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left to right: Nick Adams (Adam Felicia), Tony Sheldon (Bernadette)
and Will Swenson (Tick/Mitzi) star in 'Priscilla Queen of the Desert'.
note: above photo added to post 8/11 in new advertising campaign
prominently featuring Bette Midler's name as producer and the
three male leads. |
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Priscilla bus interior with the Diva chorus hanging about.
(all images: Joan Marcus) |
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| Nick Adams |
“Life’s an adventure…dress accordingly” is emblazoned over
the lobby boutique selling merchandise for
‘Priscilla Queen of the Desert’ now
playing on Broadway at the Palace Theatre. And the cast does dress to the hilt
in the outlandish styles of more than 500 costumes.
The musical is an adaptation of the 1994 film
“The
Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert”
. Set in Australia, the story
follows the adventures of Tick and two friends, Bernadette and Adam – all drag
queens, as they travel on a bus christened Priscilla from Sydney across the
outback to Alice Springs to perform a show and reunite Tick with his son. Along
the way they gain additional lessons in the meaning of love and friendship
with more than a generous helping of disco songs thrown in and confetti here
and there added for good measure.
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| Will Swenson |
In the role Tick/Mitzi,
Gavin Lodge filled in for an absent
Will Swenson. When reports surfaced that Swenson was cast in the role, it
appeared the choice was in opposition to the casting choices in London. Swenson
has an appearance of being too manly for the role in lieu of the metrosex charms
of
Jason Donovan who originated the role and
Ben Richards who took on the role
during the performance I saw in London by coincidence at London’s Palace
Theatre.
As for Lodge, he fit comfortably in the flamboyant musical
numbers but especially heart warming in the scenes with his ex and son.
Tony Sheldon has turned the role of Bernadette into his own
cottage industry having originated the role in Australia, London, Toronto and
now New York. True he has the advantage of playing the role for several years
but he manages to convey the disappointments and dreams with the life choices
the character has made. His is an outstanding, moving and hilarious
performance.
Nick Adams as Felicia/Adam is the third in the mis-matched road
trip trio.
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| Will Swenson, Nick Adams and Tony Sheldon |
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| Tony Sheldon, Will Swenson and Nick Adams |
With dazzling effect in London, the reveal of Priscilla the
bus as she is lit up in neon pink appeared less impressive to the crowd tonight
compared to the wild reaction at the London performance. However the energy the
cast displays for the ensemble numbers seem boundless. Production values are
top notch with
Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner recreating their Academy Award
winning designs for the stage.
One point of contrast between from London production is
the removal of dialogue about and songs by Australian singer Kylie Minogue
replaced with references to and hits by Madonna. Other additional tweaks have been made to the collection of
songs (such as "Both Sides Now" replaced by "True Colors"). (
Original Broadway Cast
and
Original Australian Cast
available on
amazon.com; a London cast recording is unavailable.)
This production is indeed polished and lightning should have
struck twice with the creative and design team duplicating their roles on
Broadway. But some of the humor appears forced in the end product and the direction
more coy in it aspirations exemplified by advertising featuring the chorus of
divas rather than the three male leads. If the whole endeavor seems manufactured for American audiences it’s Mr. Sheldon who is the talented tent pole holding up the production.
Click
HERE to read my review of the London Production. More production photos after
The DETAILS below.
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| The Company |
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left to right: As the divas - Jacqueline B. Arnold, Anastacia McCleskey
and Ashley Spencer. Original advertising campaign featured the
Divas prominently. |
The DETAILS
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| The Company |
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| Tony Sheldon |
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| Interior of Priscilla bus. |
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| Nick Adams |
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| Tony Sheldon, Will Swenson, Nick Adams. |
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| Will Swenson (center) and the ensemble. |
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| Will Swenson, Tony Sheldon and Nick Adams. |
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| Tony Sheldon |
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| Will Swenson |
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