A lot happened on the evening of January 17. Rehearsal was about to begin for the Midnight Insanity 20th anniversary show; MI is a local Rocky Horror cast currently based aboard the Queen Mary and a 15+ year staple in Long Beach. In fact, city council named the 17th “Midnight Insanity Day” in honor of its local contributions. Also on the 17th, the LA Times published a feature on Midnight Insanity, promoting the cast and the anniversary show.

On the day the article was published, Midnight Insanity day, founder Mark Tomaino got an email before he left for rehearsal. It was from Queen Mary’s management, and it said that the 20th anniversary show would be the last aboard the ship: “It was just two sentences, they decided they didn’t want to continue the lease, to please make arrangements so that this will be your last show, etc.”

So Mark left a voicemail with the QM offices, begging for at least for a 30 day extension, as was written in the lease he and the Queen Mary signed. The extension was granted but failed to calm him any. “I was floored” he said, “I don’t know if I have it in me to go out and talk to other theaters, to try and go find a place where it’ll work out for us.”

Saturday’s anniversary performance was a triumph, both the 9pm and midnight shows had the Royal Theatre packed. “It was incredible, seeing all these people from the old days.” Said Mark,“You know, for some people its kind of central component of their life. I’ve noticed when somebody shows up that we haven’t seen in like five to seven years… they do it to reconnect with someone, like they went through a divorce or something, they need to know that there’s something there for them.”

So why would the Queen Mary want Midnight Insanity out? Mark says his group has brought in thousands of dollars for the ship and maintained a happy relationship thus far; that he’s invested thousands more in lighting and equipment for the years to come. So why now? And what for?

Attempts to get in contact with Queen Mary management have been made, but no official word is out yet. Personally, I grew up around Midnight Insanity, and though I never got that involved there’s no denying the role MI plays in Long Beach. It’s an institution, without question. As the 30 day notice stands right now, their last performance aboard the Queen Mary, possibly ever, is going to be February 16. Check this space for updates on this story, they’ll be posted as they come.

Tags: midnight insanity, Queen Mary, rocky horror picture show, Writing Shotgun