BWW Interviews: Tony Sheldon Talks PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT!

Priscilla Queen of the Desert began previews on October 12th in Toronto, and had its official pink carpet opening on the 26th of October. BWW has been on hand to bring you photos, videos and interviews with the cast and crew as they prepare to launch the North American Premiere of this international smash. Now, we are thrilled to bring you interviews with the show's four stars!

Priscilla is already a world-renowned hit, with successful productions in Australia and London. It is scheduled to begin performances on Broadway at the Palace Theatre on February 28th with official opening night set for March 20th, 2011. Before that, it will do a 12 week run in Toronto which ends January 2nd, 2011.

As previously announced, the production stars Will Swenson (Tick/Mitzi), Tony Sheldon (Bernadette), Nick Adams (Adam/Felicia), and C. David Johnson (Bob). Completing the cast are Jacqueline B. Arnold (Diva), James Brown III (Jimmy), Trek Bucciino (Benjamin), Nathan Lee Graham (Miss Understanding), J. Elaine Marcos (Cynthia), Anastacia McCleskey (Diva), Mike McGowan (Frank), Jessica Phillips (Marion), Steve Schepis (Farrah), Keala Settle (Shirley), Ashley Spencer (Diva), Thom Allison, Kyle Brown, Gavin Lodge, Jeff Metzler, BRyan West, Tad Wilson, Joshua Buscher, Susan Dunstan, David Lopez, Ellyn Marie Marsh and Eric Sciotto.

Today we are featuring Tony Sheldon, who has been with Priscilla since the very beginning.  He has played the role of Bernadette in both Melbourne and London and sat down to speak with us about what it has been like launching the North American production.

First, congratulations on Priscilla's North American debut! What is different about this incarnation of the show?

Well, after four years the show, it is the best it has ever been. We finally got it right.

What has the journey been like for you so far?

Incredible. I have been with the show from the very beginning and its very first incarnations - back when we knew we wouldn't have a desert, and working through how to make the songs tell the story and create this amazing fantasy. I am committed whole-heartedly to this show and have no qualms about doing it again for North America.

Being the only person who has been in Priscilla before this production must have come with a certain amount of responsibility. What has it been like for you?

I think it's important not to set yourself up as an expert on the show just because you have done it before. It is important to listen to others and pay attention because we have a wonderful team who have also been with the show from the beginning. And we have a great director and choreographer to help us learn the show.

What has been the hardest part of stepping back into Bernadette's heels?

Well, I had a six month leave before becoming involved with the North American cast, so mostly it has been a question of trying not to gain weight while I was "off" and getting back into appropriate shape. Dancing in heels isn't easy!

Your "Bernadette" has been described by castmates and critics as a "grande dame." Where do you draw your inspiration from?

Well, I come from a show business family and I knew a lot of drag queens growing up. My inspiration and take on the role comes (in part) from a lifetime of being around drag queens, studying them and seeing what their lives are like. They are extraordinary and I hope to portray some of that when I become Bernadette each night.

Tony Sheldon as "Bernadette" (photo credit: Joan Marcus)

How are you finding the audience reaction each night?

The audience is having a party at the Princess of Wales every night! It's a joy to hear the roar that goes up when the curtain rises and the cheering continues until the curtain falls at the end of the show. I was warned that Toronto audiences were conservative but I haven't seen much evidence of it so far.

What has been your favourite thing about launching the North American premiere so far?

When we first spoke we talked about what you would be looking forward to doing while in Toronto. Now that you have been here for awhile, do you have a favourite eatery, nightspot or anything else that you are really enjoying?

I haven't been out anywhere after the show so I don't know any of the local nightspots or eateries. But for lunch I've been enjoying Ravi's soups in Adelaide Street West and breakfast at the BQM Diner in Queen St. West. And the shopping on Bloor St. West is great fun, especially Honest Ed's in Mirvish Village. All those old theatre posters and photographs are a treasure trove for a trivia buff like me.

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When and Where?
Priscilla Queen of the Desert

The Princess of Wales Theatre

Performance Schedule:

Begins Oct 12th, 2010 and runs until January 2nd, 2011

Tuesday - Saturday at 8PM
Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2PM

Tickets can be purchased online at www.mirvish.com or be phone at 416-872-1212 or 1-800-461-3333

For more information visit www.priscillathemusical.com.