BWW Reviews: PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT - FLASHY! TRASHY! FUN!

BBW Review: "PRISCILLA QUEEN of the DESERT the musical" - FLASHY!-TRASHY!-FUN!

Written by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott
Musical supervision and arrangements by
Stephen "Spud" Murphy
Directed by Simon Phillips
Choreographed by Ross Coleman
April 9, 2013 at 7:30P.M.

Hold on to your hat! You Ain't Seen Nothing Like This at the Straz before!
The first national tour of "Priscilla Queen of the Desert the musical", part of the Best of Broadway Tampa Bay series, exploded into Carol Morsani Hall at the Straz Center in Tampa, Tuesday night!

The audience was jammed into the Carol Morsani Hall with every seat filled and the buzz in the audience had the electricity of an opening night crowd on Broadway. I have not seen an audience so charged up like this at any other show in the Broadway series, thus far. It was a contagious excitement. WE WERE READY!

The show curtain had an outline of the map of Australia, made with a giant pink lipstick that was onstage down center.

It had a planned route outlined from Sydney to Alice (Springs). The lights began to dim, and the howls and applause from the audience chimed in as well. The orchestra played and the theatre was engulfed in a major light show with gobos and projections and whirling and twirling spheres. The curtain went up to reveal three, beautiful, singing,wailing, divas, lowered in from the fly loft, (suspended mid-air), bedazzled in silver sequins, lame and feathers. Then came the half naked men dancing and gyrating to "It's Raining Men". Combine all of this action with a spellbinding light show and we were transported back to the disco era, with music from the 1970's and 80's.
And the audience went crazy!

"Priscilla Queen of the Desert the musical" is based on Stephan Elliot's 1994, Academy Award winning film, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. The musical produced by Bette Midler, opened on Broadway in 2011. It was nominated for Best Musical from Drama Desk, Drama League and Outer Critics Circle.

The story revolves around three friends, who happen to be drag queens, (female impersonators). They decide to take a trip across the Australian Outback together, in a camper/bus they name, Priscilla. The adventures along the way, is what makes this production both hilarious, touching and heart-warming as well.

The audience will never forget, being overwhelmed by the hilarious, TRASHY dialogue, or over 500, FLASHY, extravagant, over the top, costumes, wigs, headdresses (by Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner), and the vintage choreography (by Ross Coleman), that had you dancing in your seat, or the dancing paint brushes and cupcakes, and even costumed kangaroos, flying angels, an amazing lighting design, (by Nick Schlieper) and set pieces (designed by Brian Thomson), moving automatically on tracks, brilliant orchestral arrangements, (by STEPHEN 'SPUD' MURPHY), and the FUN of each song being a recognizable HIT!

But, that is not what this show is all about. It is not about the "right, smack in your face" spectacle of this production. And trust me, it IS a spectacle! It's not about the special effects on stage and dancing in your seat from the roaring disco music. And lastly, it is not about three men who like to dress in woman's clothes. Well then, "What is this show all about?"

The heart of this show lies in its message. This production is all about our human need for LOVE and ACCEPTANCE.
And that my friends, is what this show is all about. LOVE and ACCEPTANCE. And bringing that message to audiences around the globe, for that reason alone, I give this production 5 STARS.

Wade McCollum as Tick (Mitzi), gives a strong, multi-level performance, as the lovable drag queen, who is also the father of an eight year old son, that he has never met. He makes you laugh, he makes you cry. Mr. McCollum is a triple threat. He acts, sings, and can dance his pants off! He stopped the show with his heart wrenching rendition of "You Were Always on My Mind".

Scott Willis as Bernadette, lives the role. Mr. Willis commands the stage with each step and gesture, as the aging drag queen. With Lauren Bacall's looks and Betty Grable's legs, Mr. Willis is simply captivating as Bernadette. He brings an old Hollywood glamour to his role, combined with a tender, vulnerability. His singing is good, his dancing, admirable, and his acting, perfection. Mr. Willis' performance is a masterpiece.

As the young, daring, fireball, Adam (Felicia), Bryan West is a bombshell! Mr. West can belt out a song and dance like nobody's business! His comic timing and one line zingers brought gales of laughter. His dramatic moments, tears.
Mr. West gives a stunning performance.

Joe Hart as Bob, shines, in a role that could have vanished by a lesser trained actor. Mr. Hart brought an honest, sincerity to his role; and was simply a joy to watch on stage.

The singing and dancing ensemble were truly exceptional. Each one a leading player in their own right. Outstanding performances by "the Divas", Emily Afton, Bre Jackson, and Brit West, as "Miss. Understanding", Nik Alexzander, as "Marion", Christy Faber, as "Benji", Shane Davis. Others rounding out this shining cast, were Babs Rubenstein as Shirley, Taurean Everett as Jimmy, Amy Hillner Larsen, as Cynthia, and David Koch as Frank.

There were some disturbing sound challenges on opening night, that combined with Australian accents and an over amplified orchestra, drowned out some of the singers, some of the time. This has come to be expected on opening performances, nowadays, with all of these high technological productions. I am certain that all of the kinks will work themselves out, as the sound was much better in Act II.

So if you "just wanna have FUN", sing and dance to the disco beat, ( "I Will Survive", "Material Girl", "Hot Stuff", and lots more), be dazzled by sequins and glitter, and be touched by a loving storyline...hurry and see "Priscilla Queen of the Desert the musical", at the Staz Center, before it blows out of town!

You will never forget this one!

Running time is 2 hours and 30 minutes with one intermission

Recommended for mature audiences.(strong language and adult themes)

"Priscilla Queen of the Desert the musical" will play Carol Morsani Hall, April 9th-14th, 2013
at at the Straz Center, 1010 North W.C. MacInnes Place • Tampa, Florida 33602
Tickets: starting at $44.50 and may be purchased by calling 813.229.STAR (7827) or 800.955.1045 outside Tampa Bay, or in person at the Straz Center Ticket Office or online.