With less than a week until opening night of The Rocky Horror Show on Broadway, Luke Evans—starring as Dr. Frank-N-Furter—is ready to stride onstage in fishnets and seven-inch platforms.
“I think I enjoy the tech process… because you still have the license and freedom to experiment and change things up,” says Evans. “But if we opened tomorrow, I feel very, very good about what we have.”
“I feel giddy,” echoes director Sam Pinkleton, also known for his work on Oh, Mary!. “With live theater, you could tinker forever… and at a certain point you have to say, ‘Pencils down.’ Especially with this show—we’ve had such a good time making it.”
The pair joined guest host Marley Marius, Vogue’s senior features and news editor, on The Run-Through to discuss their collaboration—and the cast’s surreal photo shoot with Norman Jean Roy and Tonne Goodman for the April 2026 issue of Vogue, which took place when the actors were just getting to know each other.
“I’m not just saying this because I’m on the Vogue podcast: Tonne and Norman understood it on a molecular level,” says Pinkleton. “It was like they captured the DNA of the show… That shoot set a path for making the production in a way I didn’t fully expect.”
While the cast prepares for opening night, Pinkleton has also begun rehearsing this week with Maya Rudolph, who is set to take over the lead role in Oh, Mary! this spring.
“When Cole [Escola] and I were first making Oh, Mary!, we thought, ‘No one will ever play this part except Cole. Well, maybe no one except… Maya Rudolph.’ So we’re really eating our words now,” says Pinkleton. He also sees certain parallels between that show and Rocky Horror.
“Mary Todd Lincoln is such an amazing character. There’s no one like her… much like Dr. Frank-N-Furter,” he continues. “She’s a character largely misunderstood by the world, who knows she contains greatness, and who wants to show the world and the audience everything she’s capable of… much like Dr. Frank-N-Furter.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the podcast episode featuring Luke Evans and Sam Pinkleton discussing The Rocky Horror Show
General Beginner Questions
Q What is this podcast episode about
A Its a conversation with actor Luke Evans and directorchoreographer Sam Pinkleton about their experience reviving the classic cult musical The Rocky Horror Show for a new production
Q Who are Luke Evans and Sam Pinkleton
A Luke Evans is a wellknown actor starring as FrankNFurter Sam Pinkleton is a Tonynominated director and choreographer responsible for the shows overall staging and dance numbers
Q Do I need to know Rocky Horror to enjoy this podcast
A Not at all The episode is great for both longtime fans and newcomers They discuss the shows legacy while explaining their fresh approach
Q Where can I listen to this podcast
A Its likely available on major platforms like Apple Podcasts Spotify or the official website of the theater company or publication that produced it
About the Production Creative Choices
Q Why revive The Rocky Horror Show now
A As discussed in the episode they felt the timeless themes of selfexpression sexuality and rebellion are especially resonant today They wanted to honor the original while making it feel alive and dangerous for a modern audience
Q Whats different about this production compared to the movie or past stage shows
A Luke and Sam talk about stripping away some of the wellworn clichés to rediscover the raw punkrock heart of the story They focus on character depth and a live rock concert energy rather than just copying the 1975 film
Q How did Luke Evans approach playing such an iconic character like FrankNFurter
A He discusses moving beyond pure imitation of Tim Curry He focused on the characters magnetism intelligence and vulnerability aiming to make the role his own while respecting its legacy
Q What was Sam Pinkletons biggest directorial challenge
A He likely mentions balancing audience expectations with innovation Choreographing familiar numbers like the Time Warp in a new way that still gets everyone dancing