Rosie O’Donnell is stepping into the role of The Narrator in The Rocky Horror Show for two weeks in October. She will play the role from Oct. 6 through Oct. 18, as current Narrator Rachel Dratch takes a short leave from the show. Dratch, who was Tony nominated for her role, is scheduled to return Oct. 20.
O’Donnell takes over the role after appearing Off-Broadway this summer at the Daryl Roth Theatre, where she performed her one-woman show Common Knowledge for 12 performances. She then took over Jimmy Kimmel Live! for a weeklong stint in August.
She has previously appeared on Broadway as Rizzo in Grease, as the Cat in the Hat in Seussical and as Golde in Fiddler on the Roof. She hosted the Tony Awards three times and was well-known for championing theater on the Rosie O’Donnell Show, which she hosted from 1996 through 2002. O’Donnell has also appeared in films such as A League of Their Own, Sleepless in Seattle and Harriet the Spy, as well as appearing in television shows including And Just Like That, Nip/Tuck and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
O’Donnell joins a Broadway cast that currently includes Lorna Courtney as Janet, Amber Gray as Riff Raff, Kevin McHale as Brad, Jimin Moon as Rocky, George Salazar as Eddie/Dr. Scott, Sherie Rene Scott as Magenta, Jake Shears as Dr. Frank-N-Furter and Valentina as Columbia, as well as well as Renée Albulario, Anania, Boy Radio, Tassy Kirbas, Preston Perez, Caleb Quezon, Andres Quintero, Larkin Reilly, Paul Soileau and John Yi.
Directed by Sam Pinkleton, The Rocky Horror Show opened at Studio 54 on April 23, 2026.
