Rocky horror returns: luke evans steps into a legend

The stage is set for a seismic return. After a 24-year absence from Broadway, The Rocky Horror Show is back, and this time, it’s bringing a fresh wave of energy—and a whole lot of audience participation—to Studio 54. But more than just a revival, director Sam Pinkleton is aiming to capture the show’s enduring spirit of rebellion and self-discovery, a spirit that, for many, began with a fateful midnight screening decades ago.

A cult born in the shadows of ohio

For those unfamiliar with the legend, the story began not on Broadway, but in a dimly lit theater in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. A teenager’s accidental stumble into a midnight showing of the cult classic—a film spawned from Richard O’Brien’s 1973 stage creation—revealed a world where theatricality wasn't just encouraged, it was demanded. Armed with a meager arsenal of rice and toilet paper (a far cry from the squirt guns and flashlights wielded by the seasoned devotees), the newcomer was immediately immersed in a spectacle of punk, goth, and DIY glam, a space of exhilarating freedom where gender, sexuality, and identity could be explored without reservation.

The original Rocky Horror Show, a deliriously absurd pastiche of ’50s rock, ’70s glam, horror, and sci-fi, initially found its footing in London’s Royal Court Theatre. The 1975 film adaptation, however, initially flopped, destined for obscurity until resourceful programmers at the Waverly Theater in Manhattan began running it at midnight. This marked the genesis of a phenomenon—a cult brought to life by a dedicated, and increasingly eccentric, audience.

Luke evans embraces the icon: 'sweet transvestite' revisited

Now, Luke Evans, the Welsh actor known for his roles in The Hobbit and Beauty and the Beast, steps into the formidable shoes of Frank-N-Furter. This isn’t Evans’ first encounter with the character; he famously performed “Sweet Transvestite” in drag during his student showcase in London. “It’s funny how it’s taken almost 30 years to actually come back into my life,” Evans remarks, balancing the demands of his role with a temporary relocation from Portugal—and the important matter of bringing his dachshund, Lala, along for company.

Pinkleton, with a touch of playful mischief, describes Frank-N-Furter as “the musical-theater Hamlet,” a role requiring a rare blend of charisma, menace, and undeniable sex appeal. “Frank can be flamboyant and feminine, slinky and sultry, but there’s a menace to him,” Evans explains, emphasizing the character's multifaceted allure. “I want him to feel attractive in many, many different ways so that men and women can look at him and go, Hmmm.”

More than a revival: an experience for the ages

This production isn’t just a recreation; it’s an immersion. Juliette Lewis, as Magenta, calls Rocky Horror her “creative birthplace,” recalling a formative experience at a San Fernando Valley stage show. Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, playing Columbia, echoes this sentiment, noting that the show’s soundtrack was a constant companion in her youth. Even Rachel Dratch, the veteran comic taking on the role of the Narrator, remembers first seeing the film as a child in Massachusetts. These actors bring not only talent but also a deep-seated connection to the material, fueling Pinkleton’s vision for a show that embraces its legacy while forging a new path.

And what of the audience? Pinkleton isn't attempting to 'fix' a beloved institution. “It doesn’t need fixing,” he asserts. Instead, he wants to meet the show “at face value and embrace the many, many experiences people have with it.” Expect audience participation—it's practically mandatory—and a theatrical atmosphere that feels both familiar and refreshingly raw. The show’s enduring appeal, after all, lies not just in its campy plot and infectious music, but in its invitation to be unapologetically oneself.

As for the set design, Pinkleton and his team are intentionally keeping it simple, avoiding the pitfalls of Broadway excess. Borrowing inspiration from Rick Owens and Michèle Lamy, the costume design promises a potent blend of punk aesthetics and a DIY spirit, perfectly capturing the show’s rebellious heart. “Just having the ghosts back there—to have the afterlife talking,” says Guillén, hinting at the playful, unpredictable energy that will permeate Studio 54. With a cast that includes Hollywood stars, seasoned performers, and, as Pinkleton puts it, “some capital-F freaks from Bushwick,” The Rocky Horror Show is poised to remind us that sometimes, the most exhilarating experiences are found on the fringes.