Jake Shears Steps Into the Heels at Broadway's Rocky Horror Show

Jake Shears, frontman of the band Scissor Sisters, is now the third actor to play Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the current Broadway revival of The Rocky Horror Show at Studio 54. He made his debut in the role on 11 September, Billboard reported this week.

He took over from Paul Soileau, who played the part on Broadway from 25 August to 10 September. Soileau had followed Luke Evans, whose turn in the role was Tony-nominated. The revival, which is also Tony-nominated, is directed by Sam Pinkleton and stars Lorna Courtney. People and Playbill have both named the cast, and Kevin McHale appears alongside Shears.

The timing carries weight. Tim Curry, who was closely linked with the character, died on 25 August at the age of 80, a few weeks before Shears' debut. In his interview with Billboard, Shears described his run as Frank-N-Furter as feeling like a living memorial to Curry. He also talked about his long-standing fondness for the show and about the audience call-and-response lines that have been part of it for decades.

For anyone new to the story, The Rocky Horror Show opened on London's West End in 1973. The 1975 film, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, was directed by Jim Sharman and became a late-night cult favourite. The character of Frank-N-Furter is a gender non-conforming mad scientist, and the role is known for its extravagant costumes. Shears wears six-inch heels in the part, Playbill has reported.

Shears is not new to Broadway. He previously starred as a leading man in Kinky Boots before returning to the stage for this production.

Tickets for the Studio 54 run are on sale through 28 February 2027. Anyone planning to go can check dates and prices with the theatre's box office or ticketing partners before booking.