BWW TV Exclusive: Behind the Scenes of PRISCILLA with Swarovski

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Swarovski is playing a dazzling supporting role in PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL on Broadway and they've shared an exclusive look behind the scenes at the show with BroadwayWorld.com 

In order to give the costumes and set design their much-needed shimmer, the production team turned to Swarovski. Tim Chappel, Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical costume designer, said of his creations, "As a designer I like to choreograph the way the eye travels across the stage. Swarovski is a brilliant tool for arresting the audience's attention. Nothing coruscates as brilliantly, and the range of colors and textures allows you to create a wide variety of moods from the heights of giddy ecstasy to dark and delicious poison."

"Swarovski is delighted to be a part of the Broadway production of PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL. Swarovski crystal, which is renowned for its sparkling and alluring properties, is perfectly placed by PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT'S production team to bring the costumes and set to life in this colorful tale." Nadja Swarovski, Vice President International Communications and Creative Director, Swarovski.

Chappel successfully uses Swarovski to do just that, create and change the mood of the musical with his 62 crystallized costumes strategically placed throughout the show. He takes the audience from the expression of irrepressible freedom and pure joy of "Material Girl" to the surreally funny of the funeral scene "Don't Leave Me This Way". To go along with the crystal encased costume in "Material Girl", Swarovski also played an integral part in the set design of this show-stopping number, putting its mark on the most magnificent set piece of the musical: the giant shoe, encrusted in 2,500 crystals, that carries Felicia, pictured below.

Key costumes use Swarovski elements in adventurous ways to create scintillating moments. One dress incorporates Swarovski pollen and crystal bees, while signature aurora borealis Swarovski crystals adorn corselets, headdresses and shoes. Each dazzling piece is garnished with 200 to 400 individual crystals, while the show's stand-out giant stiletto received the most generous showering of sparkle.

Following hit productions in Australia, London and Toronto, PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL opened to critical acclaim on March 20 at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway). Featuring a score of over 20 dance-floor classics, a company of 27, and with a dazzling array of more than 500 outrageous costumes, the spectacular new stage 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. Production supervised by Jerry Mitchell. 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, sound design is by Jonathan Deans and Peter Fitzgerald and make up design is 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.