Perhaps Priscilla will be like Mamma Mia! or Dirty Dancing in that it gets its North American debut in Toronto and spins off a second production that makes a few U.S. stops (Chicago, L.A., San Francisco) before ending up on Broadway.
A risk for Mirvish given the economy and the cost of this production, but if it's unable to sustain an extended run in T.O. I suppose they could move this production and not spin off a second U.S. version.
Which theatre will it go into? PoW? Canon?
And I wonder what the casting will be like?
Coach Bob knew it all along: you've got to get obsessed and stay obsessed. You have to keep passing the open windows. (John Irving, The Hotel New Hampshire)
Yes, it is a sitdown, I was incorrect before. Although there are plans to bring the show to the U.S. (not the Toronto production, but A production). It definitely will not be going into the PoW as The Sound of Music will still be going strong there.
David Mirvish is delighted to announce the North American premiere of one of the hottest new musicals. PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL, written by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott and directed by Simon Phillips, will open in the fall of 2009 in a spectacular production at a Mirvish theatre.
"We are always looking to bring the world's newest and best stage productions to Toronto," says David Mirvish. "When we heard that PRISCILLA, one of the most original, startling and fun-loving films of the '90s, had been adapted into a musical, we rushed to Australia to see it.
"To our delight, the stage production was as special as the film. And seeing the story fleshed out live on stage, with more songs, more costumes, more dancing and more infectious, feel-good cheer, we knew this would be a worldwide phenomenon.
"We are excited to be launching this extraordinary show in Toronto. We will be the show's entry to North America. Our audiences will be able to see it first, as PRISCILLA will be the cornerstone of the 2009-10 Mirvish subscription season.
"We can't tell you the exact dates just yet, nor the theatre where PRISCILLA will eventually park, but we couldn't wait to share the happy news with everyone."
Based on the Oscar-winning film, PRISCILLA tells the story of a glamorous Sydney-based performing trio: Tick, Bernadette and Adam. Traveling across Australia in a battered old bus (nicknamed Priscilla), the three agree to take their show to the middle of the Australian outback.
In a heart-warming, uplifting adventure, these three fishes-out-of-water, searching for love and friendship, end up finding more than they could ever have dreamed.
PRISCILLA features a dazzling array of spectacular and colourful costumes and a score of dance-floor classics, including: I Will Survive, Don't Leave Me This Way, Finally, I Love The Nightlife, Colour My World and Shake Your Groove Thing, all brought to life by the big sound of the live PRISCILLA band.
PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL received its world premiere in Sydney in October, 2006. A smash hit from its very first performance, the production subsequently toured to Melbourne and New Zealand before returning to Sydney for a sensational encore engagement. More than one million people have seen the stage production in Australia, with more than $90 million taken in at the box office, making this the biggest Australian blockbuster in stage history. The European premiere is scheduled for the prestigious Palace Theatre in London's West End in March 2009, with plans afoot for a Swedish production in 2010.
Finding the more than 30 multi-talented cast members for PRISCILLA will not be an easy task. Canadian casting director Stephanie Gorin will travel across the country looking for actors with exceptional singing and dancing abilities. The age range is 20s - 50s, with ensemble performers aged 18-40 and a young boy aged 9-11. Resumes and photos for those wishing to audition can be sent by email to priscillacasting@mirvish.com
For more information visit the Official Website www.priscillathemusical.com
"Stuff Happens" is part of the 2009/2010 Subscription Season its being booked for 10 weeks at the Panasonic Theatre. The Season is going to be announced in the next few weeks.
I guess we are finally saying Good-bye to WWRY. I can't wait for the big announcement.
2012: American Idiot 01/14, In The Heights 02/11, Warhorse 02/18, The Book of Mormon 02/23, The Gershwins Porgy and Bess 02/24, Anything Goes 02/25, Godspell 02/26, Shrek 03/31, Ghost (West End)04/11, Singing In The Rain (West End) 04/12, Matilda (West End) 04/13, Leap of Faith 05/02, Evita 05/03, Jesus Christ Superstar 05/04, Newsies 05/05, The Book Of Mormon 05/06, West Side Story 06/02, Beauty and the Beast 07/07, Million Dollar Quartet 07/28, La Cage 10/13, 10/27 Sister Act, 31/10 Once, 11/01 Rock of Ages, 11/02 Spiderman, 11/03 Newsies, 11/15 Jekyll & Hyde
I obviously meant a good-bye from Toronto, as where the tour goes doesnt concern me, Ive see it my share here, but Im glad it's moving on, and something fresh is coming in. Has anyone heard any other whispers about other possible shows?
2012: American Idiot 01/14, In The Heights 02/11, Warhorse 02/18, The Book of Mormon 02/23, The Gershwins Porgy and Bess 02/24, Anything Goes 02/25, Godspell 02/26, Shrek 03/31, Ghost (West End)04/11, Singing In The Rain (West End) 04/12, Matilda (West End) 04/13, Leap of Faith 05/02, Evita 05/03, Jesus Christ Superstar 05/04, Newsies 05/05, The Book Of Mormon 05/06, West Side Story 06/02, Beauty and the Beast 07/07, Million Dollar Quartet 07/28, La Cage 10/13, 10/27 Sister Act, 31/10 Once, 11/01 Rock of Ages, 11/02 Spiderman, 11/03 Newsies, 11/15 Jekyll & Hyde
Thanks for posting that Star article. I hadn't seen it. So WWRY will be closing and Stuff Happens moving in (just re-read the article and see that Stuff won't move in until October, so WWRY could still play for a while; will it tour after that?). I wonder if Bush leaving office will make people want to see a show about him and his lot more or less? I did like that W. movie, and I did read good things about Stuff Happens. Not sure how much I will want to see it in the re-mount, though. Where will Osage County play? I hope it's not in the bloated Canon. The Royal Alex or Winter Garden would be better size.
