Priscilla Queen of the Desert casting ideas?

[Khashoggi]

Posted: 1/19/10 at 5:42pm

Hey all,
With predictions that Priscilla will open on Broadway now pretty much confirmed, I was interested to see who people would like to see in the cast?
I think it is the kind of show that will need a little star casting, but in dream land, I would love to see Tony Sheldon reprise his role as Bernadette from the Australian/London productions. I'd also like to see Raul Esparza bring his incredible talents to the role of the conflicted drag queen/father, Tick/Mitzi. And I'd kill to see the wonderful Cheyenne Jackson camp it up as the younger, "rock-star" drag queen, Felicia.
What other names can people come up with? x

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/19/10 at 5:48pm

I'd love to see Patti as Ralph, er...Bernie.

[Khashoggi]

Posted: 1/19/10 at 5:50pm

She'd be rather funny in the role of Shirl, the very very butch woman at the Broken Hill pub. Sadly, its a bit too small a part for Ms. LuPone!

[Pgenre]

Posted: 1/19/10 at 5:58pm

Why not just cast Ross Matthews, Jessie Tyler Ferguson and Rosie and let it be the gay minstel show that it is. I can't believe this will be on Broadway at the same time as the (umpteenth) LA CAGE revival. This dreck makes LA CAGE look like freaking GYPSY, and that is NOT a compliment.

P

[Khashoggi]

Posted: 1/19/10 at 6:02pm

Thanks for your contribution, Pgenre darling, but that wasn't the question I was asking!

[Pgenre]

Posted: 1/19/10 at 6:05pm

Actually, that is PRECISELY what it was. Read your OP, dear.

P

Updated On: 1/19/10 at 06:05 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/19/10 at 6:06pm

There should be no bitchiness in a thread about drag queens.

[Pgenre]

Posted: 1/19/10 at 6:10pm

^LOL, Jordan! SO true!

And to further compound that fact, this is a thread about CASTING actors to play drag queens, not even the real thing. What a let down!

P

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/19/10 at 6:24pm

In all honesty, this could be a fun cast:

Marc Kudisch - Bernadette
Aaron Tveit- Felicia
Michael Cerveris- Mitzi

or if the producers are feling brave, Kirl Kulish could go right in as Felicia. No rehearsal needed.

[alterego]

Posted: 1/19/10 at 6:44pm

Aaron Tveit is a good choice!

[TIGGOSAURUS]

Posted: 1/19/10 at 7:18pm

Bernadette - Tony Sheldon
Adam/Felicia - Hugh Jackman
Tick/Mitzi - Daniel Craig

Now THAT would be a dream cast!

Failing that, I'm loving the idea of Cheyenne Jackson as well.

EDIT: Does anyone know what theatre they're looking at? I've heard tell the proposed venue may be smaller than their current home in the West End (the Palace), so it could be a logistical nightmare with the bus and 500+ costumes to accommodate!

Updated On: 1/19/10 at 07:18 PM

[alterego]

Posted: 1/19/10 at 8:15pm

Wouldn't Hugh Jackman make a VERY old Adam/Felicia?

They couldn't possibly put this on a stage smaller than the Palace in London. The Hirschfeld (HAIR won't last til the end of the year) or even the Palace (WSS ditto) would seem likely choices...then there's the Broadway. Much as I love the show I can't see PROMISES being a runaway success.
Updated On: 1/20/10 at 08:15 PM

[TIGGOSAURUS]

Posted: 1/19/10 at 8:35pm

Personally I think Sister Act would be better suited to the Broadway. Is anything earmarked for the Shubert or the Al Hirschfeld (Martin Beck) next year?

I have no reason to doubt the info I heard, even though I too would be surprised if such a big show went into an even smaller space than the one it currently occupies.

Then again, I think Priscilla could be a hard sell on Broadway (sad to say). The cultural references won't translate to the US as readily and easily as they did in the UK and, IMHO, the concept of drag as an entertainment form is much less mainstream in the States compared with either Australia or Britain.

*Obviously the suggestion of Jackman/Craig was made very much tongue-in-cheek. The more I think of Cheyenne Jackson as Adam/Felicia the more I like the idea... Venus, Colour My World, Confide in Me...

Updated On: 1/19/10 at 08:35 PM

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 1/19/10 at 9:08pm

I think everyone just wants to see Cheyenne in the tiny shorts that Felicia wears...not that I blame you all.

I was actually thinking that the St. James might be a good theatre, as I've always found it to have good sightlines.

I was actually thinking someone along the lines of Joseph Fiennes might be a good Mitzi, Tony Sheldon would have to open the show as Bernadette, and Tyler Hanes as Felicia.

[jeffrey1dog]

Posted: 1/20/10 at 2:30am

Every time I've seen Cheyenne Jackson (maybe 5 times) in the last 2 years I've told him he MUST play Felicia if the role ever crosses his path.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 1/20/10 at 7:13am

Raul Esparza
Jonathan Pryce
Neil Patrick Harris

[Skywalker3]

Posted: 1/20/10 at 7:29am

Whene I saw the show on west-end a couple of weeks ago, I had an understudy for Tick/Mitzi. And the guy (Craig Ryder) lookt a lot like Neil Patrick Haris. A LOT! (not in pictures, but onstage, realy!)

Tony Sheldon - Bernadette
NPH - Tick/Mitzi
Robin de Jesus - Adem/Felicia
Marc Kudisch - Bob

Cheyenne is way to old to play Adam/Felicia..

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 1/20/10 at 9:13am

Where have the predictions been confirmed? A lot of people in
Toronto are still expecting the show there.

[Pgenre]

Posted: 1/20/10 at 3:12pm

"Whene I saw the show on west-end a couple of weeks ago, I had an understudy for Tick/Mitzi. And the guy (Craig Ryder) lookt a lot like Neil Patrick Haris. A LOT! (not in pictures, but onstage, realy!)"

OMGZZZZZZZ he lookt that way, like realy? Like Glea and Gleedina!!!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 1/20/10 at 3:50pm

I really think Orfeh would be spectacular as Bernadette. She's uniquely qualified to play that part.

[alterego]

Posted: 1/20/10 at 6:49pm

No, Tony Sheldon has to play Bernadette. He owns that role, and has since the days of the first workshop. I also fear for the lack of an Australian accent in the show.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 5/14/10 at 1:07am

Now that FlashForward is officially cancelled (so sad, so not surprised), I would like to renew my idea that Joseph Fiennes should play Tick.

[Tag]

Posted: 5/16/10 at 12:10am

There is a special launch event in Toronto on Monday (first day tickets are on public sale too) so I think we'll hear some of the official casting...or we should.

[alterego]

Posted: 5/16/10 at 9:49am

Please keep us posted Tag.

[Tag]

Posted: 5/17/10 at 12:29pm

Only thing I could find so far:
Role of Bob