priscilla! It’s just a simple story, really — about a parent-and-child reunion. And love. And acceptance. And oh yeah, there’s lots of men in drag, 3-foothigh wigs, imported glitter, ostrich feathers, a big ol’ school bus, and gobs of top-tier talent and grandeur. It’s Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, The Musical, making its debut in the United States. The show, opening on Broadway in the spring, is coming off of critically acclaimed runs in London and Toronto. Bette Midler is a producer. Human Rights Campaign member, activist and philanthropist Paul Boskind is another. The show, full of ’80s music, is adapted from the Academy Award-winning film. Equality magazine caught up with Nick Adams (at right), best known for his roles on Broadway in La Cage Aux Folles and A Chorus Line, about playing Felicia, one of a trio of friends rolling through the Australian outback, looking for love and redemption. After seeing Priscilla, one reviewer said, “It’s impossible to come away from the show without your prejudices being challenged.” I completely agree. You see three people go through quite a journey and face a lot of challenges along the way. The audience is instantly on board with us, and they absolutely question stereotypes and prejudices when they begin to really care for these characters. It’s really humbling to see
By Janice Hughes
the audiences respond with such joy to this story … It speaks not only to the gay community, but to anyone who has ever searched for love and acceptance. Is the show getting support from the drag community? We have been welcomed with open arms by the drag community in Toronto. They have shown us nothing but support and encouragement. They went as far as to arrive at the show in a giant Priscilla bus, dressed in Priscilla-inspired costumes. I understand your dad deserves some thanks. It was at my father’s suggestion that I did a community theater production of La Cage Aux Folles when I was fifteen. We didn’t anticipate at the time that I’d be doing that show on Broadway eleven years later. There are 261 costumes changes in the show. How many for you? Twenty costume changes … The secret is a team of amazing dressers. At times, I have nine people hidden in the bus getting me out of something and into another. The show happening backstage is just as exciting. What’s the best part about Priscilla? The letters I’ve received from people that tell me how this show has inspired them to no longer live in fear, to be open with themselves and with others about who they are.
backstage Priscilla’s beauty secrets 150: Pairs of false eyelashes used each month (24 per performance)
2 lbs: Amount of imported glitter used per month (handmade in Australia)
3.5 inches: Length of the longest pair of eye lashes
72: Number of wigs per show
175: Tubes of lipsticks per month 75: Number of pots of eye shade per month
photo: Joan Marcus
495: Number of costumes (18 design houses in 4 countries) 150: Pairs of shoes per show
3 ft.: Height of highest wig in show 4: Hairdressers required per show to maintain and prep wigs 200: Number of hats and head dresses 11 seconds: Fastest makeup change in the show
To purchase tickets for Priscilla Queen of the Desert, The Musical, e-mail Priscilla@martianentertainment.com for a special promo code benefiting HRC. WWW.HRC.ORG
winter 2011
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