His singing talents helped him land stage work, in a production of Grease 1983 and a two-year run 1986-88 as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in a touring production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. "It's the only show that kept my interest, and that's because it changed every night because of the audience reaction," he told Interview in 1997.  

Russell starred in a string of musicals including RHPS and Grease.  Unfortunately, I only have a few shot of him in The Rocky Horror Picture Show.  None from Grease and sadly none in drag.  

Russell told about one night while playing in RHPS, he was in drag and there were some men in the audience heckling him.  He finally said something to the effect that they would make lousy drag queens cause no amount of makeup could cover those faces.  After the play one of his co-stars came to him and said the men were in the pub next door looking for him.  Well, Russell being Russell, he went to the pub.  It turned out they were drag queens and wanted to buy him a drink. 

Russell said in an interview that his music career lead to musicals, and that musicals somehow got him offered a movie role.  So his fans can be very thankful for his music, because it led to not only Thirty Odd Foot of Grunts, but his wonderful movie career as well. (for more information on Thirty Odd Foot of Grunts following the TOFOG icon orvisit www.gruntland.com)

"I did 458 performances. I was Eddie and Dr. Scott for about 400 performances and about 58 as Frank N. Furter. I was the understudy (for Frank) when the understudy's nightmare came true. I actually had to go on without any rehearsal, I didn't even bother to try out my shoes. I figured the other guy would do his gig. I only agreed to it because it was an extra $50 a week. So, suddenly, bang, I'm on as Frank."

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