As the anticipation for the 2026 Tony Awards builds, Allure has granted an exclusive backstage pass to the electrifying revival of The Rocky Horror Show, a production that is not merely a theatrical performance but a vibrant testament to self-expression, rebellion, and the transformative power of beauty. This deep dive behind the scenes reveals the meticulous artistry that crafts the show’s famously outlandish and other-worldly hair and makeup, a crucial element in bringing the beloved cult classic to life for a new generation.
A Legacy of Audacity and Evolution
Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show first burst onto the theatrical scene in 1973, a fearless exploration of science fiction and gothic horror tropes that immediately resonated with audiences seeking something beyond the conventional. Its subsequent adaptation into a film two years later cemented its status as a cultural phenomenon, particularly through its revolutionary midnight screenings. These events transformed passive viewing into an interactive ritual, where fans donned iconic costumes, shouted call-backs, and reveled in the show’s unapologetic embrace of the unconventional.
The production’s roots are deeply intertwined with queer and drag culture, a lineage made explicit by its fictional planet of origin, "Transsexual in the galaxy of Transylvania." This foundational element has consistently positioned Rocky Horror as a sanctuary for liberation, freedom, and passion, offering a powerful "come as you are" or "come as you wish to be" message that has welcomed diverse audiences for decades. The 2026 revival, under the visionary direction of Tony Award winner Sam Pinkleton, not only honors this rich legacy but injects it with a fresh, contemporary energy, poised to capture the attention of the upcoming Tony Awards.
Frank-N-Furter Reimagined: Luke Evans’s Transcendent Transformation
The revival’s immediate impact is undeniable, with audiences and critics alike being captivated from the outset. Approximately twenty minutes into the 2026 production, Luke Evans, standing at an imposing 6’8" in sky-high stiletto heels, makes his grand entrance as Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Evans’s portrayal is a masterclass in theatrical presence, immediately squashing any concerns from long-time fans about the revival meeting expectations. His rendition of the iconic "Sweet Transvestite" is a soul-stirring performance that commands the stage.
The visual spectacle of Evans’s Frank-N-Furter is a bold departure from previous iterations, yet deeply respectful of the character’s core essence. Makeup designer Sterling Tull describes the process of developing this look as a collaborative exploration of self-expression, drawing heavily from the vibrant, audacious spirit of the 1980s and ’90s Club Kids. "Drag is so dependent on your self-expression that I wanted that to be communicated through [each performer’s] makeup looks, so I wanted to give the actors the freedom to find those characters," Tull explains. "Some looks were psychotic, some were pretty, some were total Club Kid clowncore, until we settled and found something that they really vibed with and wanted to apply on their face eight shows a week."
For Evans, this meant embracing a dramatic departure from Tim Curry’s original look. Tull opted for bold, painted-on brows, striking seafoam green-glitter eyelids, and a voluminous, shoulder-grazing rock-star shag wig designed by hair and wig designer Alberto "Albee" Alvarado. "The first day I put Luke in Frank-N-Furter makeup, Sam told us to ‘go really small,’ and I said, ‘Great!’ And then I did not go very small; I went very Siouxsie Sioux, Club Kid drag… and Luke loved it," Tull recounts. Evans himself highlights the exaggerated brows and the "sharp, smoky intensity around the eyes" as crucial to his transformation, allowing him to embody Frank’s power to "control the room, seduce everyone, and destroy people a little bit at the same time." He notes the cinematic quality of his Frank, describing him as "beautiful, dangerous, and sexy."
Alvarado’s vision for the wig was equally inspired. "There’s some sort of Christ-like Jesus complex where people are so drawn to him and revere him, and so the long hair, for me, was a nod to that," he explains. The wig’s lived-in texture and looser shape contribute to a more "rock star than cabaret" aesthetic, as Evans puts it, suggesting a character who has been hosting a "beautiful, chaotic party in another dimension" for days. This untamed glamour, Evans believes, makes Frank feel "both more dangerous and more vulnerable," eluding easy categorization. For Evans, the wig is a pivotal element in embodying the character: "The second it goes on, my posture changes, my energy changes, and Frank arrives."
Thematic Resonance in Every Strand and Stroke
The design choices extend beyond aesthetics, weaving thematic depth into the characters’ appearances. The visible green roots on Frank-N-Furter’s wig are a deliberate artistic choice by Alvarado, symbolizing a journey of self-acceptance. "I always hoped that [the roots] would be green to show that [Frank] was trying to cover up what he really was, and now he’s starting to embrace it, and he’s starting to see his true self with his real green hair coming in," Alvarado explains. This visual metaphor underscores Frank-N-Furter’s liberation from societal constraints and his embrace of his authentic desires.
This commitment to intricate detail and thematic expression is evident across the entire cast. The show’s Phantoms, the ensemble members who act as a Greek chorus, are designed with individual "flavorful notes of ‘Club Kid clowncore’," according to Tull. Inspired by icons of queer culture like Amanda Lepore, their wigs, featuring soft pinks and blondes with tinsel highlights, represent a conscious effort to imbue these traditionally background characters with personality and significance. Alvarado emphasizes their importance: "[The Phantoms] are such a heartbeat of this show."
