Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show, a campy 1973 musical inspired by sci-fi and horror B-movies, has lived a long and fruitful life. But its 1975 film adaptation, by some measure the longest-running theatrical release in US history, has almost inarguably overshadowed that legacy. The film’s song selection, plotting and performances – from Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon and others – have been enshrined as the definitive Rocky Horror. Which doesn’t mean that a revival of the stage show arrives without fanfare, only that the experience of actually watching it may underwhelm.
That was, at least, my experience during the third Broadway mounting of Rocky Horror at Studio 54. The production’s announcement was much ballyhooed, with excitement particularly centered on the starry cast assembled. West End boy turned tough-guy movie star Luke Evans plays mad scientist cross-dresser Frank-n-Furter (the role made famous by Curry). Oscar nominee Stephanie Hsu is Janet (played by Sarandon in the film). Juliette Lewis is Magenta, Saturday Night Live vet Rachel Dratch is the Narrator. Those in the know were also heartened that the revival is directed by Sam Pinkleton, who recently worked queer-comedy wonders with Oh, Mary!, a new member of the rarefied class of enduring Broadway hits.
