It is a great movie and experience. Where I grew up in New Jersey there was a theater about 30 minutes from our house. Coincidentally there was also a White Castle about 5 minutes from the theater, so the two usually happened at the same time in the same trip.

It never happened when I was there, but legend had it that Meat Loaf who lived relatively nearby would occasionally show up at the show and join right in. (This was during the 80s).

I have heard stories similar to yours quite a few times over the years. It is great how a movie can have such an lasting result on so many. And that it can still live on decades later.

Great post!