Episode Overview

Title: Why Luke Evans is a safe choice for ROCKY HORROR | Thoughts on the Broadway Revival's Frank n Furter
Host: MickeyJoTheatre
Release Date: October 31, 2025

In this episode, Mickey Jo reacts to and analyzes the just-announced casting of Luke Evans as Dr. Frank N. Furter in the upcoming Broadway revival of The Rocky Horror Show. The discussion dives deep into the context, implications, and broader conversations around what it means to cast a queer but cis male star—especially in the current fraught climate for trans representation and rights in the theater industry and beyond. Mickey Jo breaks down audience reactions, industry chatter, and brings a nuanced perspective to the highly charged casting conversation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The News & Context (00:00–13:00)

• Announcement Recap
  • Luke Evans, a prominent Welsh actor known for both stage and screen, is officially cast as Dr. Frank N. Furter in the 2026 Broadway revival of The Rocky Horror Show, directed by Sam Pinkleton.
  • Press release highlights:
    • “Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show to be directed by Sam Pinkleton... heading to Studio 54, with performances beginning March 26, 2026.” (02:35)
    • Limited engagement through June 21st, post-Tony Awards; more casting TBA.
• Industry Context
  • Halloween timing for announcement—Rocky Horror as a cult, seasonally relevant property.
  • This revival comes amidst a wave of major Broadway revivals (Ragtime, Chess, Mamma Mia!, Beetlejuice, and Cats: The Jellicle Ball).
• Creative Team
  • Collaboration between Tony-winning creatives, with a focus on fresh design, music, choreography (notably, Annie Taj for choreography and David Israel Reynoso from Sleep No More for costumes).

2. Who is Luke Evans? (13:01–18:30)

• Background Recap
  • British stage roots (Taboo, Avenue Q, Miss Saigon, Rent Remix).
  • Broader fame through screen roles: Gaston in live-action Beauty and the Beast, roles in The Hobbit movies, and dramatic theatre return (Backstairs Billy).
  • Openly gay; recognized for presence, charisma, and crossover appeal.
• Why He's a “Safe Choice”
  • “With a role like Frank N. Furter, what you need more than anything else is status and presence and impact and star power... it's not a tremendously demanding sing, but it asks a lot in terms of confidence, ownership, charisma, and connection with an audience.” (16:45)

3. The Broadway Community Reacts: Reddit, Socials, “Backlash” (18:31–25:00)

• General Online Vibes
  • Predominantly positive reactions on r/Broadway and Rocky Horror subreddits.
    • “They have my ass in that seat and all the money they want. Don’t tell them that because you know dynamic pricing will get you.” (19:22)
    • “Luke Evans started in musicals, so this is a homecoming.” (19:57)
    • “Cool. But isn’t Rocky supposed to be hotter than Frank N. Furter? Are they casting Chris Hemsworth as Rocky?” (20:09)
    • “Would have loved a trans or drag actor for this; feel like they fumbled the bag a bit. Despite Luke being an incredible actor.” (21:01)
    • “I definitely thought he was straight... for Broadway with this show and role feels off. Not saying straight actors can’t play the role, but with a Broadway cast I’m glad to see it’s a queer actor.” (21:45)
  • Mixture of tongue-in-cheek, excited, and thoughtful critique about the social responsibility of casting.
• Underlying Critique
  • Some questioning why a trans or drag actor wasn't chosen given the role's history and current climate.

4. The Casting Debate: Queer, Trans, and Authenticity in Representation (25:01–45:00)

• Mickey Jo’s Stance
  • Frank N. Furter is Not Explicitly a Trans Character:
    • “Transvestitism and transgender identity are still distinct concepts.” (26:10)
    • Points to the historical context and the character’s exaggerated, problematic behaviors.
  • Political Context Matters:
    • “Right now, in the political climate, we do not want an explicitly transgender Frank N. Furter. I think that would actually be more detrimental than it would be uplifting or celebratory or positive representation.” (28:11)
    • Because Frank is a hypersexualized, transgressive, even predatory figure, Mickey Jo fears that casting a trans actor now could feed malicious narratives about the trans community: “...taking that role and being like this should be a trans role... I don’t think that is a good idea right now. I truly do not think that that is positive representation.” (29:06)
    • Suggests that a more nuanced, “safer” approach is best in 2025, given the vilification of the trans community.
• Alternative Suggestions
  • Advocates for strong inclusion of trans and nonbinary talent in other principal and ensemble roles:
    • “Give me a trans Janet. Give me someone like Dylan Mulvaney as Janet... have them both be played by trans, feminine, transmasc or non-binary actors. I think that would be cool and edgy and actually far more of a statement than just having a trans Frank N. Furter.” (32:37)
  • Calls out the potential of Jinkx Monsoon as Magenta and hopes for a vibrant, intersectional ensemble.

