This September, Grammy-winning musician and Scissor Sisters frontman Jake Shears steps into one of theater's most electrifying roles, taking on Dr. Frank-N-Furter in Broadway's current revival of The Rocky Horror Show.
Jake Shears first rose to global recognition as the frontman of Scissor Sisters, whose glitter-rock, disco-infused sound made him one of the defining queer pop voices of the 2000s. Beyond his musical career, he has established an equally compelling presence across screen and stage. On Broadway, Shears starred in Kinky Boots and wrote the lyrics for Tammy Faye, a musical scored by Elton John that won Olivier Awards before transferring to Broadway in 2024. In 2023, he received widespread critical acclaim for playing the Emcee in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club in London’s West End.
The Rocky Horror Show first premiered at London’s Royal Court Theatre in 1973. The musical follows Brad and Janet, a straitlaced couple who stumble into a strange mansion on a rainy night and encounter Frank-N-Furter, a gender-nonconforming mad scientist who dismantles everything they thought they knew. Its score — featuring classics like “Sweet Transvestite,” “The Time Warp,” and “Dammit Janet” — has been sung by fans for over half a century. The 1975 film adaptation starring Tim Curry cemented the property as a cultural institution. Since then, the stage version has been performed in more than 15 languages and seen by over 40 million people worldwide.
The current production, directed by Tony Award winner Sam Pinkleton and staged at Studio 54, has garnered nine Tony Award nominations for 2026, including Best Revival of a Musical. Luke Evans originated the role of Frank-N-Furter here and received a Tony nomination, alongside original cast members Stephanie Hsu and Andrew Durand. The revival has also featured memorable performances from Rachel Dratch as the Narrator and Valentina as Columbia, who made history as the first trans Mexican American in a principal role on Broadway. Lorna Courtney and Kevin McHale join the cast as Janet and Brad in late August, and Shears begins his performances in mid-September.
Some casting choices require a leap of faith. This one does not. Shears has spent two decades commanding stages with the charisma and fearlessness Frank-N-Furter demands. He has the presence and edge to bring Frank-N-Furter to life. The fit isn’t coincidental — it’s the obvious choice.
Tickets: https://playbill.com/production/the-rocky-horror-show-broadway-studio-54-2026
