THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW Previews- Page 2

[ChrisTyler1288]

Posted: 3/26/26 at 7:19am

Bucks County announced last year that it was the last time they were annually producing Rocky Horror, so the lack of their production is not surprising 

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 3/26/26 at 7:31am

Any reports from the final dress?

[LeftofLinus]

Posted: 3/26/26 at 9:18am

ChrisTyler1288 said: "Bucks County announced last year that it was the last time they were annually producing Rocky Horror, so the lack of their production is not surprising"

Because they were denied the rights - not by choice. 

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 3/26/26 at 1:16pm

Curtain from last night

[joevitus]

Posted: 3/26/26 at 1:41pm

Damn I love the look of that. Thank you for sharing!

[Daisy Crumpler]

Posted: 3/26/26 at 1:47pm

algy said: "It sort of fascinates me how different the Rocky culture is in the US vs the UK (where I am). Here we don't really have the midnight showings of the movie, but we have had touring productions of this show in theatres for decades 

In the UK incarnation, there is a lot of heckling and fairly regular call and responses even going as far as people who have been the narrator regularlay having their own ones (eg Show us your big'uns biggins popping up both times I saw Christopher Biggins - in different venues and years!) anda lot of the experience can depend on a) how good your narrator is at handling it and b) how good the ushering team is at evicting trouble makers."

Something that I have never pondered before, but is Rocky Horror sort of a subversion of British panto? Perhaps just the slippery slope of what is considered "camp." 

I'm filled with much trepi...dation about this revival. Intrigued by much of the casting save for our Fearless Leader Frank. Hoping that it's a reimagined take on the character and not just the usual corset, pearls, and platform heels. If so, Luke Evans seems a very boring choice. I guess tonight's curtain call videos will give at least an idea on the aesthetics if not the performance.

[joevitus]

Posted: 3/26/26 at 4:01pm

Daisy Crumpler said: "algy said: "It sort of fascinates me how different the Rocky culture is in the US vs the UK (where I am). Here we don't really have the midnight showings of the movie, but we have had touring productions of this show in theatres for decades

In the UK incarnation, there is a lot of heckling and fairly regular call and responses even going as far as people who have been the narrator regularlay having their own ones (eg Show us your big'uns biggins popping up both times I saw Christopher Biggins - in different venues and years!) anda lot of the experience can depend on a) how good your narrator is at handling it and b) how good the ushering team is at evicting trouble makers."

Something that I have never pondered before, but is Rocky Horror sort of a subversion of British panto? Perhaps just the slippery slope of what is considered "camp."

I'm filled with much trepi...dation about this revival. Intrigued by much of the casting save for our Fearless Leader Frank. Hoping that it's a reimagined take on the character and not just the usual corset, pearls, and platform heels. If so, Luke Evans seems a very boring choice. I guess tonight's curtain call videos will give at least an idea on the aesthetics if not the performance."

You can't judge a performance by a Vogue photo shoot, but Evans--who seemed an awesome choice when he was announced--looks like the most uninteresting member of the cast. And, sadly, too old in relation to the others. Will be very interested in the reports here from those lucky enough to attend. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 3/26/26 at 4:41pm

Roundabout says the running time is 1:50, including a 15-minute intermission. 

[quizking101]

Posted: 3/26/26 at 4:55pm

I will be there tonight. They upgraded my seat to front row dead center because apparently my seat was needed for production. Go me!

[witchoftheeast2]

Posted: 3/26/26 at 4:58pm

quizking101 said: "I will be there tonight. They upgraded my seat to front row dead center because apparently my seat was needed for production. Go me!"

Does this seem to imply there will be plants in the audience or due to the creatives needing to sit there for previews/if any changes need to be made?

[quizking101]

Posted: 3/26/26 at 5:03pm

witchoftheeast2 said: "quizking101 said: "I will be there tonight. They upgraded my seat to front row dead center because apparently my seat was needed for production. Go me!"

Does this seem to imply there will be plants in the audience or due to the creatives needing to sit there for previews/if any changes need to be made?"

This show doesn’t need plants. It’s sold like wildfire since it went up. The email I got specified that it was due to the needs of the production. Considering my seats that my parents and I have for 4/18 have not changed, I assume it’s just for production tonight

[joevitus]

Posted: 3/26/26 at 5:07pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "Roundabout says the running time is 1:50, including a 15-minute intermission."

Ugh. Why an intermission? Why???? As with Follies, I consider this among the more ill-considered of the alterations to the book over time.

Updated On: 3/26/26 at 05:07 PM

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 3/26/26 at 5:07pm

witchoftheeast2 said: "quizking101 said: "I will be there tonight. They upgraded my seat to front row dead center because apparently my seat was needed for production. Go me!"

