Swenson, Cavenaugh, and Sheldon to Star in PRISCILLA?

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 4/15/10 at 7:07pm

Will Swenson, Matt Cavenaugh, and Tony Sheldon are rumored to be starring in the Broadway production of PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT next season, per Deadline.

The producers are reportedly eyeing the Richard Rodgers, current home of IN THE HEIGHTS.

Terrific casting, IMO, but doesn't the Rodgers have a shallow stage with little to no wing space? I feel like that would be a major problem for such a huge show.

http://www.deadline.com/2010/04/broadway-tapping-with-tuners-next-march/

Updated On: 4/15/10 at 07:07 PM

[BroadwayBound115]

Posted: 4/15/10 at 7:08pm

Do they expect In The Heights to be gone after the summer??

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 4/15/10 at 7:16pm

^ Exactly.

[BroadwayBound115]

Posted: 4/15/10 at 7:19pm

That's too bad. I enjoyed this show so much. Oh well, out with the old and in with the new. I guess I didn't think 2 years ago was old!

[Mark_E]

Posted: 4/15/10 at 7:20pm

Doesn't the Rodgers overhang cause problems for some scenes for In the Heights? I would have thought the Producers would want to stay well clear of that problem after what has happened in London.

I would of thought In The Heights would have stayed open to cash in on the movie opening.

[AC126748]

Posted: 4/15/10 at 7:20pm

I really can't picture either in these particular roles.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 4/15/10 at 7:50pm

PRISCILLA is already scheduled for an out of town tryout in Toronto in the fall, so it wouldn't come in to New York until the spring of next year.

Updated On: 4/15/10 at 07:50 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 4/15/10 at 8:11pm

Would Cavenaugh be playing a drag role?

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 4/15/10 at 8:23pm

Yes. You should watch the movie; much better than To Wong Foo.

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 4/15/10 at 8:59pm

Heights is doing great now and will continue to do well throughout the whole summer and after the movie. I don't see why it would make sense to close it.

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 4/15/10 at 9:08pm

The Richard Rodgers?! Either they're off their rockers or that rumor has no merit...I hope it's the latter...

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 4/15/10 at 9:33pm

2 straights and a guy I never heard of letting their Drag out?
Good for them, if it's true.

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 4/15/10 at 9:38pm

Will will be great but I cannot imagine Matt in the role..he's definitely hot enough but will he be camp enough? I think at the moment for me Oliver Thornton pretty much owns this role haha. His 'Hot Stuff' really is HOT STUFF!

[Famebroadway2]

Posted: 4/15/10 at 9:39pm

Rodgers would NEVER work for this show. They have almost no wing space and if I am not mistaken isn't there a full size Bus in this show? Footloose had trouble fitting in the theater. I remember when the sets were out on the street cause they could not fit them all in. Lol.

I bet they book the Broadway after Promises closes. Taking bets it closes in Jan.
Updated On: 4/15/10 at 09:39 PM

[D2]

Posted: 4/15/10 at 9:42pm

I'm glad they're keeping Tony Sheldon as Bernadette. He's the reason to see the show; he gives it whatever heart it has. He's wonderful.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 4/15/10 at 10:56pm

Was THRILLED beyond belief to hear about Swenson and Cavenaugh being cast, and am looking forward to the other one too. Swenson is a poster boy all on his own, but to have him in a gay-friendly (to put it mildly) show is a wet dream come true. And YES, I know he's straight. In fact, I characterize Will is being metrosexual in the grand tradition of Jude Law. Will be there for first preview and for many performances thereafter. WHAT A TREAT!!!!!!

[bjh2114]

Posted: 4/15/10 at 11:18pm

Though I don't care for him, Will Swenson could work as Tick. Matt Cavenaugh, however, would be TERRIBLY miscast as Felicia. Like wow...the image is frightening. Anyone other than Oliver Thornton is this part will be a letdown, but Matt doesn't even come close to being right for it.

Also, the Rodgers is NOT the right theatre for this show at all. That overhang will completely ruin all of the sight lines for the songs where the Divas are flown in.

[actionjaxson91]

Posted: 4/16/10 at 12:49am

Sigh, another show where Matt Cavenaugh is miscast and looks too old....

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 4/16/10 at 9:11am

Matt is cute - but can't act.

[WestVillage]

Posted: 4/16/10 at 9:20am

Thrilled that the brilliant Tony Sheldon is continuing here as Bernadette ... He was just marvelous in London. Matt, however, just seems wrong. It is a very flamboyant role ... can Matt pull that off? ... he always comes across as very Ken doll to me. Matt wearing heels and a pink thong and being very swishy? I just don't see it. Too bad the gorgeous, sexy and utterly perfect Oliver Thornton won't be crossing the pond; he would become an instant Broadway heart-throb, like he is in the West End now. Swenson should be great in his role. Agree about the overhang at the RR ... the entire rear of the orchestra will some of the best visuals in the show.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/16/10 at 9:23am

As long as Robin de Jesus doesn't get to play his one role again this show, I'm fine with whoever they cast.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 4/16/10 at 9:26am

Cavenaugh's not only not camp enough, he's not talented enough.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 4/16/10 at 9:31am

Great, another chance for Matt Cavenaugh to be completely miscast and bore us all to tears.

Yawn....

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/16/10 at 9:32am

I really like Matt Cavenaugh....

[Pianist3912]

Posted: 4/16/10 at 2:43pm

I didn't realize Oliver Thornton was in this in London...what a looker.

I really hope this doesn't spell out a forecast for In the Heights.