It’s time to do the time warp again… this time in the legendary Studio 54. Roundabout Theatre Company brings The Rocky Horror Show back to Broadway for the first time in over 20 years with a star-studded cast directed by rising director Sam Pinkleton.
I’ve listened to the cast album for years, but I’ve never actually seen the stage production (or the movie, for that matter) in full. After several months of waiting with antici…pation, I can confidently say I have the perfect first welcome into Richard O’Brien’s cult-classic world.
From the moment you enter the lobby of Studio 54, you’re immersed in the story. The chandeliers are lit green, and the walls are lined with sci-fi movie posters and leaflets featuring iconic quotes from the show. After you scan your ticket, you begin to discover hidden skeletons throughout the house dressed as doormen, or simply poking out behind odd cutaways in the walls.
The messy lighting fixtures run throughout the house, some of the orchestra seat backs are covered in tinfoil, and a few of the mannequins from the house right box appear near the stairs to the mezzanine. The bar was serving specialty-themed drinks, of course, as well as specialty popcorn boxes.
This level of immersion was not abandoned once the show started. The production filled the entire space, with lighting and sound elements reaching even the last row of the mezzanine. To no surprise, the first few rows of the orchestra had a great deal of interaction with the performers, with two audience members even getting called up to join in during “Time Warp.”
While the entire show was nonstop fun, the cast was absolutely the standout. I had high expectations going into the show; putting Amber Gray, Stephanie Hsu, Andrew Durand, Luke Evans, Juliette Lewis, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, and Rachel Dratch onstage was a clear recipe for success. However, Luke Evans was the definitive standout as Dr. Frank-N-Furter. From his first entrance in “Sweet Transvestite” to the final moments of “I’m Going Home,” Evans shines with a commanding presence that honors Tim Curry’s legendary performance while breathing new life into the character, always feeling like an homage rather than a forced replication.
The show’s success is not without Sam Pinkleton’s distinct touch. On a superficial level, “Rose Tint My World” and “I’m Going Home” mirror the level of grandeur of Mary’s madcap medley in new age cult-classic Oh, Mary! Yet, what is more characteristic is Pinkleton’s ability to balance outlandish humor with deeply sentimental, moving moments. Each character in the show, no matter how unhinged, feels grounded and real. And despite the bizarre set of circumstances that surround the plot, I never once found myself questioning “why.”
At the same time, his knack for pacing is evident. This revival of Rocky Horror is one of the few times I’ve turned to my friend to say, “Intermission? Already?” The show moves quickly, and Act 2 somehow feels even faster than Act 1. Those who prefer a more efficient theatre experience might wish the intermission were omitted, though it helped me stay entranced in the manor longer (even if it was only 15 minutes).
It is only fitting that such an iconic show gets such an iconic venue and such an iconic cast. The Rocky Horror Show is a dream-worthy welcome back to Broadway that leaves long-time fans and first-time attendees alike buzzing with joy. Perhaps you could say it’s the perfect show for relieving your tension…
Are you ready to take a jump to the left?
