'Priscilla' Is Broadway Bound

Welcome Guest. Please Login or Register.

'Priscilla' Is Broadway Bound

Posted: 1/29/10 at 7:36am

London. January 29th.

A press release from the London/Australian producers released today states that 'Priscilla: Queen Of The Desert -The Musical' confirms a Broadway 2011 bow.
The show will open at the Prince of Wales Theatre, Toronto, Canada on 12 Oct 2010 and plans for a Broadway transfer in early 2011, tits heatre still to be named.

This confirms earlier rumors that arose from a casting notice for the musical that was posted in Oct 2009.

'Priscilla' Is Broadway Bound

Updated On: 1/29/10 at 07:36 AM

'Priscilla' Is Broadway Bound

Posted: 1/29/10 at 2:37pm

I don't know if my feather jacket would survive the journey but I'd be very tempted!

'Priscilla' Is Broadway Bound

Posted: 1/29/10 at 4:39pm

Please tell me the brilliant Tony Sheldon is Broadway bound. No one deserves it more though he will be very missed in London.

'Priscilla' Is Broadway Bound

Posted: 1/29/10 at 7:57pm

The only way they would take Tony Sheldon to Broadway is if he won an Olivier award and I would think that is very unlikely given the competition this year from the likes of Rowan Atkinson and Alex Hanson.

'Priscilla' Is Broadway Bound

Posted: 1/29/10 at 9:05pm

I really hope Tony wins the Olivier. Rowan Atkinson was great, but I've got an inkling that Oliver may get a bit shut out of the Oliviers this year. I believe his only true competition is Alexander Hanson in Night Music, who gave an exquisite performance.

On a side note, what a success story Priscilla is. I might be mistaken, but it could very well be the most successful Australian stage production ever. The only alternative for the title would be Boy from Oz, which only had two international productions, one that flopped and one that was purely star-driven.

'Priscilla' Is Broadway Bound

Posted: 1/29/10 at 9:18pm

Well, sadly, we are still waiting for 'The Boy From Oz' (preferably, the original Aussie production which I saw).
If Tony Doesn't get the Olivier for his performance then I think there is something afoot amongst the award board.
Not one male musical performance comes near to this in the last 2 years or more.
His performance has lit up that stage for a year now and his previous 2 years in Australia must account for something being as he won the awards down there.

Here's to Tony on Broadway in 2011, winging his way to an award named, curiously enough, after him The Tony Award.
There will be reward for this somewhere along the line.

'Priscilla' Is Broadway Bound

Posted: 1/29/10 at 9:24pm

I agree Tony does deserve to reprise his role on Broadway. Do you think New York will take to this musical? No doubt this musical will be loathed by the New York Times, lucky they do not hold the clout they once did! How would you fit the high heel show to the Lunt Fontaine front?

'Priscilla' Is Broadway Bound

Posted: 1/29/10 at 11:15pm

I wouldn't discount Tony Sheldon going to NY with PRISCILLA. He did get a VERY favourable mention in the New York Times London theatre roundup last year. That has to count for something I would have thought. If he goes - I'm there!

Is Tony Broadway Bound?

Posted: 1/30/10 at 2:59am

Wildcat, do you speak from inside knowledge or are you just basing your scepticism on AEA protocol re.'importing' overseas actors?

I will say for the record though: if the producers decide NOT to take Tony Sheldon to Broadway to open the show it will be an absolute disgrace! He's played a massive part in shaping what is probably the most successful Australian musical of all time, it's a stated ambition of his to appear on a Broadway stage and what better vehicle is there than a big pink bus he has been helping to drive for three gruelling years?!

Olivier Award or not (and I agree with others it would be deserved recognition), it would hardly be a gamble to take him to the US - he's a long-established actor with a fine pedigree. If they want to cast 'names' to sell this show then they should go for people like Justin Timberlake or Adam Lambert in the Mitzi/Felicia roles!

Seen some shows in my time....

Updated On: 1/30/10 at 02:59 AM

#10

Is Tony Broadway Bound?

Posted: 1/30/10 at 5:39am

The American producers of PRISCILLA are a consortium who have had no previous connection with the show so I don't think they're going to be sentimental about importing an unknown actor from Australia at considerable expense when they can cast the role locally. There are quite a few Aussie and Brit musical theatre actors living in New York with a green card.
Genevieve Lemon, who played Mrs. Wilkinson in the Australian production of BILLY ELLIOT, won many more awards than Sheldon and only two weeks ago US Actors' Equity refused permission to let her appear in the American touring company.

#11

Is Tony Broadway Bound?

Posted: 1/30/10 at 5:45am

If Douglas Hodge can go then there's no reason why Tony shouldn't.
Mr Hodge won the award for a part he hardly performed due to sickness and then left the show pretty soon anyway.

#12

Is Tony Broadway Bound?

Posted: 1/30/10 at 6:30am

Surely Dirty Dancing is the most successful Australian production?

As for Tony, I really didnt care for the show, but Tony was the one stand out performance, it is an amazing performance full of warmth, humour and dignity. Alexander Hanson I just dont get the fuss over, he wasnt THAT amazing in Night Music (was good in Sound Of Music, and awful in Marguarite). The award should go to Tony.

#13

Is Tony Broadway Bound?

Posted: 1/30/10 at 8:18am

Sshhhh....we don't speak of DIRTY DANCING.

#14

Is Tony Broadway Bound?

Posted: 1/30/10 at 8:38am

To be honest, I don't think Priscilla is what it is without Tony and the producers should only be soooo wise to bring him over! Also, I saw Night Music as well, Alex Hanson's performance was good but... again, not AS amazing everyone says he is..

All That Jazz Check out & support my drawings @ www.facebook.com/felixdrawings

#15

Is Tony Broadway Bound?

Posted: 1/30/10 at 1:39pm

I reckon there's every chance Tony is Broadway bound. Awards or not in London won't dictate. This show sells because people love it.

I hope America embraces it as London, Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland did.

They'll certainly be more likely to do that WITH Tony in the cast.

#16

Is Tony Broadway Bound?

Posted: 1/30/10 at 2:07pm

If casting aside an actor who has done so much to make Priscilla a success because it is cheaper to get someone local is considered 'unsentimental' then I'll happily proclaim myself a sentimental old fool.

Not only do I believe that some sort of loyalty, karma and reward should come into play, I also believe it would give the show more gravitas and better publicity to have the original Australian star of the show (who has been with it since its very first workshop) interviewed alongside whichever US-based names they decide to use.

And I don't think you can make an exact comparison with Genivieve Lemon, award counts notwithstanding. She didn't originate the character she was refused permission to play in BE, nor did she help create her. If Douglas Hodge and Alexander Hanson can transfer on the basis of one critically acclaimed performance then I'm damn sure Tony Sheldon's record in Australia, New Zealand and now the UK ought to count for something.

Sorry for the rant but, as you can tell, it's something I feel strongly about. )>:-{

Seen some shows in my time....

Updated On: 1/30/10 at 02:07 PM

← Back to Message Board

View all Videos

Tickets From $59

Tickets From $70

Tickets From $59

Tickets From $101