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Rocky Horror: Trashy Musical Meets Studio 54 Glitz
22 Aug
Summary
- Set design aimed for 'trashy' aesthetic, avoiding 'too nice' look.
- Costumes honored character iconography with a modern twist.
- Design blended 'Rocky Horror' with Studio 54 and party store vibes.

The design collective dots initially exceeded budget for the current Broadway revival of "The Rocky Horror Show," prompting a strategic simplification. Founders emphasized the musical's inherent "trashy little musical" quality, a characteristic embedded since its 1973 London debut and embraced by fans of the 1975 film. Making the set "too nice" was identified as a design pitfall, echoing a similar sentiment for the world of Studio 54.
Directed by Sam Pinkleton, the production garnered nine Tony Award nominations, including for dots' set design and Reynoso's costume design. Reynoso aimed to evoke "Rocky Horror's" strong visual iconography without strict adherence, blending recognizable film elements into unexpected places. The set features a silver duct hose motif, suggesting Rocky's creation. Characters' outfits appear self-cobbled, and the space itself, with fake candles, resembles a fusion of "Rocky Horror," Studio 54, and a party-supply store.