Brittany Goldfield-Rodrigues
Editorial Intern
Dancing cupcakes, men in elaborate costumes and six-inch heels have made their way from Australia to the Toronto stage in the Princess of Wales theatre’s new musical, Priscilla Queen of the Desert.
Highlighting the personalities of three very different drag queens, Priscilla Queen of the Desert is packed with clever jokes and music that makes you want to get up and dance.
This fun-filled musical, based on the 1994 Australian film of the same name, tells the story of three friends who take a trip from Sydney, Australia to Atlantic City.
When their tour bus – modestly named Priscilla – breaks down on the way, the trio is forced to come face-to-face with characters who have never been exposed to men in elaborate female costumes.
Priscilla Queen of the Desert is nothing less than over-the-top, a difficult feat considering the let’s- burst-into-song-and-perform-perfectly-synchronized-choreography element of most musicals. Whether this is good or bad depends on the viewer.
For people who are accustomed to the extravagance of musical theatre, the exaggerated characters add even more humor to lines that on their own are hilarious.
“Why don’t you just light your tampon and blow your box apart? Because it’s the only bang your ever gonna get, sweetheart.”
Imagine that line delivered by a man dressed in your grandmother’s attire, and you get the point.
The over-the-top ways of the Broadway-bound musical also made for some serious eye candy. The set was bright and beautiful and the costumes were out of this world. Have you ever seen anyone dance in a paintbrush costume? Before seeing this show, neither had I.
The writing and artistic direction were jaw-droppingly brilliant, and the acting chops of Broadway star Will Swenson, Nick Adams and Priscilla Queen of the Desert veteran Tony Sheldon – who played Bernadette in the original Austra- lian stage production – are sure to impress.
Swenson delivered as main char- acter Tick/Mitzi, and Sheldon’s acting was just as fresh and humorous as when the musical was first put on stage. Adams is a new and hot addition to Broadway with a stellar voice.
Complete with a charming love story, Priscilla Queen of the Desert is sure to get many laughs. Apart from the stunning scenery, crazy attire and the brilliant acting of the drag trio, the show’s writing is breathtaking. You’ll laugh so hard that you just might forget to take a second to breathe.
Priscilla Queen of the desert is showing until Jan. 2, 2011. Student rush tickets are available two hours before each performance for $25 (cash only) with student ID.
