RIALTO CHATTER: Tony Sheldon Confirmed for Broadway's PRISCILLA?

As BroadwayWorld has reported, Deadline.com revealed that Matt Cavenaugh and Will Swenson may join original cast member Tony Sheldon for the Broadway premiere of PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT. BroadwayGirlNYC revealed on her twitter that Jessica Philips and Joshua Buscher may be joining the cast, as well.

Today in an article out in The Australian, Tony Sheldon's mother reveals that Sheldon, who originated the role of Bernadette in Australia and is now starring as the character in the West End, will make the Broadway transfer next season. Sheldon was nominated for a 2010 Olivier Award for his performance.

Says Sheldon's mother, stage vet Toni Lamond, "I'm so excited...This is the holy grail. Getting to London was one stop and this is the whole way." 

Lamond also reveals that the only challenge for Sheldon is securing a green card (he is Australian). Actor's Equity has allegedly given Sheldon their blessing. 

To read the full report in The Australian, click here.

PRISCILLA - which is currently casting for a March, 2011 opening - has been rumored to be going into the Richard Rodgers Theatre, current home to IN THE HEIGHTS. Matt Cavenaugh (WEST SIDE STORY) is supposedly in talks to play Adam/Felicia, the role originated in the 1994 film by Guy Pearce. Will Swenson (HAIR) in supposedly in talks to play Tick/Mitzy, originated onscreen by Hugo Weaving.  It had been expected that original cast member Tony Sheldon - who was the only original cast member to transfer to the West End - would play Bernadette, the film role originated by Terence Stamp.

The hit musical celebrated a year in the West End on March 23rd, 2010 having completed over 425 performances at the Palace Theatre since its opening last year.

Based on the Oscar award-winning film and written by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott and directed by Simon Phillips, Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert The Musical tells the story of Tick, Bernadette and Adam, a glamorous Sydney-based performing trio who agree to take their show to the middle of the Australian outback.

Priscilla Queen Of the Desert The Musical is an adventure of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship and end up finding more than they could ever have dreamed. With an array of outrageous costumes and featuring a score of dance-floor classics, Priscilla is a journey to the heart of fabulous.

Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical had its world premiere in Sydney in October 2006 and has subsequently wowed audiences and critics alike in Melbourne and New Zealand, becoming the most successful Australian musical of all time. After a return Sydney season last year due to popular demand, the London production now celebrates its first year in the West End. Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical will open at the Prince of Wales Theatre, Toronto on 12 October and with plans for a Broadway transfer to open early 2011. Further international dates are also in discussion for productions in Brazil, Scandinavia and Germany.

Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert The Musical - adapted from the Oscar®-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 by Stephen ‘Spud' Murphy and Production Design is by BrIan Thomson. Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner have re-created their Oscar®-winning Costume Designs, which were originally designed for the film. BAFTA Award winning Make Up design is recreated by Cassie Hanlon. Lighting is designed by Nick Schlieper and Sound design by Michael Waters.

Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert The Musical is produced in London by Liz Koops and Garry McQuinn for Back Row Productions, Michael Hamlyn for Specific Films, Allan Scott, John Frost, Michael Chugg, David Mirvish and The Really Useful Group.

For more information, visit priscillathemusical.com. Ticket prices for the West End production - Monday to Thursday evenings at 7.30pm and Thursday matinees at 2.30pm: £60, £45, £25, £20
Saturday matinees at 2.30pm & Friday & Saturday evenings at 7.30pm and Sunday matinees:
£65, £45, £25, £20. Box Office: 0844 755 0016.