Coach Bob knew it all along: you've got to get obsessed and stay obsessed. You have to keep passing the open windows. (John Irving, The Hotel New Hampshire)
With the Crappy 3 Dancap shows, Happy Days, The Grinch, and Anne of Green Gables and a big recession approaching. It would be safe to say maybe a 4-5 Show Mirvish Subcsription Season is what might happen.
Here is a recap.
1.June 2010 Wicked (Canon), 2. Oct 2009 Stuff Happens (Panasonic), 3. Pricilla, 4. Osage County. The last two shows maybe at the Royal Alexandra?
WWRY is touring after Toronto. It has dates booked (but not announced). A booking was already cancelled because it fell through and since the show is continuing to do well in Toronto (and even selling out some performances each week), they keep extending it. Osage needs a big house because it has a weekly running cost equal to a large scale musical (over $600,000). My guess is: Sound of Music continues at the PoW, Dirty Dancing closes before this summer/early summer making way for Priscilla, the Canon hosts incoming tours (like Osage) until Wicked moves in (providing that actually happens), WWRY begins its tour before the summer and the Panasonic gets Stuff Happens in the fall (after it's "short" run, who knows what will happen).
Mary Poppins may be one of the shows in the upcoming season, seeing as Seamless costumes (the costume company owned by Mirvish) is building the majority of the mens costumes for poppins, as well as a handful of womens costumes.
Priscilla may be pushed back due the the recession, seeing as Seamless has yet to hear any information about the build for that show. All they know is its coming up.
Although, Wicked would probably not be part of the subscription. It's been here 2 times and people wouldn't want to see it if they've already seen it a few times. It could be a non subscriber show though like WWRY. Also, Dancap has producing credits for In the Heights. They said they want to bring more shows this season. They just don't have theatre space big enough. Seriously, Mirvish doesn't need 4 theatres.
Richard Ouzonian is reporting Fiddler, Priscilla, Wicked, Stuff Happens and August:Osage Country. And mentions Mary Poppins, The 39 Steps and In the Heights as possibilities. Not bad! What's left for Dancap...? Fiddler on the Roof coming to Toronto in 2009
I think this sounds fantastic...Fiddler is a classic, and I cant wait to see it with Topol...I saw the Harvey Fierstein production in NYC a few years ago..but Topol!...I was really crossing my fingers for Xanadu....
2012: American Idiot 01/14, In The Heights 02/11, Warhorse 02/18, The Book of Mormon 02/23, The Gershwins Porgy and Bess 02/24, Anything Goes 02/25, Godspell 02/26, Shrek 03/31, Ghost (West End)04/11, Singing In The Rain (West End) 04/12, Matilda (West End) 04/13, Leap of Faith 05/02, Evita 05/03, Jesus Christ Superstar 05/04, Newsies 05/05, The Book Of Mormon 05/06, West Side Story 06/02, Beauty and the Beast 07/07, Million Dollar Quartet 07/28, La Cage 10/13, 10/27 Sister Act, 31/10 Once, 11/01 Rock of Ages, 11/02 Spiderman, 11/03 Newsies, 11/15 Jekyll & Hyde
I do question Ouzounian's choice of words: "...and the Tony Award-winning ghetto musical In the Heights."
"ghetto" musical?!
Coach Bob knew it all along: you've got to get obsessed and stay obsessed. You have to keep passing the open windows. (John Irving, The Hotel New Hampshire)
Unfortunately, I don't feel like it would take much to steal Dancap's thunder. The latest season was such a disappointment. Does anyone have any idea what date Mirvish will announce the new season?
2012: American Idiot 01/14, In The Heights 02/11, Warhorse 02/18, The Book of Mormon 02/23, The Gershwins Porgy and Bess 02/24, Anything Goes 02/25, Godspell 02/26, Shrek 03/31, Ghost (West End)04/11, Singing In The Rain (West End) 04/12, Matilda (West End) 04/13, Leap of Faith 05/02, Evita 05/03, Jesus Christ Superstar 05/04, Newsies 05/05, The Book Of Mormon 05/06, West Side Story 06/02, Beauty and the Beast 07/07, Million Dollar Quartet 07/28, La Cage 10/13, 10/27 Sister Act, 31/10 Once, 11/01 Rock of Ages, 11/02 Spiderman, 11/03 Newsies, 11/15 Jekyll & Hyde
An Invitation! Drop By on February 17! Bring Your Moustache! We'd Love to See You! Hey, Groundhog Day is almost upon us and that means it's just about time for us to be announcing a new season for the Mirvish theatres.
This year, the big day is going to be Tuesday, February 17. The time will be 10:30 AM and the place will be the Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King St. West.
Then and there will all of us gather to hear David Mirvish deliver the glad tidings of what's in store for the Season of 2009/2010, enjoy some previews of what we're going to see, gaze in awe at some stars and generally enjoy ourselves for an hour or so... and you're all welcome to come along (well, not ALL of you; seating is limited to 2000, so we ask that you RSVP if you want to come... and you can do that online at www.mirvish.com/rsvp. Let us hear from you by Feb. 10, please).
It's all absolutely free! Come wearing a cut-out, paste-on Kaiser Wilhelm moustache - like the one on the left - so we'll know you're an e-Stager!
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