In October, NPR transformed its Washington, D.C. headquarters into a version of the Frankenstein Place to celebrate the Broadway revival of Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show. The live performance brought costumed fans and a cast together for an intimate Tiny Desk concert featuring iconic tracks from the five-decade-old classic.
The Bottom Line
- NPR hosted a special Tiny Desk concert dedicated to Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show.
- The live setlist included classic numbers such as “Science Fiction Double Feature,” “Hot Patootie,” and “The Time Warp.”
- Performers included Lorna Courtney, Kevin McHale, George Salazar, Jake Shears, Anania, and Andres Quintero.
Transforming the NoMa Office into the Frankenstein Place
Visitors entering the NPR offices in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C., in October encountered patrons dressed in fishnets, corsets, maid outfits, and ’50s-style greaser gear. The staging celebrated more than 50 years of The Rocky Horror Show and its film adaptation, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. For over 50 years, the property has offered audiences a space for community and self-expression. The Tiny Desk production embraced that camp spirit by bringing together an in-room audience of staff and guests.
Also you guys… Rocky horror’s tiny desk comes out tomorrow and I got to sing science fiction double feature 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹 pic.twitter.com/h65jM3uYJD
Inside the Live Setlist Performances
The musical journey through the Frankenstein Place kicked off with “Science Fiction Double Feature,” featuring effervescent vocals by Anania. Lorna Courtney and Kevin McHale then inhabited the naive sweetness of young lovers Brad and Janet for “Over at the Frankenstein Place,” supported by Andres Quintero’s vocal styling. George Salazar delivered an electric, ’50s-tinged rendition of “Hot Patootie,” punctuated by Lynn Ligammari’s grooving saxophone. Meanwhile, Jake Shears provided a captivating and heartbreaking performance of Frank-N-Furter’s ballad “I’m Going Home.” The session naturally culminated with the audience joining in to perform “The Time Warp.”
| Song Title | Lead Vocalists / Performers |
|---|---|
| “Science Fiction Double Feature” | Anania |
| “Over at the Frankenstein Place” | Lorna Courtney, Kevin McHale, Andres Quintero |
| “Hot Patootie” | George Salazar, Lynn Ligammari (Saxophone) |
| “I’m Going Home” | Jake Shears |
| “The Time Warp” | Full Ensemble and In-Room Audience |
Production Credits and Musical Ensemble
The live band featured Jane Cardona on keys and music director, Nate Brown on guitar, Winston Roye on bass, Shannon Ford on drums, and Lynn Ligammari on saxophone. Background vocals were provided by Jimin Moon, Renée Albulario, Boy Radio, Preston Perez, Star Quezon, Larkin Reilly, and Paul Soileau. The team included producer Mitra I. Arthur, director/editor Maia Stern, audio director/mix Josh Newell, creative director Bobby Carter, videographers Maia Stern, Joshua Bryant, Kara Frame, and Alanté Serene, audio engineer Valentina Rodríguez Sánchez, production assistant Ashley Pointer, photographer Zayrha Rodriguez, animator Jackie Lay, copy editor Daoud Tyler-Ameen, Tiny Desk team Dora Levite and Dhanika Pineda, series editor Lars Gotrich, executive producer Suraya Mohamed, executive director Sonali Mehta, and series creators Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson, and Robin Hilton.
