Bette Midler Joins as PRISCILLA Producer

Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical made its pre-Broadway, North American debut when it began performances at The Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto today, October 12 toward an official opening on October 26. The twelve-week only limited engagement will play through January 2, 2011.

The New York Post is reporting star Bette Midler loved the show so much that she's invested a 'sizable chunk' of money and will be billed as an above the title producer. The paper also reports that she will be hands-on in rehearsals and note sessions as well for the Broadway-bound musical. 

Bette Midler made her Broadway debut playing Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof. Thereafter, she began singing in clubs around town including at the famed Continental Baths where she developed the trademark act that would make her one of the most renowned talents of a generation--bawdy humor, revealing costumes and a distinctive voice made for an act that was poignant, tacky and altogether fabulous. Her performances of songs like Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Delta Dawn, and Superstar were unforgettable and caused audiences to fall in love with the self-anointed "Divine Miss M." Bette's first album, The Divine Miss M, hit #9 on Billboard's Top 200 Chart and went platinum. In 1973, she won her first Grammy for Best New Artist. After successfully touring the world, she returned to Broadway in the Tony winning, Clams On The Halfshell.

The new stage musical written by Stephan Elliott andAllan Scott and directed by Simon Phillips, will open on Broadway this spring on March 20, 2011 at the Palace Theatre following previews beginning on February 28.

Olivier Award nominee Tony Sheldon ("Bernadette"), Tony Award(r) nominee Will Swenson("Tick"/ "Mitzi") and Nick Adams ("Adam"/"Felicia") star as the trio of friends on a heart-warming, uplifting adventure who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship in the middle of the Australian outback and end up finding more than they could ever have dreamed.

Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical will also feature C. David Johnson ("Bob"), James BrownIII ("Jimmy"), Nathan Lee Graham ("Miss Understanding"), Mike McGowan ("Frank"), J. Elaine Marcos ("Cynthia"), Jessica Phillips ("Marion"), Steve Schepis ("Farrah"), Keala Settle ("Shirley"), "Divas" Jacqueline Arnold, Anastacia McCleskey and Ashley Spencer and Thom Allison, Kyle Brown, BRyan West, Tad Wilson, Joshua Buscher, Susan Dunstan, Gavin Lodge, David Lopez, EllynMarie Marsh, Jeff Metzler and Eric Sciotto.

PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL, adapted from the Academy Award(r) winning film "The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert," starring Terence Stamp, Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce, is written by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott. Direction is by Simon Phillips, choreography is by Ross Coleman, musical supervision and arrangements are by STEPHEN 'SPUD' MURPHY and set design is by BrIan Thomson. Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner have re-created their Academy Award(r) winning costume designs, which were originally designed for the film. Lighting is designed by Nick Schlieper and sound design is by Jonathan Deans. BAFTA Award winning make up design is recreated by Cassie Hanlon.

PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL had its world premiere in Sydney in 2006 and has subsequently wowed audiences and critics alike in Melbourne and New Zealand, becoming the most successful Australian musical of all time. The London production is now in its second smash hit year in the West End at the Palace Theatre. Beyond Toronto and Broadway, further international dates are also in discussion for productions in Brazil, Scandinavia and Germany.
Along with winning the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Costume Design for Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner, the musical was also nominated for Best New Musical and Tony Sheldon was nominated for Best Actor in a Musical.The Evening Standard raved that Priscilla "Takes you out of yourself and into daring places your wildest fantasies might never have dreamed of visiting," and The Daily Telegraph, The Times, Evening Standard, and London Paper all gave the production "Four Stars!"

Earlier this year PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL won the Best Musical Award in London, voted for by Whatsonstage.com readers.

PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL is produced by Bette Midler; James L. Nederlander; Liz Koops and Garry McQuinn; Specific Films; Allan Scott Productions; Roy Furman;Terry Allen Kramer; Terri and Timothy Childs, Ken Greiner, Chip Meyrelles; Robert G. Bartner;Chugg Entertainment; Michael Buckley; Stewart F. Lane / Bonnie Comley; Bruce Davey; Thierry Suc/TS3; The Volcano Project; Paul Boskind and Martian Entertainment / Spirtas-Mauro Productions/MAS Music Arts & Show; and David Mirvish.

For more information visit:
priscillaonbroadway.com