FOX’s fall production of Rocky Horror Picture Show has added a Broadway star to the cast. Annaleigh Ashford is now set to appear as Columbia, the very glittery castle member who was original portrayed by Nell Campbell in the 1975 cult classic. Although star of the original film Tim Curry, who will serve as the narrating criminologist for the TV revival, has been nominated for three Tony Awards (Amadeus, My Favorite Year, and Spamelot), Ashford will be the first bonafide Tony winner to join in on all the crazy, kooky fun.
Ashford is probably best known for her recurring role on Showtime drama Masters of Sex, where she consistently puts all her snark on display as former hooker and current receptionist Betty. Outside of that gig, she’s been a consistent presence on the Broadway stage for years. After receiving acclaim for her lead turns as Elle Woods in Legally Blond and Lauren in Kinky Boots, she finally got the most sought after trophy for denizens of the stage for her performance in You Can’t Take It With You. With that stage experience, it should be no stretch of the imagination that she will be able to bring all of Columbia’s requisite campiness and style to the show.
The rest of the cast as it stands is chock full of fun young up-and-comers and impressive veteran performers. Victoria Justice and Ryan McCartan are set to play unsuspecting passersby Janet and Brad, respectively, while castle handyman Riff Raff will be portrayed by Penny Dreadful‘s Reeve Carney. Former American Idol standout Adam Lambert will play Eddie, while newcomer Staz Nair (what a name!) will take on the titular Rocky. Most exciting of all, Orange Is The New Black favorite and red carpet stunner Laverne Cox has the honor of inhabiting the lead role of Dr. Frank N. Furter, the puppeteer responsible for all of the castle shenanigans that play out over one stormy night.
Production for the show hasn’t even started yet, but it’s safe to say that we are more than ready to do the time warp again and again now that all these talented performers are ready to dance it out on screen.
(via Entertainment Weekly)