Does this seem to imply there will be plants in the audience or due to the creatives needing to sit there for previews/if any changes need to be made?"

They upgraded my seat also to dead center and others on the side. The set extends out as in the pics and I’m going at the end of April 

Updated On: 3/26/26 at 05:07 PM

[joevitus]

Posted: 3/26/26 at 5:11pm

witchoftheeast2 said: "quizking101 said: "I will be there tonight. They upgraded my seat to front row dead center because apparently my seat was needed for production. Go me!"

Does this seem to imply there will be plants in the audience or due to the creatives needing to sit there for previews/if any changes need to be made?"

In the original production, the Narrator entered with the audience and sat in the front row. After "Damn It, Janet," he rose, walked up a ramp to the stage, and began his monologue. I wonder if something similar is going on here, although I would think if so, a seat would already have been reserved for the actor.

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 3/26/26 at 5:24pm

joevitus said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "Roundabout says the running time is 1:50, including a 15-minute intermission."

Ugh. Why anintermission? Why???? As with Follies, I consider this among the more ill-considered of the alterations to the book over time."

Because they want to sell forty dollar cocktails, of course. 

[Menken Fan]

Posted: 3/26/26 at 5:25pm

quizking101 said: "I will be there tonight. They upgraded my seat to front row dead center because apparently my seat was needed for production. Go me!"
 

Ditto. Tonight. Moved. Front row center. 

[Observation]

Posted: 3/26/26 at 7:28pm

Menken Fan said: "quizking101 said: "I will be there tonight. They upgraded my seat to front row dead center because apparently my seat was needed for production. Go me!"


Ditto. Tonight. Moved. Front row center."

Please report back with your thoughts!!

 

[quizking101]

Posted: 3/26/26 at 9:06pm

Intermission - some quick thoughts:

- Juliette Lewis and Harvey Guillén are…not singers.

- Amber Gray is off to a great start as Riff Raff, but 

- Rachel Dratch is an intriguing choice for Narrator. Lands the laughs, but not commanding enough for me at least.

- LUKE EVANS! JESUS CHRIST! I am wet and confused and he really is putting everything into it. And that entrance rivals André’s Old Deuteronomy. He knows EXACTLY what he’s doing.

- Josh Andres Rivera is a lot shorter than I thought, but still hunky. 

- The callouts are uneven. Some hit. Some miss. It feels like the pace is sped up to dissuade use.

- The set is all over the theatre, but at least for Act I, the cast doesn’t really make use of the space and the aisle aside from some small moments. 

Overall, it feels like I’m at a good regional production, where it’s fun, but the fun is consigned mostly to dancing in my chair and getting turned on by Luke Evans 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/26/26 at 9:10pm

quizking101 said: "Intermission - some quick thoughts:

- Juliette Lewis and Harvey Guillénare…not singers.

- Amber Gray is off to a great start as Riff Raff, but

- Rachel Dratch is an intriguing choice for Narrator. Lands the laughs, but not commanding enough for me at least.

- LUKE EVANS! JESUS CHRIST! I am wet and confused and he really is putting everything into it. And that entrance rivals André’s Old Deuteronomy. He knows EXACTLY what he’s doing.

- Josh Andres Rivera is a lot shorter than I thought, but still hunky.

- The callouts are uneven. Some hit. Some miss. It feels like the pace is sped up to dissuade use.

- The set is all over the theatre, but at least for Act I, the cast doesn’t really make use of the space and the aisle aside from some small moments.

Overall, it feels like I’m at a good regional production, where it’s fun, but the fun is consigned mostly to dancing in my chair and getting turned on by Luke Evans"

I kinda feel like this show should always feel like a messy regional production. I don’t want a polished, perfect Rocky Horror. Call me crazy.

[mar6411]

Posted: 3/26/26 at 9:30pm

quizking101 said: "Intermission - some quick thoughts:

- Juliette Lewis and Harvey Guillénare…not singers.

- Amber Gray is off to a great start as Riff Raff, but

- Rachel Dratch is an intriguing choice for Narrator. Lands the laughs, but not commanding enough for me at least.

- LUKE EVANS! JESUS CHRIST! I am wet and confused and he really is putting everything into it. And that entrance rivals André’s Old Deuteronomy. He knows EXACTLY what he’s doing.

- Josh Andres Rivera is a lot shorter than I thought, but still hunky.

- The callouts are uneven. Some hit. Some miss. It feels like the pace is sped up to dissuade use.

- The set is all over the theatre, but at least for Act I, the cast doesn’t really make use of the space and the aisle aside from some small moments.

Overall, it feels like I’m at a good regional production, where it’s fun, but the fun is consigned mostly to dancing in my chair and getting turned on by Luke Evans"

How is Stephanie Hau and Andrew Durand? 

[uncageg]

Posted: 3/26/26 at 9:33pm

How is Michaela Jae'?

