Being relatively new to Eastern State Penitentiary, I had no idea how much the staff dresses up and gets down… until I attended the Terror Behind the Walls cast party in November. Among ESP daytime staff, there were cowpokes, a Katy Perry lookalike, a ferocious honey badger, a flasher (of flesh), and Bob Dylan, circa “Subterranean Homesick Blues.”
I went as Annie Hall, the eponymous character from one of my favorite movies. She’s my style icon and we share a first name, so I’m practically her namesake. I was fortunate enough to DJ the event, and I had a great vantage from the stage to observe the multitudes of pirates, super heroes, plastic chainsaw wielding psychos, and zombies.
One of my favorite costumes sported by a Terror staffer was the entirely wholesome Rusty and Rin Tin Tin, a boy and his dog made famous in radio and film dramas of the 1920s-1950s. The getup involved knickers, knee high socks, a trench coat, and a stuffed animal dog affixed to Rusty’s arm. On the other end of the wholesome spectrum, but nonetheless creative and eye-catching, was a zombie Hugh Hefner and a harem of Playboy Playmates
The Mummer’s Museum, equal parts ‘70s lounge, fantastical museum, and Elks lodge, was the perfect spot to host the cast party and its motley crew of actors, producers, and admin folks. We toasted TBTW’s 20th anniversary, cheered on the actors who won awards for loyalty and theatrics, and partied down til the wee hours.
When does Terror Behind the Walls roll around again? I want in on the after parties!
Annie Anderson (DJ Annie RUOK)
Historic Site Researcher
