PRISCILLA To Take The Palace- Page 6

[canmark]

Posted: 10/12/10 at 6:29am

I'm going to the first (regular) preview tonight. Will try not to turn this into a WOTV thread. ;-P

[alterego]

Posted: 10/12/10 at 8:46am

As an interested Aussie I'd like to hear how you found the show canmark.

[canmark]

Posted: 10/13/10 at 8:56pm

Observations from the first preview in Toronto:

Priscilla Queen of the Desert is a musical-comedy romp in the Mamma Mia vein--only a thousand times gayer. And just as Mamma Mia audiences leap to their feet to sing the reprise of "Dancing Queen" at the end of the show, the opening night preview audience at Priscilla lept to their feet to sing the reprise of "I Will Survive." It's that kind of show.

Based on the 1994 film, Priscilla brings the fabulous styles (the flip-flp dress, the lizard costume) and piercing Aussie accents to the stage. The music runs the gamut from rousing gay pride parade-type standards ("It's Raining Men," "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun", "Go West") to a maudlin rendition of "True Colors." But what the stage version lacks is the heart that makes the film both touching and funny. While it IS entertaining, there's not a lot of depth.

Will Swenson seems slightly miscast as the main character of Tick, who leads his confreres across the desert in a bus ostensibly to perform a drag show, but in reality to be reunited with his young son (from a--gasp!--straight marriage). Alas, I couldn't quite buy Swenson as his flamboyant drag queen alter ego Mitzi, nor did I find his manly Tick all that emotionally compelling. Vocally, he was not that strong, either. What he, and the character need, is more drama--both the emotional and the queenly kind.

Tony Sheldon (Bernadette) comes across as an old pro, and indeed he's a veteran of both the Australian and West End productions of Priscilla. I have no problems with his performance, though I was neither surpised nor truly moved by it, either.

Adam/Felicia is the perfect role for Nick Adams--truly, all his, um, assets are on full display. Imbuing Adam/Felicia with vanity and the imperviousness of youth, he just needs to sharpen the character's humor, mischieviousness, and grating/annoying quality. Clearly a showy role, Swenson's Tick (who should be the main characer) seems dim in comparison. Though not distinctive, Nick's voice was the strongest of the leads. And he's a solid dancer--and clearly very flexible.

The audience (which had more gay men than Saturday night at Woody's, not to mention some real live drag queens--one of whom kindly removed her wig so as not to impede the view of the people behind her--what courtesy!) ate up the show. They laughed at the opening strains of "I Say A Little Prayer" and clearly knew the movie well--laughing at first appearance of Cynthia (J. Elaine Marcos), Bob's (C. David Johnson) crazy Asian mail-order bride. Beware the ping pong balls! Some of the jokes come straight out of the movie; others are new. I don't think that people who haven't seen the movie will be at a disadvantage--and might even benefit by not knowing the punch lines in advance.

The (female, singing) divas (who are frequently seen hanging on a wire above the stage) were fine, as was the orchestra/band, and the ensemble was very good--notably the petite, plus-sized Keala Settle, who played a variety of funny roles and the fierce Nathan Lee Graham as Miss Understanding.

The costumes were truly specacular. Particularly fantabulous was Trumpet's funeral, which begins with a tableaux of guests (recalling the Ascot scene in My Fair Lady) dressed in outrageous Alexander McQueen-meets-Lady Gaga-type funeral finery. They then proceed to sing "Don't Leave Me This Way," one of many disco hits in the show, including "Hot Stuff", "MacArthur Park," "Shake Your Grove Thing" and "Boogie Wonderland." For the North American adaptation, Kylie Minogue songs were replaced with Madonna songs, such as "Material Girl," "Holiday," and "Like A Prayer."

Despite the complexity of the show, it doesn't appear any major changes are required, only a sharpening of the lead performances and fixing of some timing issues (the actors need to pause after some of the bigger jokes as the dialog was being drowned out by laughter). While curmudgeons will shudder, those that like to wave rainbow flags on Pride Day (or wear feather boas to the theatre--as some did) will have a blast. Opening night is October 26th.

Note: It was just announced that Bette Midler is joining the producing team of Priscilla. Supposedly she will be attending previews and offering notes, among other things.

http://www.cbc.ca/arts/theatre/story/2010/10/13/midler-priscilla-toronto.html

[canmark]

Posted: 10/13/10 at 8:56pm

Double post.

Updated On: 10/13/10 at 08:56 PM

[Trish2]

Posted: 10/13/10 at 9:54pm

"Though not distinctive, Nick's voice was the strongest of the leads."

Nick Adams has the strongest singing voice of the three leads in a new Broadway bound musical? Now THAT should be interesting.

[CockeyedOptimist2]

Posted: 10/14/10 at 12:37am

Isn't Jessica Phillips in the show (playing Will Swenson's wife)? I was a fan of hers in Next to Normal and would love to hear if you have any specific thoughts about her performance.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 10/14/10 at 12:39am

^ Her character only has about two minutes of stage time.

[CockeyedOptimist2]

Posted: 10/14/10 at 12:43am

Clearly I don't know the story at all. Oh well. Thanks for telling me, TheatreFan4!

Posted: 10/14/10 at 4:32am

apologies for my ignorance,canmark, but is that your personal review?
just interested in knowing :)

[canmark]

Posted: 10/14/10 at 6:57am

Yes, this is my review. Yes, Tick's wife doesn't have a lot of stage time, so I have no specific comments on Jessica Phillips. And yes, Nick Adams, who sounds more like he should be in the chorus, has the strongest voice of the leads. It's that kind of show. This is not a male Dreamgirls where you will be blown away by the singing.