[TennisFan]

Posted: 3/26/26 at 10:48pm

mar6411 said: "quizking101 said: "Intermission - some quick thoughts:

- Juliette Lewis and Harvey Guillénare…not singers.

- Amber Gray is off to a great start as Riff Raff, but

- Rachel Dratch is an intriguing choice for Narrator. Lands the laughs, but not commanding enough for me at least.

- LUKE EVANS! JESUS CHRIST! I am wet and confused and he really is putting everything into it. And that entrance rivals André’s Old Deuteronomy. He knows EXACTLY what he’s doing.

- Josh Andres Rivera is a lot shorter than I thought, but still hunky.

- The callouts are uneven. Some hit. Some miss. It feels like the pace is sped up to dissuade use.

- The set is all over the theatre, but at least for Act I, the cast doesn’t really make use of the space and the aisle aside from some small moments.

Overall, it feels like I’m at a good regional production, where it’s fun, but the fun is consigned mostly to dancing in my chair and getting turned on by Luke Evans"

How is Stephanie Hau and Andrew Durand?"

Stephanie Hsu was great. One of the best actors. Wasn't a fan of Andrew Durand performance as it wasn't great in his vocal range but perfect acting

[EvanHansen]

Posted: 3/26/26 at 10:53pm

I was so excited to be at the first preview tonight but sadly this production missed the mark for me. My personal standouts were definitely Luke Evans, Andrew Durand, Stephanie Hsu and Amber Grey, but some of the other cast members felt incredibly miscast. The production overall feels unbalanced. There were definitely some first preview mistakes, but I also don’t know I loved some of the production’s choices. In particular, I thought the callouts grew tired as the show went on. The first few were fun but it lost it’s charm very quickly. I love the idea of a scrappy Rocky Horror on Broadway but sometimes felt like the scrappier elements of the design and overall aesthetic was a mask to facade a haphazard production. I’m still mulling some of it over, but it was my most anticipated show of the spring and I’m sad to have left the theatre with such mixed opinions, but maybe that’s par for the course with material like Rocky Horror.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 3/26/26 at 11:07pm

Ooooooooook. This was far better than I had expected it to be from everything I had heard or seen. I've said here for decades that this is *my* show - the musical and film I know and care about more than any other. It's a major part of my life and has been since I was 10. 

That said, I'm almost weary about writing anything here tonight since this show will be in a completely different place in a few weeks. It seemed almost like another dress rehearsal where most people were unsure and timid a lot of the times. If anyone had any reservations about Luke though, put those to bed. He's phenomenal and just perfect casting. Others need more time to get comfortable in the role and also with the audience. So let's talk about the audience. For a show that (I think) hoped people would either forget about the audience participation or decide not to do it, they obviously didn't prepare the actors for it and (it's quite obvious to me) were directed to speak fast to get to the next line when a callout would be happen. This was most evident with Rachel Dratch who, left zero room for any sort of interaction with the audience and it was extremely awkward at times.

And this audience was there to call out, like most of their audiences will. And therein lies the biggest problem that I knew would present itself on night one - the venue is wrong for this type of show. The callouts get stepped on by people in every other part of the house making a good portion of them unintelligible to people who don't already know what they are or should be and that also I'm guessing left some of the actors very confused as to how to respond, if they had wanted to. Another thing I think they'll get more comfortable with and hopefully play with, as they get into the show more. 

One thing I don't understand and actually hated was Dr. Scott not being in a wheelchair and yet giving him a rolling chair to just stand next to and reference as "his chair". I'm guessing they want to be sensitive to people in wheelchairs but this is just silly and makes zero sense in this musical. I also thought the staging for "Once in a While", while I kind of get what they were going for in making it a 50s style slow-song, was BOOOOORING and a total show stopper. The way it was done in the last revival made it a sexy highlight for me every single time with the Phantoms but Lord, this was just bad. 

I want to say overall I really did enjoy it. Referenced above that it seems like a regional production and I'm not going to disagree with that tonight. But again, I really do think when the cast is comfortable with their characters and with the unseen character - THE AUDIENCE, this will not be the case. 

I won't be seeing this production WAY up in the double digits and sleeping outside the theater for rush tickets like I did the last one but I will see it multiple times, I know and can't wait to see how this evolves. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 3/26/26 at 11:08pm

ACL2006 said: "I kinda feel like this show should always feel like a messy regional production. I don’t want a polished, perfect Rocky Horror. Call me crazy."

"Messy regional production" is kind of Sam Pinkleton's brand of musical theatre. And that's a fine brand as long as people aren't expecting something else. Remember how badly his LA CAGE was received at Pasadena last year? (which also had some questionable casting.) OH MARY and his earlier career as a choreographer-for-hire are sort of the outliers.