November 13th:

As many of you know, Lions Gate gave Repo! A Genetic Opera only a couple of screens when they released it on November 7^th. Since then, we’ve interviewed many people from the cast (Anthony Head: here; Bill Moseley: here and here)and crew and have a review it from Donny and today, I. Darren Bousman (read: here) and Terrance Zdunich (read: here)have chosen to take Repo! from city to city, in eight markets. I had the pleasure of traveling and seeing Repo! on the big screen and took in some thoughts from the Repo! Road Tour.

 

The stop I visited was in Kansas City. It was like a homecoming of sorts for Darren Bousman, a Kansas native. Prior to the screening at 9pm, Darren hosted a little party full of family and friends, plus some Repo! fanatics. The mood was light but you could tell Darren was a bit apprehensive. Repo!  is unlike his Saw films and he guaranteed that most of his family will not like it. The film was a passion project from him, and at times he was coaxing up some of that fun.

“Can I have your attention please?” he demanded. “Family,” he directed, “meet Repo! fans. “Repo! fans meet my family.” Laughter ensued. It was pretty funny a few people dressed up in Gothic clothes and his family, a typical Midwestern-looking family mingling, but Darren is right. Repo! is all about community and nothing served that notion better than his gathering of fans and family. Terrance Zdunich was there too, as he will be for the Road Show, talking with friends, kicking back a cold beer, laughing, it was a good time, but we had to get going. A line was forming by the theatre of nervous and excited fans waiting to see Repo! and Darren.

The line was long, but everyone was in good spirits. People talked about the film, the release pattern, took pictures with Darren and Terrance, and even traded travel stories. I caught people saying they came in from St. Louis, Omaha, NE, New York City even and plenty of Kansas City fans, all eager to see this rock opera. The community aspect seems to be working, even more so in line than at the mini-party. People were exchanging names and wondering who one was on the Repo! message boards. Once 8:30pm rolled around, tickets were taken and people gathered into their seats. Darren and Terrance came up prior to the film and gave a brief introduction.

After the film finished Darren and Terrance came down in front of the screen and invited those who wished, to stay and partake in a Q and A session. I’d say half of the crowd left, which is to be expected since Repo! is such a dividing film. Those who did stay offered them questions that ranged from the intelligent (“Who are your operatic influences?”) to dumb (“Are you done with the Saw series?”), but it was fun for everyone to ask burning questions to them. Darren re-enacted his meeting with the studio and his pitch for Repo! to them which got a lot of laughs. Terrance congratulated the fans who dressed up and Darren told an awesome story of one Repo! fan who made it possible to have the film get a screening in Toronto. After wards, Darren and Terrance sat at a table inviting fans to talk with and sign autographs and pictures. Fans I over heard talked about Repo! by debating favorite characters and songs, while some chitchatted about horror conventions. Despite needing to get on a plane to Pittsburgh the following day, Darren and Terrance signed every single fans memorabilia.

 

Darren asked for a community for Repo! since it was the only way it could survive in the theatres and get its name out there. Repo! isn’t for average Joe and Mary, but the fans here, if any indication, will be fans for life and will gather their friends up to introduce them to this bizarre and unique rock opera. I was happy to travel and partake in the Repo Road Tour, not only because I wanted to, but being around Darren and Terrance with fans everywhere was infectious and I could see why Darren wanted a community for the film so much.

Have you been to one of the stops? If so, talk back below! Darren promises more cities to come!

Tags: Anthony Head, Bill Moseley, Darren Bousman, Repo, Repo Road Show, Repo! A Genetic Opera, Terrance Zdunich