Andrew Durand On ‘The Rocky Horror Show’ “Wonderment,” “Disappointing” Tony Category Misplacement [VIDEO]

In the buoyant revival of Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show, currently wowing audiences at Studio 54 on Broadway, Tony nominee Andrew Durand takes on the role of Brad Majors, a sweet and naive young man who, before the show is over, gets to explore a sensual side he never knew he had and also wave his freak flag—a high compliment for a character in a very queer-positive show. He also gets to share some flirty moments with Stephanie Hsu’s Janet as well as Luke Evans’ commanding Frank-N-Furter—one in particular that might shock a few tourists.

Not surprisingly for anyone who knows his work, Durand wholly immerses himself into the role, creating quite the arc for Brad and ultimately coming to the conclusion, in his rousing rendition of the lost gem “Once in a While,” that “After the night there’s a brand new day.” Read my full review of the show HERE.

Durand’s take on Brad is one of the most impressive performances in a lackluster season for musicals. Yet when Tony time came around, Durand was left off the list, mostly because the committee decided to place him in lead–a case of category fraud–and whatever the reason (and it might have been political) it was unfair to the actor. Also back in 2001, with the first revival of Rocky Horror, both Brad and Janet’s characters were considered Featured. When queried about it, Durand spoke frankly, “…Because I’d just done it with Dead Outlaw I was hyper focused on that so I was disappointed when I saw about the category and I was like, well there’s no way I can compete in that category given what the other actors have as their material. I sing one solo number in my show.” But he also sweetly shrugs it off, “When something like that doesn’t go your way, well, that’s okay…it’s not personal. Nobody’s coming at me and trying to hurt my feelings. It’s just how it goes sometimes.”

He did receive his lone nomination last year when he starred in Broadway best and boldest new musical of that season (and the last few years), Dead Outlaw, a transfer from off-Broadway’s Minetta Lane Theater. Durand played the challenging role of Elmer McCurdy, a lawless scoundrel who spends a large chunk of the show dead in a coffin—eyes open. The performance was a master class in nuance as well as sheer concentration. The show received seven Tony nominations, but, sadly, won none, and closed shortly thereafter.

In 2022, he starred in Shucked, the surprisingly fabulous musical about…corn, winningly playing the sexy, somewhat cocky Beau whose song, “Somebody Will,” summed the character up pretty nicely:

“I’m an old fashioned guy in an old fashioned world, Up until now I had an old fashioned girl, I’m a damn good man and my crops get tilled, If she don’t want me well, Somebody will.”

Shucked was nominated for eight Tonys, but egregiously, Durand was not among the chosen–once again placed in the wrong category–this time Featured when he was so obviously Lead.

His other Broadway shows include: Ink (2019), Head Over Heels (2018), War Horse (2012) and his debut in Spring Awakening (2008).

Some of his off-Broadway work: The Burnt Part Boys, Yank!, The Nightingale, The Wild Bride, Love’s Labour Lost, Gigantic, The Robber Bridegroom, Assassins (Encores!), Titanic (Encores!), Bat Boy the Musical (Encores!) and Little Shop of Horrors. In 2011, he played the male lead in the West End stage adaptation of Jacques Demy’s The Umbrellas of Cherbourg.

Durand appeared in the indie film Here Today. His TV credits include Madam Secretary, NCIS: New Orleans, Law & Order, Organized Crime and Servant.

For TIX visit ROCKY HORROR

The Contending had blast VIDEO chatting with Durand about the show, the Tonys and his career.