The Sexy, Spooky, Star-Filled Broadway Musical I'm Currently Obsessed with

You'll give it a standing o...vation

the rocky horror show broadway review
Joan Marcus

When the casting was announced for the Broadway revival of The Rocky Horror Show, I definitely thought I was being pranked. How could so many fabulous performers all have signed on to the same production of one of my favorite musicals of all time? (Spoiler: It was not a prank.)

SNL legend Rachel Dratch, Fast & Furious villain Luke Evans, comedic genius Juliette Lewis, breakout Pose star MJ Rodriguez, Oscar nominee Stephanie Hsu, Broadway icon Amber Gray... My excitement was at peak levels.

Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show has always been an incredible musical. Thanks to numerous stage iterations and the cult classic film (which stars Tim Curry), the story and the songs have transcended time (and space?), making it a staple in the hearts of serious musical theater fans.

With such a history and such a stacked cast, my expectations were as high as my excitement levels—and, fortunately, the new Broadway production delivers in a big way.

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Joan Marcus

Like the film, the stage show follows newlyweds Brad (Andrew Durand) and Janet (played brilliantly by Hsu) as they encounter a spooky house (and a spooky cast of characters inside) after their car breaks down on a rainy night. What ensues is an erotic journey that tests their relationship and their morals, all narrated by "the Narrator" (played by a hilariously stone-faced Dratch).

The show is sexy and titillating, filled with fabulous performances, particularly by Evans as the towering and tantalizing Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Evans's Frank is raw, powerful and nuanced as he tries to create the perfect man/mate. His portrayal is "sloppier" than that of some of his famous predecessors—a take that works perfectly in this less-glam production.

Other standouts besides Evans, Dratch and Hsu include Josh Rivera (American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez) as Rocky, Gray as Riff Raff and Harvey Guillén (What We Do in the Shadows) in a dual set of roles. Each creates a unique take on roles that have been played many times over, keeping the show fun and fresh. The vocals on stage aren't all perfect (particularly from some of the Broadway newcomers), but instead of distracting or detracting, this only contributes to the overall aesthetic of the production.

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Joan Marcus

The vibes in the theater are joyful throughout the nearly 2-hour runtime. The show is entertaining from start to finish, as we race from catchy tune to catchy tune—a must-see in an already impressive Broadway season.

Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show is now playing at Studio 54.

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