Columbia: A Vaudevillian Queen
Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, as Columbia, embodies the show’s opulent spirit. Tull drew inspiration from vaudevillian performers and tragic Hollywood starlets like Sharon Tate, noting the parallel between Tate’s fate and Columbia’s in the narrative. This influence manifests in Columbia’s makeup: colorful, exaggerated eyebrows, pastel blush visible from afar, and abundant glitter. The use of purple hues signifies royalty, while gold shimmer on Rodriguez’s eyes pays homage to the original production, creating a regal yet theatrical persona.
Alvarado’s interpretation of Columbia’s iconic bright red hair features updated finger waves and short pigtails. "We wanted to keep [Rodriguez’s] playfulness," Alvarado adds, pointing to the haphazardly placed hair decorations that contrast with Columbia’s inherent regality, adding a spirited dimension to her character.
Riff Raff and Eddie: Embracing the Androgynous and the Punk
The revival’s commitment to exploring gender fluidity is particularly apparent in the portrayal of Riff Raff by Amber Gray. Alvarado and Tull intentionally acknowledged Gray, a woman of color, taking on this traditionally male role, embracing a "drag king reality." Alvarado focused on silhouette, collaborating with Gray on a wig of firmly set blonde braids that honor her hair type and the original character’s form. Gray describes the wig as "an honoring of my hair [as someone who is] biracial… It’s the perfect combination in keeping a wig that would be made for my hair type as well as the original silhouette."
Tull’s makeup for Riff Raff is described as "alien punk," utilizing heavy contouring, black lipstick, and darkened teeth to create a skeletal, frightening aesthetic that amplifies Riff Raff’s menacing presence. "The truth is," Gray shares backstage, "that I’m a very outside-in actor. So when I stare in the mirror in my costume, in the wig, and in the makeup, I understand how to play the role."
Harvey Guillén’s dual performance as Eddie and Dr. Scott provides another fascinating study in transformation. For Eddie, the rock-and-roll ghost, Tull drew inspiration from "over the top" old Broadway makeup, most notably in Guillén’s massive, glitter-dusted black eyebrows. Tull explains that many characters within the castle, including Eddie, share a similar eye shape, reflecting an "infection" by Frank-N-Furter’s influence. "These Transylvanians, who might be aliens or might once have been human, have become so deranged over time and become little cultish Frank-N-Furter creatures, and that’s how I really felt about Eddie."
Alvarado’s wig choice for Eddie mirrors classic 1960s biker mullets and updos. His aim was not to make the comedic character laughable, but rather to make Guillén as "hot" as possible. "There’s something so much more powerful about making them look really beautiful and letting them be funny by choice," Alvarado states. This approach elevates Eddie’s comedic impact by grounding it in a powerful visual presence.
The swift transformation between Eddie and Dr. Scott highlights the creative team’s ingenuity. Guillén begins the show as Dr. Scott, only to race to the basement for a rapid transformation into Eddie for his pivotal scene. He then reverses the process to return as Dr. Scott for the remainder of the performance, a testament to the seamless execution of the show’s demanding technical and artistic requirements.
Rocky: The Dazzling Specimen
Josh Rivera as Rocky, the creation of Frank-N-Furter, embodies a deliberate subversion of traditional portrayals. Tull envisioned a "femme Rocky," and Rivera found that in full "baby doll glam," he felt "never as masculine." The makeup, designed by Tull, reflects Rocky’s nascent existence: "Rocky is seven hours old; they were just born today," Tull explains. "So the makeup needed to explain that. This person put on this makeup without any knowledge of makeup, but they’re doing it because it makes them feel good; it makes them feel sexy." This is achieved through bright pink blushed cheeks, baby blue eyeshadow, and bold bottom lashes, creating a youthful, radiant glow.
Rivera embraces the artistic freedom his makeup chart offers, exploring the possibilities of vibrant blush and abundant glitter. "During previews, I started [extending the blush] to my nose too, so I get a little Rudolf-chic kind of thing. I just think it’s cheeky," he jokes, adding, "We are singlehandedly propping up the glitter industry right now."
Alvarado’s wig for Rocky deliberately mimics the appearance of bleached hair with visible roots, preserving the "hunk aesthetic" while maintaining a realistic, lived-in quality. This nuanced approach ensures that Rocky remains a captivating and visually compelling character, central to the show’s otherworldly allure.
A Spotlight on Glitter and Genius
The Rocky Horror Show‘s 2026 revival stands as a powerful testament to the enduring legacy of a groundbreaking work, seamlessly blending its iconic past with a vibrant, contemporary vision. The meticulous attention to detail in its hair and makeup design is not merely cosmetic; it is integral to the narrative, reinforcing themes of liberation, self-expression, and the challenging of norms. As the show continues to enchant audiences at Broadway’s Studio 54 through the fall, it’s clear that the dazzling spectacle, amplified by pounds of glitter and inspired artistry, reflects a profound celebration of individuality and a truly marvelous sight to behold. The production’s artistic achievements position it as a strong contender for accolades at the upcoming Tony Awards, recognizing its contribution to theatrical innovation and its profound cultural impact.
