Fourth Time's a Charm: Tony Sheldon Talks Starring in 4th PRISCILLA Production

Tony Sheldon, star of the exciting new Broadway transfer PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT, recently chatted with Broadway Beat about the long journey that he has taken with the show. Sheldon reveals, "I did the very first workshop when it was just a 10 day experiment to see whether the film would transplant onto the stage. And by the end of the 10 days when we presented it, we realized this show has legs. So that was when I actively committed to wanting to do the show, but then I had to audition- along with everybody else."

He adds, "So it's been a constant battle to keep this role. The producers and the director have had such faith in me and such loyalty, and they've traveled me around he world. So Iv'e done Australia, New Zealand, London, Toronto and now Broadway.

As for the themes of PRISCILLA: "It's about second chances, it's about people getting another chance at happiness when they think it's behind them. It's about outsiders, who are rejected from society, standing up for themselves and saying 'No! I am beautiful. My true colors are wonderful, and I am fabulous.' It touches a chord with so many different sectors of the audience that they fall in love with it in spite of themselves."

"To be working with Will Swenson and Nick Adams is such a joy," Sheldon gushes, "I mean, they're both at the top of their game. It's just so relaxing to be on stage with people who know exactly what they're doing."

To watch the full Broadway Beat coverage of PRISCILLA's press day, click here. 

Following its critically acclaimed North American debut engagement in Toronto, the spectacular new stage musical arrives on Broadway at The Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway) when previews begin Monday, February 28 toward an official opening on Sunday, March 20, 2011. Yesterday morning, the show met the press in New York for the first time, we were there to capture all the fun. 

PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL stars Tony Award nominee Will Swenson, Olivier Award nominee Tony Sheldon and Nick Adams as the trio of friends on a heart-warming, uplifting adventure who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship in the middle of the Australian outback and end up finding more than they could ever have dreamed. 

Featuring a score of over 20 dance-floor classics and with a dazzling array of more than 500 outrageous costumes, PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL is a sensational journey to the heart of fabulous. Adapted from the Academy Award® winning film "The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert," PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL, is written by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott. Direction is by Simon Phillips, choreography by Ross Coleman, musical supervision and arrangements by Stephen ‘Spud' Murphy and set design by Brian Thomson. Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner have re-created their Academy Award® winning costume designs originally designed for the film. Lighting is designed by Nick Schlieper and sound design is by Jonathan Deans. BAFTA Award winning make up design is recreated by Cassie Hanlon.

PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL is produced by Bette Midler; James L. Nederlander; Garry McQuinn, Liz Koops; Michael Hamlyn; Allan Scott; Roy Furman/ Richard Willis; Terry Allen Kramer; Terri and Timothy Childs, Ken Greiner, Ruth Hendel; Chugg Entertainment; Michael Buckley; Stewart Lane/ Bonnie Comley; Bruce Davey; Thierry Suc/TS3; Bartner/ Jenkins; Broadway Across America/H. Koenigsberg; M. Lerner/ D. Bisno/ K. Seidel/ R. Gold; Paul Boskind and Martian Entertainment / Spirtas-Mauro Productions / MAS Music Arts & Show; and David Mirvish.

 

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/WM Photos