PRISCILLA Marquee

[DMsquared2]

Posted: 1/22/11 at 7:52pm

The marquee looks great but not having the main photo be of Bernadette, Tick, and Felicia is disappointment. It's a show whose main characters are two drag queens and a trans woman and marketing in a way that disguises this just doesn't sit well with me.

Maybe they'll change it later in the run.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 1/22/11 at 8:04pm

I'm just mad that there's no shoe.

[dramadude]

Posted: 1/22/11 at 9:18pm

No bus. No shoe. No drag queens.

I saw those girls perform at Broadway On Broadway and they were great, but if the producers were aiming for straight tourists, they should have done something similar to the girls in Rock of Ages or pick skinnier girls. That whole Dreamgirls look is misleading.

[alterego]

Posted: 1/22/11 at 9:35pm

And no cast names.

[Trish2]

Posted: 1/22/11 at 9:35pm

Looks like you beat me to it DMsquared2 as i was going to post this myself. It is off putting that the producers can't trust and embrace the show for what it is. Even the production in Toronto had the following photos posted on the theatre. I guess by using the three divas as the focal point they're hoping people might think "Dreamgirls" rather than "drag queens". Disappointing to say the least.

[Trish2]

Posted: 1/22/11 at 9:37pm

Here's the marquee in Toronto.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 1/22/11 at 10:35pm

Is there any chance they are trying to preserve some mystery for the 3 leads entrances? Just a thought.

[Wishing Only Wounds]

Posted: 1/22/11 at 10:47pm

I wanted a shoe!

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 1/22/11 at 10:53pm

I agree-the shoe and the bus would have been good!

[aasjb4ever]

Posted: 1/22/11 at 10:58pm

I think they could have done well with a quite literal representation of the toronto artwork, with the gigantic shoe and the drag queen sliding down with the flying...fabric per se? (depending on the wind, of course)

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 1/22/11 at 11:25pm

I have to think there is some marketing research going on and they settled on some designs that appeal to a majority as well as international appeal. I am sure they tested designs.

The three divas probably appeals to many groups (women, gays, international visitors) and is reminiscent of successful shows like Mamma Mia, Dreamgirls,etc.

I'm sure its not based on homophobia. A bus and shoe might not be as compelling visually.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 1/23/11 at 1:51am

[wildcat]

Posted: 1/23/11 at 2:06am

It is curious that there isn't a single person pictured in drag outside the theatre. Lizards and wildflowers and androgynous Gumbies, yes. But no shots of the three leads or anyone else in drag. If the producers want to keep the content of the show a secret won't audiences be disgruntled when they find out they've been misled?

[crewdude]

Posted: 1/23/11 at 2:46am

I thought this was going to be a discussion about how embarrassing it is that the marquee isn't hung correctly. The billboard photo is two pieces with a seam that runs right down the middle of the face of the girl in the center. The piece on the right is raised up so that the two sides of her face don't line up. The girl in the center is left looking like some kind of horrific black female version of the kid in the Cher movie MASK.

[brettystar]

Posted: 1/23/11 at 2:52am

I agree they need the shoe.

[amoni]

Posted: 1/23/11 at 6:03am

The front of house is almost always temp artwork. The box office just opened. The billboard image of the three girls is a disappointing choice but won't be surprised if it's changed by opening. And if they are going to do the London shoe, and they probably will it wouldn't be done this early. They are not going to spend the money until tickets are sold.

[Urban]

Posted: 1/23/11 at 7:44am

Priscilla isn't exactly unknown. The brand is Drag Queens on a Bus. I would genuinely be suprised if you're average Joe Tourist is unaware of the concept.

[CONAries]

Posted: 1/23/11 at 8:27am

Regent Theatre, Melbourne


Palace Theatre, London


Prince of Wales Theatre, Toronto


Palace Theatre, New York


I think it looks fun enough, but I cant help thinking it looks more like a poster advertising the show than the actual marque!

Bring in the shows logo and the shoe, and it has the potential to look better than any of the other marque's above!!

[ClapYo'Hands]

Posted: 1/23/11 at 8:33am

The (London) Palace Theatre looks absolutely beautiful there.

I think the intention for the Broadway marquee was to create something distinctly Broadway - I think they wanted to cash in on the image of Dreamgirls and everything to say "Well, actually, here it is with f*****g drag queens!"

[NYTheatre01]

Posted: 1/23/11 at 8:58am

The only problem with the present design is that it is not hung correctly! Amazing Billboard! In my opinion, much better than a bus and shoe! As was stated earlier, it will have widespread National and International appeal!

[canmark]

Posted: 1/23/11 at 9:46am

In Toronto, even the ads in the newspaper would feature the 3 divas. I don't know who they were trying to fool. Making the show look like it's Dreamgirls seems deceptive, to me. Why promote the show with 3 minor (albeit fabulous) 'characters' (the Divas don't even have individual character names) rather than the 3 (fabulous) leads?! Do they really think people will buy tickets to a musical called "Priscilla Queen of the Desert" only if they are tricked into thinking it's about 3 women rather than 3 men (in drag)?

Does La Cage aux Folles promote itself with pictures of Ann and Mme Dindon so people will think it's about women, rather than gay men?

In their defense, they did show flamboyant drag queens on those airport express buses that bring tourists into the city:

Updated On: 1/23/11 at 09:46 AM

[Brick]

Posted: 1/23/11 at 11:46am

I don't think it's strange they aren't featuring the 3 leads on the marquee, but it is definitely strange they are featuring 3 chorus girls in a show where an all-girl chorus is hardly the point.

The larger crime is that those 2 girls are also the largest presence on the lobby pictures, though I'm sure those will change.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 1/23/11 at 1:50pm

"they should have done something similar to the girls in Rock of Ages or pick skinnier girls."

I'm sorry. Did you just say they should have chose skinnier girls?!

They chose three beautiful women with voices like angels.

I find that comment very offensive.

[Marlothom]

Posted: 1/23/11 at 2:12pm

I have been concerned about the subject matter of this amazing show and American response since I saw it in London, this way of marketing it does not sit well with me. I hope the camp and strong WOM leads to a very long run; but hiding the drag queens may lead to backlash when tourists with young children walk out in shock. I don't believe many Americans remember/know the movie, unless you reference "To Wong Foo".

[NYTheatre01]

Posted: 1/23/11 at 3:01pm

TheatreDiva ... I totally agree with you! The comment about "choosing skinnier girls," was totally offensive...and, the DIVAS are 'THE VOICE OF THIS SHOW." Also, all three are tremendously talented, and the show wouldn't be the hit it was in Toronto without them.