1st Priscilla review Toronto

[sabrelady]

Posted: 10/26/10 at 10:57pm

Toronto Star POV-




Hope they get all the flubs out b4 B'way.

Priscilla Review Updated On: 10/26/10 at 10:57 PM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 10/26/10 at 11:11pm

Does the stage version take place in Australia?

[theatreguy]

Posted: 10/26/10 at 11:15pm

Yes it does.

[Tag]

Posted: 10/26/10 at 11:18pm

Preliminary review - mixed
Globe & Mail

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 10/26/10 at 11:30pm

I have to say that I totally agree with Richard, as usual. The show is fast-moving and involving. We really care about these characters and it makes the final scene between father and son particularly poignant.

If anything some of the early scenes are a bit too rushed, particularly the funeral scene which is played is played for laughs. This is a very minor quibble, because the whole show moves with great speed and focused storytelling. There are no dead spots. The eye-popping costumes, the lighting, special effects, the bus and the spectacle are all wonderful, but that is just the window dressing. There is a story here about some vulnerable people who try to mask the hurts they have faced. That’s what made the movie so winning and it works very well here too.

This will be a huge crowd-pleaser on Broadway, run a long time and maybe even win a few Tony awards for some of the performances. Given some of the other musicals set to open this season it is way too early to predict its chances for Best Musical, but it doesn’t have that kind of feel. (Of course, I said the same thing last fall about MEMPHIS but when no other show came along to eclipse it, it ended up winning.) Nevertheless, I can easily see PRISCILLA having a long and profitable run. It is a ridiculous amount of fun!

I have posted a full review to the Toronto board, but overall the production is in excellent shape and ready for its move to New York. (Too bad it can't stay here longer for it is bound to be a sell-out for the rest of its stay.)

The one technical glitch that stopped the show for a few moments early in Act Two was masterfully handled by C.David Johnson and generated some extra laughs for the heavily comped mostly industry audience. (I felt at a disadvantage- so many people there told me that had already seen it at least once in previews. Am I the only one who waits for opening night anymore?)

[hubee]

Posted: 10/27/10 at 1:51am

Re G&M Review. I know it's subject to change but 3/4 stars is considered mixed?
I know he brings up a few nitpicks but...

[canmark]

Posted: 10/27/10 at 7:01am

Was at the opening night, having seen already seen the show at the first preview. Will post a couple of comments on the Toronto board tonight, but wanted to mention a couple of interesting sightings:

Will Swenson still isn't quite doing it for me as Tick/Mitzi, and the guy I think would work just happened to be there: Gavin Creel! What was Gavin Creel doing in Toronto, I couldn't help wondering? Did he come up for personal reasons, or was he brought up to see the show by the producers?

Comedy writer Bruce Villanch was also in attendance, and I similarly wondered if he was attending for personal or professional reasons.

If anyone has inside dish, please spill it.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 10/27/10 at 7:29am

Good lord, not every person whos works in Musical, writing, film, Tv etc is there to replace someone or rework a show. Creel and Swenson are friends, he was probably there to support him.

[alterego]

Posted: 10/27/10 at 8:35am

Bruce Villanch of course is a writer friend of Producer Bette Midler so maybe he is there to "punch up" the dialogue with a few witty oneliners.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 10/27/10 at 8:41am

Agree w that re Creel. It's not that big a ticket from New York.

Just curious- how are they doing the scene on Ayers rock? Whe I saw it there was no set or projection and when the gals came out in thewith their rig on (w Blundstone boots!) it took me a full minute to realize it was the " in a frock on a rock with my c*ck" scene!

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 10/27/10 at 8:45am

Gavin was in town for the Actors' Fund benefit for Marc Kimelman on Monday night.

[Tigger]

Posted: 10/27/10 at 9:55am

The Globe reviewer is an ignorant dork with his nitpicks. I was there last night and the audience gave the show a five minute screaming,cheering ovation unlike any in recent memory I've seen in Toronto in many a year. There may have been industry types there, but I was there with friends who bought tickets as I did and we can't wait to see the show again as we are immediately buying tickets to see it again before it ends its run on Jan 2nd before Broadway. The cast is brilliant,the costumes and design beyond awesome and the feel good high you come out with priceless. Ouzounian hits the nail on the head when in his review he says:
"Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical is a grand, glorious and gorgeous piece of musical theatre that will fill the heart of anyone who has ever loved — or wanted to be loved " Amen to that!!

[homeimp]

Posted: 10/27/10 at 10:13am

I'm afraid I disagree with Richard far more than I agree with him. No doubt after 50 years of theatre-going my tastes are deplorable.

[Tag]

Posted: 10/27/10 at 10:38am

Creel's writing/musical partner Robbie Roth is also from Toronto, so maybe they are writing/recording?

Posted: 10/27/10 at 11:18am

Those reviews both read as raves to me- at the very least, solid "MONEY" reviews.

[Shmactor]

Posted: 10/27/10 at 12:23pm

I too mostly disagree with Richard and even more so with that little pompous twerp who can't spell at the Globe. However after having seen the show in previews last week (and after which I immediately rushed out to buy tickets for friends and family as Xmas presents) on this one I couldn't agree with him more. The show is one great big riot of fun,dazzle and music that I think most people will find irresistible unless they are near-death or dead and even then this show might even resuscitate them!

Updated On: 10/27/10 at 12:23 PM

[canmark]

Posted: 10/27/10 at 8:35pm

Thanks for the info re: Gavin Creel. I do still think he would make a better Tick/Mitzi, but that's just my opinion.

Tony Sheldon's partner Tony has posted some great pics and comments on the Priscilla opening night and after party on their blog. Apparently Bette Midler was not to be seen, but Audra McDonald was. Ack, I wish I got to see her!

http://ttsheldy.blogspot.com/2010/10/la-nuit-des-nuits.html

[mee.who]

Posted: 10/27/10 at 8:48pm

There are also pictures from last night up here:
http://www.broadway.com/shows/priscilla-queen-desert/photos/priscilla-celebrates-in-style-with-a-fabulous-opening-night-in-toronto/156839/priscilla-opening-in-toronto-cc-tony-sheldon-will-swenson-nick-adams

(Audra was there to support Will Swenson. They've been together for several years now)

Can't wait to see this next month!

[uncageg]

Posted: 10/28/10 at 1:34pm

mee.who. I think they have only been together for a few years. I think her divorce was final in 2009.

[mee.who]

Posted: 10/28/10 at 10:19pm

Ah, okay, thanks! I think they'd been friends for a while so it seems longer

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 10/28/10 at 10:46pm

Nick Adams's partner is SMOKING!

[Patash]

Posted: 10/29/10 at 9:42pm

I'm curious to hear from those who have seen the show in London. Any major changes -- I believe the opening number has been changed to It's Raining Men -- anything else?

I love that the "you are here" and arrow on the show curtain has moved from upper left hand corner in London to upper right hand corner in Toronto -- as it should be.

[Patash]

Posted: 10/30/10 at 10:58am

Never mind. Someone on the West End board has clarified that they have totally changed the Kylie thing to Madonna which made a number of song changes.