Broadway Rocky Horror cast performs at NPR Tiny Desk

Members of the Broadway cast of Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show performed live at the NPR offices in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C., on Thursday, October 29, 2026. The event was recorded for the network's Tiny Desk Concert series. Staff and guests attended the session, filling the room in costumes that reflected the show's aesthetic. Outfits included fishnets, corsets, maid uniforms, and 1950s-style greaser and nerd attire.

The cast has spent more than 50 years building a following for the musical and its film adaptation. The production is known for its catchy songs and camp storytelling. It provides a space for fans to find community and express themselves freely. To match this spirit, the production team transformed the Tiny Desk space into a version of the Frankenstein Place from the show.

The musical performance opened with Anania singing "Science Fiction Double Feature." Lorna Courtney and Kevin McHale then performed "Over at the Frankenstein Place." Their vocals portrayed the characters of Brad and Janet. Andres Quintero joined them for the number, adding a vocal timbre that signaled the adventures ahead for the characters. George Salazar sang "Hot Patootie" to an electric, 1950s-tinged arrangement. Lynn Ligammari provided saxophone accompaniment for that track.

Jake Shears performed Frank-N-Furter's ballad "I'm going Home." The set concluded with "The Time Warp." The NPR staff and guests in the room joined in the choreography for this final number. The audience jumped to the left and stepped to the right as part of the performance. The show featured a full band alongside the principal vocalists.

The musical lineup included Jane Cardona on keys and as music director, Nate Brown on guitar, and Winston Roye on bass. Shannon Ford played drums. The group of background vocalists included Jimin Moon, Renée Albulario, Boy Radio, Preston Perez, Star Quezon, Larkin Reilly, and Paul Soileau. Mitra I. Arthur produced the episode. Maia Stern served as director and editor. Josh Newell handled the audio mix. Bobby Carter was the creative director. The production team also included videographers Maia Stern, Joshua Bryant, Kara Frame, and Alanté Serene.

The recording was part of the ongoing Tiny Desk Concert series. The show features artists performing in an intimate setting. This particular episode highlights the Broadway revival of the long-running musical. The cast brought their specific interpretations of the characters to the studio environment. The performance captured the interactive nature of the show for a digital audience.

The full set list included "Science Fiction Double Feature," "Over at the Frankenstein Place," "Hot Patootie," "I'm going Home," and "The Time Warp." The production credits list Suraya Mohamed as executive producer and Sonali Mehta as executive director. Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson, and Robin Hilton are credited as series creators. The copyright for the recording is held by NPR for 2026.