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‘My Whole Life Has Been the Audition’: Jake Shears Talks ‘Rocky Horror,’ Tim Curry & His ‘One Request’ About Callbacks
Jake Shears has taken over as Frank-N-Furter in the Broadway revival of *The Rocky Horror Show*, bringing a personal connection to a role made iconic by Tim Curry. Shears says Curry’s death, just weeks before his debut, made rehearsals feel like a living memorial, while the production itself remains playful and camp rather than a reverent recreation.
Shears first discovered the show as a teenager and says it helped shape his imagination and his path as a performer, including the Scissor Sisters. He began the role on 11 September at Studio 54, following Paul Soileau and Luke Evans; the revival is directed by Sam Pinkleton and runs eight performances a week. Shears also discusses audience callbacks and his approach to following Curry’s celebrated performance.
In short
- Jake Shears has taken over as Frank-N-Furter on Broadway.
- Tim Curry’s death gave Shears’s debut a memorial quality.
- Shears says *Rocky Horror* helped shape his life as a performer.
Explained simply
The Rocky Horror Show is a stage musical about a young couple who seek shelter at the home of Frank-N-Furter, an eccentric scientist. Its mix of rock music, horror and comedy has made it known for flamboyant costumes and audience participation. Tim Curry played Frank-N-Furter in the original London production and later in the film adaptation, helping make the character widely recognised.
Jake Shears is a singer and performer best known as a member of the Scissor Sisters. He has said that discovering the show as a teenager influenced his creative life. In the Broadway revival at Studio 54, he takes on the role after performers including Paul Soileau and Luke Evans.
The role carries a particular history because audiences often compare new performances with Curry’s. Shears has described balancing that legacy with his own approach, while the revival’s playful style avoids treating the show as a recreation of the earlier performance.