Karen Fields, who played Judy in the film. The slander was solely for the character Judy, and to be fair…she deserved it! Fun fact: Jane Krackowski was initially hired for the part of Judy but backed out at the last minute. There were so many amazing stories told that we couldn’t possibly do them justice trying to recount them all.  

One moment, in particular, had a unique and lasting impact on the audience.  “SLEEPAWAY CAMP” has become a representation of Queer Cinema. As Felissa discussed its legacy, she admitted that we would most likely never know if the themes were purposeful. Perhaps it’s just a happy accident that we have a film from 1983 that was bold enough to explore a subject matter that was taboo at the time. A discussion with the audience began, in which a father told a touching story of his journey with Trans acceptance and support, which ended with resounding applause and not a few tears from the crowd. This was a recurring theme of the evening.  Felissa emphasized that the horror community is unique and that we must look after and care for each other. 

After the credits rolled, the crowd made their way to the cafe, where Tommy and Felissa signed posters, took photos with fans, and ensured everyone in attendance felt they had a moment with these incredibly talented people.  Events like this are worth the trip, and fans from all over the tri-state area were in attendance.  We’ll always make it a point to see Felissat at any opportunity. To have someone so warm, funny, and inclusive who can tell a story that can touch your heart while making you cry from laughter is a day well spent. 

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