5. Notable Quotes from Industry Voices (45:01–55:00)

• Richard O'Brien (show creator):
  • “It is music to my ears to hear that a cast of very fine actors is on its way to NYC in order to play, let’s dress up and make believe, sing and dance and uplift the hearts of all those who enjoy the gift of free thinking and the pleasure of love. Break out the fishnets and let’s have a party.” (07:21)
• Sam Pinkleton (director):
  • “I’m giddy to crack this untamable classic open with the razor sharp Luke Evans at the center... Rocky Horror is to me a sublime, ridiculous, giant-hearted act of love. A trashy little musical that means so many things to generations of tender weirdos with mascara streaming down their faces.” (10:59)
• Preston Max Allen (trans playwright):
  • Shared on Instagram: “For many, many reasons, I think Rocky Horror is a property the commercial Broadway industry is completely unprepared and unqualified to touch in this cultural moment. And it’s really effing disheartening that this casting choice has instantly proven me right… Is this really what you think we need right now?” (46:21)
  • Allen’s follow-up: hopes for nuanced, collaborative inclusion of trans and nonbinary artists elsewhere in the production.
• Mickey Jo’s summary thought:
  • “...I genuinely think a bigger problem has actually been sidestepped here and there are going to be better ways of incorporating the trans and nonbinary community meaningfully into the cast of this show.” (38:16)
  • “All the energy that could be poured into pushing back against this piece of casting is better served elsewhere. It’s better served in uplifting trans and nonbinary talent across Broadway.” (55:01)

Memorable Moments

• Opening Humor & Tone:
  • “My notifications have been shivering with antiscia patient. Oh, my God. Hey.” (00:18)
  • Mickey Jo takes a tequila rose shot “to get through this conversation… essentially poisonous yoghurt.” (00:40)
• Candid Apprehension:
  • “I’m also stalling for time because I am apprehensive of this one, but I think it’s a conversation that we need to have, so let’s get started.” (03:15)
• Fan Interactions:
  • Imagining “three dogs in a trench coat in this economy” playing Frank N. Furter. (20:42)
• Wardrobe Note:
  • “I can’t believe I made it through the entire video without explaining… it’s an apron I got from the Rocky Horror UK tour. If anyone’s been baffled the entire time, the illusion is occasionally eerily good.” (56:03)

Important Timestamps

• Main announcement and press release discussion: 01:30–07:00
• Who is Luke Evans?: 13:01–18:30
• Audience and Reddit responses: 18:31–22:00
• Debate on queer and trans casting for Frank N. Furter: 25:01–45:00
• Instagram reactions (Preston Max Allen): 46:21–50:00
• Mickey Jo’s summary and forward-looking thoughts: 53:00–57:00

Conclusion

Mickey Jo’s response to the headline casting of Luke Evans as Frank N. Furter is both appreciative and vigilant. He ultimately argues that, given Rocky Horror's complex legacy and the contemporary political risks attached, Broadway’s “safe” choice avoids some major pitfalls. Mickey Jo looks forward to the rest of the casting, urging that trans and nonbinary actors be included in other key roles to make the revival truly meaningful and resonant for today’s audiences. Throughout, he combines humor, insider knowledge, and compassionate critique—reflecting a theater community seeking not just applause, but accountability and progress.

Listener Call to Action:
Are you excited about this piece of casting? Are you planning to get tickets on Halloween? What do you think about Luke Evans as Frank N. Furter in The Rocky Horror Show? Share your thoughts in the comments, and as always, “have a stagey day!” (56:50)