“The Rocky Horror Show” on Broadway Unveils New Cast: Jake Shears as Frank-N-Furter for Halloween Season

New York — “The Rocky Horror Show” on Broadway has a brand-new cast, just in time for the Halloween season. The Broadway revival, playing at Studio 54 under the direction of Tony winner Sam Pinkleton, has introduced seven new actors joining original stars Rachel Dratch (as the Narrator) and Amber Gray (as Riff Raff).

Headlining the cast is Scissor Sisters frontman Jake Shears, who makes his Broadway debut in the iconic role of Frank-N-Furter. The other new cast members are Lorna Courtney (Janet), Kevin McHale (Brad) — known for his role in the series “Glee” — Jimin Moon (Rocky), George Salazar (Eddie/Dr. Scott), Sherie Rene Scott (Magenta) and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” star Valentina (Columbia). For Shears, playing Frank-N-Furter is a personal honor: “Playing Frank-N-Furter at this moment in my life is an absolute privilege,” he said, calling “Rocky Horror” his favorite piece of art.

The production, a cult classic of the musical following an engaged couple who get lost and arrive at Frank-N-Furter’s residence, continues with the repertoire of pop-rock songs that became famous on stage, such as “Time Warp,” “Dammit Janet” and “Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch-a Touch Me.” Director Sam Pinkleton, Tony winner for “Oh, Mary!”, describes the show as the place where Halloween lives every day: “You can feel free, liberated, sexy. Make noise and have fun.”

With the new cast, the revival of “The Rocky Horror Show” hopes to attract the fall audience ahead of Halloween, the period when interest in the show traditionally peaks, according to the New York Theatre Guide. The production plays at Studio 54, 254 West 54th Street, with a running time of 1 hour and 50 minutes (including intermission).