I was at the opening night on Tuesday and sat in the first row of the balcony on the far side. The view was perfectly good, although the railing is in your eyesight. I had seen Priscilla previously at the first preview and sat in the centre orchestra.
Saw a number of local and minor stars: show hosts Steve & Chris, actor Don McKellar (I think), mayoral runner-up George Smitherman (and hubby), mayoral third place finisher Joe Pantalone, writer Bruce Villanch, Tom Simonett (Canadian Tire guy), National Ballet's Rex Harrington. Also saw Gavin Creel, but missed seeing Audra McDonald.
My opinion of the show is pretty much the same. It's unashamedly crowd-pleasing, full of eye-candy, but I wish they had spent a bit more effort on the book scenes. They could easily lose a couple of production numbers (McArthur Park, for example, which adds nothing to plot or character development) and put in more book scenes. Really, theatre audiences don't have such a short attention span that they need spectacle every five minutes.
Great work by the ensemble, who transform themselves into a dizzying array of characters--from rednecks to drag divas and back again.
And re: the above comment about the Madonna songs. I agree that they don't really add a whole lot to the show. The '70's disco classics are the numbers that work the best.
All that said, the show looks like a success and I wish it success. It's an insanely fun show that puts a pink feather boa on your day.
Here are some photos I took before the opening:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/canmark/sets/72157625272552684/
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)
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