THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW Is a Burst of Vibrant Queer Joy — Review
Back in late 2024, I wandered into Pasadena Playhouse to experience a joyfully queer and zany new production of La Cage aux Folles directed by Tony Winner Sam Pinkleton. Fresh off his win from Oh, Mary! that has taken the American (and now British) Theatre by storm, Pinkleton took a beloved classic musical and not only turned it on its head, but threw it in the oven, cranked up the heat, and watched it explode with a burst of rainbow sparkles and glitter that I bet the Pasadena crew is still cleaning up.
Well he has done it again on the East Coast this time with his alluring Broadway revival of The Rocky Horror Show, which opened earlier tonight at the famed Studio 54. If you take a look at the work that Pinkleton has shaped even in the past year, from Josh Sharp’s ta-da to the immensely wonderful Can I Be Frank (it’s returning this summer and you MUST go catch it), some may pass it off as “weird downtown theatre” but honey, those people are missing out. Pinkleton has a way of shaping stories and culture with a choreographic eye that takes eccentric work and produces mainstream success that makes any given night out at the theatre electrifying.
His Rocky is no different. Led by a cast that even the wildest of Instagram fan accounts couldn't dream up, this Rocky is unequivocally queer and unequivocally made for today.
To have Rocky Horror, which premiered on Broadway back in 1975, in the same season as Liberation (let’s not forget about them Tony Nominators!!), a play that takes place when this originally premiered, is a fascinating case study on the era. This Rocky, new in every way, takes Richard O’Brien’s story of Brad and fiancée Janet and plops it right into Pinkleton’s brain and delivers one satisfying revival.
Luke Evans as Frank-N-Furter commands the stage the minute he steps out in those iconic fishnet stockings. What does Frank-N-Furter even stand for in 2026? It's a radical act to be unapologetically yourself nowadays unfortunately, and he represents what his idea of queerness means to him; and he’s always fabulous as well. Andrew Durand has truly made a name for himself in the past few seasons as a thrilling leading man from Shucked to Dead Outlaw. His Brad is a delight; watching his repression to indulgence transformation is lively and gleeful. Paired with the fantastically wonderful Stephanie Hsu (please never leave Broadway), the duo are funny, vibrant and sensuous in the best way.
Amber Gray as Riff Raff is everything you want her to be, and when paired with the raspy and ferocious Juliette Lewis as Magenta, those are some aliens who can kidnap me any day of the week.
With a story so beloved and historied, Rachel Dratch does her very best as the Narrator. Dratch is in true peak form being quirky and punchy as ever, but the callouts are a challenge. There is a note on Roundabout’s website asking audience members to have respect and “choose your call-outs carefully—as this is a Broadway musical, not a midnight showing of the film.” At my particular performance, some folks were into it and others not, which made the will they-won’t they momentum of the show be clogged down, and hard to hear.
Scenic design collective dots (part of the Theatrely31 family) deliver in helping bring Pinkleton’s whacky and glamourous vision to life, especially when paired with Jane Cox’s lighting and David I. Reynoso’s costume design.
The halls of Studio 54 should be proud with the glittery whirlwind happening on stage eight times a week. It’s Sam Pinkleton to a tee, and boy is it fun. It's a type of revival that will please the fans and welcome newcomers to the world justly. We are fortunate to have so much queer joy on our stages here in New York right now and The Rocky Horror Show add to that collection perfectly. Head over to the lab, and keep dreaming.
The Rocky Horror Show is now in performance at Studio 54 on West 54th Street through July 19, 2026. For tickets and more information, visit here.
