From the moment three women wearing shiny gowns and sporting outrageously tall hair begin to sing “It’s Raining Men” while suspended in the air, it is clear that Priscilla Queen of the Desert is a musical unlike any other on Broadway.
Priscilla is the stage adaptation of the 1994 Oscar Award winning movie The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert directed by Stephan Elliott. The musical follows the adventures of two drag queens and a transsexual as they road trip across Australia to bring one of the drag queens, Tick (played by Will Swenson), to meet his son for the first time. The trio pack their glitter and wigs and pile into an outrageously painted bus they dub “Priscilla” (complete with a stiletto perched atop its roof) for an adventure full of singing, dancing, and new friendships.
The actors light up the stage with their interactions and musical numbers. Tick, Adam (played by Nick Adams) and Bernadette (played by Tony Sheldon) portray these colorful characters with an undying energy. Tony Sheldon gives a particularly standout performance as the elder transsexual who exudes confidence and wisdom that comes with inhabiting her chosen female identity for many years. The voice of reason during the road trip, Sheldon binds the play together with his flawless channeling of Bernadette’s inherent strength.
Visually, Priscillais stunning. The costumes and the sets dazzle with bright colors and glittery details. From the gigantic revolving Priscillabus to the flurry of dance moves, the audience has plenty to marvel at. Adding to the visual effects on stage are the outrageous costumes designed by Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner. This show has a wardrobe that even Lady Gaga would envy! The sky is the limit in terms of what the characters wear–gigantic headdresses and dresses made entirely from flip flops are just the beginning. Particularly stunning are the three Divas, reminiscent of a Greek chorus (narrators of a play), who have a penchant for hanging suspended from the top of the stage in shiny gowns and mile high hair.
Priscilla is a jukebox musical–meaning that it uses popular songs as its music. Priscillaseems to borrow heavily from 80’s classics, some of which might not be recognizable to younger viewers. Even though some numbers may be unfamiliar, sandwiched between these songs are beloved favorites such as the aforementioned The Weather Girls’ “It’s Raining Men” and Madonna’s “Like a Prayer”. A hazard of following a jukebox musical format for many shows is falling prey to a subpar plot line simply dominated by the music. Yet, Priscilla makes every song its own, with the cast interpreting the songs with their unique passion. A strong script by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott and the command of a strong orchestra led by Jeffrey Klitz help Priscilla hold its own.
Nick Adams gives an especially powerful performance as the drag queen Adam (also known as Felicia). During one particularly intense scene in which the trio get attacked by a group of local men while performing at a roadside bar, Adams takes off his wig and gently weeps, showing us the delicate side of this seemingly indestructibly confident character. With his quiet fragility, Adams gives a heart wrenching portrayal of a character who, underneath the layers of glitter, is simply a human trying to determine where he belongs.
With all of its glitz and outrageous numbers, Priscilla is a show that should not be missed! Director Simon Phillips has created a smart, funny, and lovable cast of characters that will stay with you long after the final curtain has dropped.