A Slick, Sexy Revival That Sounds Fantastic
At Studio 54, director Sam Pinkleton’s revival of The Rocky Horror Show arrives with the polish and confidence of a top-tier live musical revival. The production leans into the piece’s roots as a subversive rock musical rather than a raucous movie screening, foregrounding strong vocals and sleek staging. Luke Evans’ Frank-N-Furter is pitched as a commanding, glam-rock ringmaster, while Stephanie Hsu’s Janet and Andrew Durand’s Brad bring crisp singing and clear character arcs to roles that are often overshadowed by audience antics. Rachel Dratch, as the Narrator, gamely engages with the crowd when they do speak up, proving this cast can handle chaos as well as craft. Musically and theatrically, it is a tight, sexily performed version of the cult stage musical that respects Richard O’Brien’s score and narrative structure even as it plays in a relatively large, mainstream venue.
When Killer Performances Clash with Careful Vibes
Despite the cast’s strengths, the production pulls back from the full-throttle theatre live experience many associate with The Rocky Horror Show. Before the curtain even rises, a preshow announcement sternly reminds the crowd that they are at a live performance, not a film, setting a cautious tone. Some traditional call-backs survive: a few brave souls shout “slut!” at Janet and “assh–e!” at Brad, and Dratch’s Narrator even coaxes quieter hecklers to repeat themselves. But by intermission, the Rocky Horror audience interaction has largely evaporated, leaving the second half to play more like a conventional musical. The result is a curious tension: the show preaches “give yourself over to absolute pleasure,” yet its own rules leave ticket holders unsure how rowdy they are allowed to be. That hesitation, more than any artistic misstep, is what keeps this revival from feeling like a true party.
What Makes a Cult Live Musical Feel Like a Party?
The Rocky Horror Show developed a unique theatre live experience over decades of midnight screenings and fringe productions. Fans turned it into an interactive ritual: shouting call-backs, dressing in corsets and fishnets, and singing along until the room felt more like a rock club than a theatre. While Richard O’Brien never designed the musical to be mocked in unison, that unruly participation became central to its identity as a cult stage musical. Crucially, the best live musical revival versions understand that the Rocky Horror audience doesn’t just watch the show; they co-author it in real time. Traditional etiquette—quiet, attentive, hands folded—sits awkwardly beside expectations of rice-throwing, innuendo, and communal release. When a production blurs or polices those lines without clarity, it risks pleasing musical-theatre purists while leaving long-time fans wondering what happened to the delicious chaos they came for.
Finding the Line Between Immersive and Restrained
This revival deliberately steers Rocky Horror away from its messy, anything-goes club roots and toward a more controlled Broadway framework. A lecture-like preshow speech, and the sense that call-backs are tolerated rather than invited, place it on the restrained end of the participation spectrum. Historically, attempts to upscale the show into a 1,000-seat house have been tricky; the musical famously faltered when it first went fully mainstream on Broadway, suggesting it loses something when the vibe becomes too tidy. By contrast, earlier stagings and other cult revivals often lean into the concert-like atmosphere, baking fan rituals into the direction, lighting and pacing. Here, the creative team seems torn between honoring a 50-year tradition and safeguarding a smoother, more predictable performance. That indecision creates an energy dip the strong cast can’t entirely power through, especially in moments that normally feed on crowd noise.
Should You Buy Tickets to This Rocky Horror?
This The Rocky Horror Show is ideal if you want a sharply sung, well-acted live musical revival with a subversive edge but without full-on rowdiness. Musical theatre fans who value clean sound, clear storytelling and star casting will likely leave satisfied, and Rocky newcomers may appreciate experiencing the score without constant interruption. Devoted Rocky Horror audience regulars, however, might feel underwhelmed by the limited interaction and the self-conscious tone around call-backs. Do not expect a full midnight-movie free-for-all; think of it more as a polished stage musical with occasional heckles rather than a participatory rite. For a date night or group outing where you want a taste of cult stage musical weirdness wrapped in Broadway control, this revival fits the bill. If you crave an unapologetically anarchic party, you may find yourself silently mouthing the lines you once shouted.