Entry No. 31 — the Cleveland file — filed under: midnight-movies
Cedar Lee Theatre
Opening on Christmas Day in 1925, this historic independent theater is a beloved community pillar famous for its long-running late-night cult cinema. It hosts the legendary monthly midnight screenings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show complete with a live local shadowcast.
The story
When the Cedar Lee opened on Christmas Day in 1925, it was a single 1,100-seat palace screening silent films while a bowling alley and pool hall operated on the upper levels. The theater's pivot to cult status began in 1977, when Jon Forman acquired the venue, launched the inaugural Cleveland International Film Festival from its single screen, and began steering the marquee toward foreign art cinema and midnight oddities.
Rather than surrendering to modern suburban multiplexes, the venue expanded into six screens while retaining its fiercely independent streak. You didn't hear it from us, but the real magic happens long after dark on the first Saturday of every month: resident shadowcast Simply His Servants has been acting out The Rocky Horror Picture Show frame-for-frame in front of the screen since late 1994, keeping Cleveland's longest-running midnight ritual alive.
What it's like
You'll spot the vintage marquee glowing along Lee Road, marking a venue where quiet daytime art-house audiences trade places with costumed midnight regulars. If you are attending Rocky Horror, show up at least 30 minutes before midnight to buy a lobby participation pack, grab a drink or popcorn, and claim a seat before the pre-show callbacks start. Park in the public metered lot behind the building off Tullamore Road—avoid private retail lots like CVS unless you want to risk a tow—and grab a smash burger down the street at Eugene's before joining the queue.
The move: Grab a late-night bite at Eugene's down the street, then head to the theater at midnight to buy a 'participation pack' in the lobby and shout call-backs alongside the costumed shadowcast, 'Simply His Servants'.
- 📍 Cleveland Heights
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: 2163 Lee Rd, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Quintana's Speakeasy — Grab a pre-movie cocktail hidden behind a barbershop door half a mile down Lee Road before heading to your screening.
- The Haserot Angel — Combine an afternoon visit to Lake View Cemetery's weeping bronze monument with an evening indie film down the street.
- Dittrick Medical History Center — Pair Case Western Reserve's collection of 19th-century surgical tools with late-night cult cinema for a full day of unconventional history.
- Whimsigoth Night Market — Turn your trip into a complete alternative night out by hitting the witchy night market before a midnight screening.
Good to know
When did the Cedar Lee Theatre first open?
It opened on Christmas Day in 1925, screening the silent film The King on Main Street starring Adolphe Menjou.
When is The Rocky Horror Picture Show screened with the live shadowcast?
Screenings take place on the first Saturday of every month at midnight, featuring the local live shadowcast Simply His Servants.
Where should I park when visiting the theater?
Use the metered public lot directly behind the theater off Tullamore Road or search for street parking along Lee Road. Meters are enforced 24/7.
Can I bring my own props for Rocky Horror?
To protect the theater, certain loose props like water guns are prohibited, but official participation packs containing approved items are available for purchase in the lobby.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: clevelandcinemas.com · case.edu · clevelandhistorical.org · simplyhisservants.com
last checked: 2026-07-21