Stage Review

The Rocky Horror Show (2012 - 2012)

EW's GRADE
B

Details Writer: Richard O'Brien; Director: Christopher Ashley

You don't have to be caught in a time warp to believe that, 25 years later, Rocky remains the best rock musical ever, couching some fairly serious satire about the sexual revolution in camp camouflage. Not to say that it couldn't stand more reinvention than it gets in this revival, updated solely by unremarkable sci-fi costumes, designed in part by Todd Oldham. But modeling lingerie as Frank N. Furter, David Arquette (Scream) — unsteady in heels but assisted in his arch otherworldliness by one outrageously arched Joan Crawford eyebrow — gives perfectly good fey (he'll soon be replaced by Bob Simon). And how many chances will you get to enjoy Richard O'Brien's brilliant score without getting zonked in the head by toast? B+
Originally posted Mar 12, 1999 Published in issue #476 Mar 12, 1999 Order article reprints

Add your comment

The rules: Keep it clean, and stay on the subject or we might delete your comment. If you see inappropriate language, e-mail us. An asterisk * indicates a required field.

500 characters remaining
Advertisement