Priscilla Queen of the Desert - Now on at Montecasino
A journey to the heart of FABULOUS
The critically-acclaimed hit musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert based on the Oscar-winning hit film made its Johannesburg premiere with two performances at The Teatro, Montecasino on Saturday, 29 April 2017 to rapturous applause and standing ovations. Presented by Showtime Management in association with Lunchbox Theatrical Productions and Nullarbor Productions, and featuring an all South African cast, Priscilla is on stage at The Teatro, Montecasino until Sunday, 18 June. Tickets are on sale at Computicket. The show is brought to South Africa in association with BBC First.
Hashtag: #PriscillaSA
Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical originally opened in Australia in 2006 and after a sell-out two year run, opened on London’s West End followed by Broadway in New York. The show continues to wow audiences across the globe with recent return tours to the UK, Australia and New Zealand. It has won awards all over the world, including prestigious Olivier and Tony awards.
The show’s recent four-week South African debut sell-out season in Cape Town opened to critical acclaim and rave reviews. “A show whose glam factor is easily an eleven” says Whatsonincapetown while the Tonight quotes: “it offers its audience one visual feast after another.” Social media was ablaze with accolades and compliments. A Facebook message by Janine Smith summed up the audience’s fervor and excitement “anyone who experiences Priscilla and is not WOWED, doesn't have a pulse. I can't begin to explain what an extraordinary extravaganza this is. You HAVE to see it.”
Priscilla Queen of the Desert is a heart-warming and uplifting tale of three drag artist friends who hop aboard a battered old bus aka “Priscilla” and go off on the adventure of a life-time through the Australian Outback, to perform in Alice Springs. On the way they find friendship, love and far more than they ever dreamed of.
With a dazzling array of over 500 award-winning costumes, 200 extraordinary head-dresses and a hit parade of dancefloor favourites including I Will Survive, Hot Stuff, Finally, Boogie Wonderland, Go West, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, and I Love The Nightlife, this wildly fresh and funny musical is a journey to the heart of FABULOUS!
The proudly South African, exceptionally talented 28-member cast, live band, crew and creative team give audiences a night of unforgettable performances, nostalgic music and an entertainment experience with all the sparkle to share in Priscilla’s “fabulousness”.
The principal roles are played by stellar stage, screen and television performers including David Dennis who has achieved prominence in leading roles from classical to contemporary and musical theatre to film and television over the past three decades (Pirates of Penzance, Starlight Classics and movies 10000BC, Winnie and Zambezia); Daniel Buys (Jersey Boys, West Side Story, Saturday Night Fever); Phillip Schnetler (Saturday Night Fever, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz) and veteran actor, James Borthwick (Sunset Boulevard, Evita and over 200 other productions).
Additional roles are played by Taryn-Lee Hudson (Singin’ in the Rain, Jersey Boys), Chantal Herman (Little Shop of Horrors, Evita, Noah of Cape Town) and Candice van Litsenborgh (Annie, Sweeney Todd, Sunset Boulevard) with Candida Mosoma (Lion King, Sister Act, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat), The Voice of SA finalist, Thembeka Mnguni (High School Musical, Grease) and Durban born Londiwe Dhlomo (Cabaret, Little Shopof Horrors, Puss in Boots) as the three dazzling Diva’s.
The ensemble features a host of multi-talented local performers including Tshepo Ncokoane (Shrek, Janice Honeyman’s Pantomime Sleeping Beauty); Zane Gillion (Sister Act, Saturday Night Fever, Dirty Dancing); Michael Fullard (Hot Mikado, Sleeping Beauty, Sneeuwitjie); Michael Wallace (Rocky Horror Picture Show, Cabaret, West Side Story); Craig Hawks (Black Sails television series, My Fair Lady); Ryan Flynn (Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Sound of Music, Jersey Boys), Samuel Hyde (Singin’ in the Rain SA, Asia and Australia/New Zealand Tour); Henk Opperman (Private Presley, Dirty Dancing the Musical SA and Asia). Fresh new talent includes Dirk Joubert, Jonathan Raath, Nadine Grobbelaar, Donae Brazer, Logan Timbre and Darius Engelbrecht.
The role of Benji, the eight year old son of lead role Tick (played by Daniel Buys) is shared by eight year old Michael Fry, nine year old Ashton Mervis and ten year old Levi Maron who are making their professional theatre debut in this major production. Resident Director, Anton Luitingh; Music Director, Bryan Schimmel and Resident Choreographer, Duane Alexander are the multi-talented and highly experienced local creative team who worked alongside international creatives Worldwide Associate Director, Dean Bryant and Choreographer, Andrew Hallsworth to open the show in Cape Town.
Sharing the excitement and enthusiasm for the show across the Montecasino precinct, patrons are invited to “Get Frocked and Fabulous” at the Priscilla Pop-Up bus located outside the Montecasino Box Office. To qualify, simply produce your Priscilla theatre ticket and have your glamorous make-up done free of charge before the show. Seats are limited and guests are accommodated on a first come first served basis. The Pop-Up Bus operates for only two hours only and is open on Thursdays and Fridays from 17h30; Saturdays from 12h30 and 17h30 and Sundays from 11h30 and 15h30. Why not extend the fun after the show and join the after party at 3Sixty Liquid Lounge on Tuesdays to Saturdays. Entrance is free. More information available at www.montecasino.co.za
Showtime Management is offering a special new group discount offer of 10% for bookings of six or more tickets valid for the two top tier ticket prices at any show except the Saturday 8.00pm show. Group bookings for 20 and more guests are available at sales@showtime.co.za
Board the bus! Bring your “fabulousness” on this highly entertaining journey. Book now at Computicket by calling 0861 915 8000, visit www.computicket.com or your nearest Computicket service centre. This musical contains some strong language and adult themes, therefore parental guidance is recommended for children under the age of 12.
For further information visit www.showtime.co.za or www.montecasino.co.za or www.artscape.co.za Special hospitality packages as well as Show & Stay packages available from Montecasino Hospitality & Corporate Events, (011) 3674250 or montecasino.reservations@tsogosun.com. Stay current on the latest news through social media on Facebook Twitter and YouTube. #PriscillaSA
PRISCILLA SA CAST
Bernadette – DAVID DENNIS
Mitzi/Tick – DANIEL BUYS
Felicia/Adam – PHILLIP SCHNETLER
Bob – JAMES BORTHWICK
Marion – TARYN-LEE HUDSON
Cynthia – CHANTAL HERMAN
Shirley – CANDICE VAN LITSENBORGH
Diva – LONDIWE DHLOMO
Diva – CANDIDA MOSOMA
Diva – THEMBEKA MNGUNI
Male Ensemble: TSHEPO NCOKOANE, ZANE GILLION, MICHAEL FULLARD, CRAIG HAWKS, HENK OPPERMAN, MICHAEL WALLACE, RYAN FLYNN, SAMUEL HYDE, LOURENS OBERMEYER, DARIUS ENGELBRECHT, DIRK JOUBERT, JONATHAN RAATH, DUANE ALEXANDER
Female Ensemble: NADINE GROBBELAAR, DONAE BRAZER
Benji: Michael Fry, Ashton Mervis. Levi Maron
