Priscilla Queen of the Desert Will Strut to Broadway in Early 2011

blaxx, do you predict flop (ala Taboo) or hit (Billy Elliot). and i ask in sincerity (because i enjoy your witty posts).

I haven't seen the show, but I know everyone and their drag queen moms rave about it. It depends on the other shows of the season, of course, but at least this movie to musical comes from a quality source and uses a lot of the hit songs from the film, so I predict hit.

I just hope it doesn't take too much longer, or I doubt it would happen altogether.

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Personally, I look forward to this production as well because I loved the movie.

i always get this movie confused with the Too Wong Foo movie!

eatlasagna, To Wong Foo had Blade, Johnny Castle and Clown (from Spawn).

Priscilla had General Zod, Elrond and the guy from Memento (Guy Pearce). hope that helps, hehe.

How about a lil Rocky Horror vs Priscilla?

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Tony Sheridan? Who dat? ;-> If they bring over Tony Sheldon then you're in for a real treat - he delivers a great performance, one which gives the show its heart.

As for work to be done, I really fear that cultural unfamiliarity, political correctness and a desire to make Priscilla more family/tourist-friendly will mean the show might be eviscerated - not to mention a certain degree of critical snobbery regarding 'jukebox' musicals. Let's hope the producers and their US backers have the courage of their convictions and unleash it in all its frivolous, flippant, fabulous finery.

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I think the litmus test for whether it has a chance in hell will be how La Cage does next spring.

Calm yourself down, there, Judgey McMental. Jukebox does not automatically equal bad unless you're a thorough snob.

Jukebox ALMOST always means "bad" creatively, but for musical theatre songwriters its always just plain bad.

Each time a jukebox musical is produced it lowers our standards. Bit by bit. Its insidious.

The ONLY good thing about jukebox musicals is that they give work to actors.

Of course you are completely valid in your opinion that you enjoy these shows. And I'm sure you can't comprehend how sad it is that you do.

Why not write an original score to Priscilla? No, its lazier and much more cost effect and producer-safe to use a disco score. And, yes, probably more crowd pleasing. Cause that's all that matters, right? How easy. How unchallenging. I'm sure you're applauding adding "I'm A Believer" to Shrek as well.

Again, by your response you have no idea how sad your support of the continuing erosion of the musical theatre is.

Updated On: 10/2/09 at 09:21 PM

Holbee, I see your point. I really do. It's almost the same argument some have made about reality tv ruining the quality of broadcast television.

With that being said; however, I don't necessarily subscribe to the ideology that support for this show will deter other creative artists from producing something wholly original, nor do I believe it will prevent such productions coming to Broadway.

If anything Next To Normal and In The Heights are proof of this. As I see it, there is room for everyone, despite how one feels about the over all quality of jukebox musicals in general.

This show has the one-two punch of not only being a jukebox musical, but a movie to musical adaptation as well, which spells double trouble for most against the genres, yet I still have faith it won't be the be all end all of Broadway you are purporting it to be.

Anyhow, if all of this is sad to you, I'm sorry, but in reality it can't be helped. Hopefully there are things in the near future that will be exciting enough for you to look forward to and this will just be a blip in your memory.

The Toronto production had been cast a few months ago and in an article Director Simon Phillips was quoted as saying that they had cast the entire show (from local talent) save for one of the three leads. Would they use that cast or do they have to recast Americans as the show is going to Broadway?