Nick Adams shows off a lot of his body in this show, and I there were actual gasps and excited murmurs from the audience. I think at one part of the show (either the "It's Raining Men" number of Nick Adams' entrance, "Material Girl"), a woman behind me said to her male friend, "Are ya happy now?" In another scene he's wearing some skimpy Speedo-type thing that shows off half his ass, and when he turned upstage revealing half his bare behind--I swear I heard drooling. So funny. That said, I don't think he comes across as particularly sexy--more like person who craves attention and uses what he's got to get it (which is correct for the character).

For Priscilla insight, check out the blog of Thom Allison, a Canadian in the ensemble who understudies Bernadette and Miss Understanding: http://thomallison1.wordpress.com/

Even more insight (and photos) from TT n Sheldy blog: http://ttsheldy.blogspot.com/

Updated On: 10/14/10 at 06:57 AM

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 10/14/10 at 10:11am

"And yes, Nick Adams, who sounds more like he should be in the chorus, has the strongest voice of the leads. It's that kind of show. This is not a male Dreamgirls where you will be blown away by the singing."
=========================

It would be if Thom were in a lead role! :)

[Tag]

Posted: 10/16/10 at 12:39am

Nick Adams

[GottaHaveAGimmick]

Posted: 10/16/10 at 12:39pm

So here's my impression from the 10/15/10 performance.

The show is like a Busby Berkley musical:heavy on the production numbers;slight on plot. At times it was more like a concert than a musical.

But this is not all a negative thing if you are looking for a night out of fun and bawdy humor. Those who complain about spending over $100 for a show cannot say they didn't get their money's worth. The prodution numbers are packed with color, costumes, wigs, and sets all to keep your senses occupied.

For those interested in the stage curtain, it's really a downstage scrim with a crudely drawn map of Australia showing the trip about to be taken. There is a 7 foot tall lipstick tube in the same shade as the drawing placed in front of the scrim. As the overture begins, a gigantic mirrored ball lowers to splash disco lighting throuout the crowd.

Tony Sheldon, having done his role now for years, is quite comfortable and shows obvious committment to his character. His love story is not as prominent as it was in the film.

Nick Adams is having his moment in the sun. He's showing the character as bratty, catty, queeny, bitchy and totally in control. He works tha costumes and the crowd loves him as both Adam and Felicia. He looks like he's having tremendous fun.

If only the same could be said for Will Swenson. I don't know whether Mr. Swenson is uncomfortable with showing his feminine side (his gestures look terribly forced) or whether he is simply playing the character as one uncomfortable in his own skin. The plot, thin as it is, centers on his relationship with his son. It's a leading role, but not played that way. He barely smiled during the curtain call.

Lots of glitz and glamour. The audience loved it. The critics will likely shoot down the lack of depth in the storytelling. but the production is sumptuous.
Updated On: 10/16/10 at 12:39 PM

Posted: 10/16/10 at 12:58pm

oh dear...so dissapointed to read about Will Swenson...
we were so blown away by his performance in Hair that we are basing our trip to NY next year on the going to Priscilla....I'm a bit in doubt now.
(I mean we will go to New York anyway, but we can watch Priscilla in London for half price, as I get disabled discount, meaning it will be a bit under $100 for two tickets...)

Thing is, if Sheldon is over there, maybe it is still worth seeing it in NY?

anyway, I'm enjoying the views of all of you here :)

[once a month]

Posted: 10/16/10 at 4:04pm

12th row center orchestra....March 12, 2011....YAY!!

Posted: 10/16/10 at 6:27pm

are tickets already on sale?
if so, could you give us a link please?
Thanks!

[Steve2]

Posted: 10/16/10 at 7:07pm

Tickets are available on Ticketmaster to American Express Card holders (Presale)

[steven22]

Posted: 10/16/10 at 7:35pm

I really wish Jessica was a lead, or at least had more stage time. She deserves it. Should have replaced Ripley actually (and I love Marin).

[alterego]

Posted: 10/16/10 at 9:43pm

MrsPeel, I'd go for the New York PRISCILLA over the London version, particularly if you have seen the show before. The new version has several new song additions and has had a script revamp.

Posted: 10/16/10 at 10:02pm

@ alterego
Thanks so much, yes, I think we will go for it anyway...
I'm trying to sort tickets before anything, as I rather get flights around the performances we want to see rather than try to buy tickets for Broadway once we have the flights...not sure how the Broadway box offices do, but in the West End, Lover Never Dies, for example, or Wicled, are shows you can hardly get tickets on the spot...

I dont have an AMEX though, so we ll have to wait until the tickets go on sale for the simple mortals lol
you don't have an idea when they ll start selling to the public, by any chance?

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 10/16/10 at 10:24pm

The AMEX presale ends on 10/29 so tickets will likely go on sale to the general public shortly after that.

[mee.who]

Posted: 12/9/10 at 9:59pm

I saw the show a few weeks ago while visiting a friend in Toronto.

I loved it! I felt like i had a permanent smile plastered on my face through the entire thing.

I was a little apprehensive about Will Swenson after reading the comments in this thread, but I loved him in this role. I don't know if he's grown into it since the other reviews were posted or if I'm just a little biased or what, but I thought he was great. His voice sounded strong and he didn't seem uncomfortable in the least (or when he did it was completely in line with the character that he was playing). Also on a shallow note, he looked *lovely* in (and out of) those costumes. I also didn't feel like his character was overshadowed by Adams or Sheldon (both of whom I thought were fantastic) though the role definitely isn't as showy or in your face as Adams' Felicia or Berger in Hair.

I'm looking forward to seeing this again (and probably again) when it moves to New York!
Updated On: 12/9/10 at 09:59 PM