The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again
For many years, threats of a remake of The Rocky Horror Picture Show circulated, much to the chagrin of long-time devotees. After the successful airing of The Rocky Horror Glee Show, Kenny Ortega (best known for directing High School Musical) made good on his intentions to take on the project, in conjunction with Fox and Lou Adler. Adler wisely decided to make it a television project, calling it a re-imagining of the original, hoping to bring it to a new audience without being in direct competition with the original film, which remains a weekly staple in theaters as a midnight movie.
The lead role of Frank N Furtur was given to transgender actress Laverne Cox, who received accolades for her role in the popular Netflix series Orange is the New Black. Long-time Rocky Horror fans were pleased with the news that the film's original star, Tim Curry, had been cast in the role of the Criminologist. This news was especially well-received in light of the fact that Curry is wheel-chair bound following two life-altering strokes. Other cast members of note are veteran actor Ben Vereen (as Dr. Scott) and American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert as Eddie.
The remake debuted on Fox network on October 20, 2016 and featured lavish sets, colorful costumes and its own built-in Audience Participation in the form of an on-screen cheering-squad, reminiscent of the TV studio in the somewhat-sequel Shock Treatment, this time using props and making call backs.
Cast
Laverne Cox - Dr. Frank-N-Furter - A Scientist
Tim Curry - The Criminologist - An Expert
Victoria Justice - Janet Weiss - A Heroine
Ryan McCartan - Brad Majors - A Hero
Reeve Carney - Riff Raff - A Handyman
Christina Milian - Magenta - A Domestic
Annaleigh Ashford - Columbia - A Groupie
Staz Nair - Rocky Horror - A Creation
Adam Lambert - Eddie - Ex-Delivery Boy
Ben Vereen - Dr. Everett V. Scott - A Rival Scientist
Jayne Eastwood - The Butler
Kelly Van der Burg - Betty
Louise Hradsky - Transylvanian
Jeff Mortensen - Transylvanian
Zachary Burke - Transylvanian
Jasmine Renée Thomas - Backup Singer
Teya Wild - Skeleton Crew Dancer
Justin Lopes - Transylvanian: Theatre Patron (uncredited)
