PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT Announces Full Cast - Simon Green, Andre Torquato, Bryan Buscher-West and More; Oct. 14

By: Christina Mancuso Jul. 05, 2016

Lunchbox Theatrical Productions and Nullabor Productions are delighted to announce the full cast for the New Zealand production of the international smash hit PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT, THE MUSICAL opening on Friday, 14 October 2016 at The Civic in Auckland.

From West End and Broadway stars to film and television actors, pop singers and even Kanye West dancers -- this cast will have it all and promises to be one of THE most exciting to have graced The Civic stage.

Joining the previously announced Ray Meagher (aka Alf Stewart from Home and Away) as Bob the mechanic, are the West End's Simon Green as Bernadette, Brazilian star Andre Torquato as Adam/Felicia, and Broadway heart-throb Bryan Buscher-West as Tick/Mitzi.

Simon, a Drama Desk Award nominee and regular on television series including Mr Selfridge andEastenders, comes direct from playing Bernadette in the UK, Amsterdam and Tel Aviv. Green is a veteran West End performer, and prior to frocking up, featured in three Sondheim original West End productions as well as two concerts at the Royal Albert Hall - The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary andSondheim at 80 for the BBC Proms. In addition to leading roles at many of the UK's major theatres, his other West End credits include Disney's Beauty and the Beast, The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Boyfriend, The Wizard of Oz and Showboat.

"Bernadette is undoubtedly one of the best roles that I have ever had. She has the best lines and the funniest, saddest, loneliest moments in the play and she gets the best costumes."

Andre Torquato comes fresh from playing Adam/Felicia on board the Norwegian Epic cruise liner, and prior to that he played the role in the Brazilian production of PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT, THE MUSICAL. Based in New York City, the Brazilian is a graduate of The Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute. Other credits include The Sound of Music, Gypsy, The Witches of Eastwick, The Wizard of Oz, Godspelland Rent.

"I'm thrilled to be riding the pink bus one more time, now in beautiful New Zealand."

Bryan Buscher-West is a star of Broadway, having understudied both the roles of Adam/Felicia and Tick/Mitzi during the entire season ofPRISCILLA - co-produced there by mega diva Bette Midler! Bryan then boarded the big pink bus for a 12-month tour of the US, playing Adam/Felicia. His other Broadway credits including Wicked, Legally Blonde and Hairspray. He was no stranger to the stage when he arrived on Broadway, having been part of European pop band 5NY.

Long term fans of Shortland Street will see the return to our shores of Lena Cruz (aka outspoken clinic director SofiA Martinez). Since her shock exit in 2001, she has become hugely popular as a stage actress including creating the widely acclaimed role of Cynthia in the original production ofPRISCILLA. Other roles have included Menopause The Musical: Women On Fire, The Threepenny Opera, Fame, Hair - The Musical, and An Officer and A Gentleman. She will reprise her role as Cynthia when she returns to Auckland in October.

Many of the cast will come direct from the UK tour of PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT, THE MUSICAL, and have West End, Broadway or international tour credits (other career highlights bracketed). They are:

Amy Edwards (The Lion King, Australia), Aaron Sweeney-Harris (Aladdin, O2 London and featured dancer for Katie Melua), Joshua Buscher-West (PRISCILLA since the North American Premier in Toronto, Canada, including Broadway), Adam Lyons (Kanye West dancer Brit Awards 2015), Ian Oswald (Pirates of the Caribbean, feature film, Chicago and Starlight Express), Callum Nicol (Dirty Dancing, West End, Finding Neverland feature film with Johnny Depp), John Brannoch (Matilda the Musical, West End and Chicago, West End), Martin Harding (PRISCILLA, UK Tour), Evan Wittstock (Les Misérables, Hello, Dolly!, Pippin, and Kiss Me, Kate), Craig Ryder (We Will Rock You, West End andUK Tour), Regan Shepherd (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, UK Tour and The Witches of Eastwick), Ellie Leah (Sister Act, West End and Mamma Mia! International Tour), Erin Bruce (Shout!), Bleu Woodward (Kinky Boots, West End and Mamma Mia! International Tour), Amy Di Bartolomeo (Starlight Express, Germany).

With 10 years and several thousand kilometres racked up, the pink bus is looking more magnificent than ever for its triumphant return on 14 October and will run for a strictly limited season. Get your ticket to ride on this FABULOUS journey from Ticketmaster today.

This wildly fresh and funny musical based on the Oscar-winning film features a hit parade of dance-floor favourites, over 500 outrageous costumes, 200 extraordinary headdresses and a 10 metre long customised bus weighing 6 tonnes as its sparkling centrepiece - PRISCILLA is a must-see spectacular!

The record-breaking stage spectacular that sold 100,000 tickets in the six amazing weeks it was here in 2008 returns to our shores by popular demand, brought by the producers of the smash hit musicalsCats as well as Singin' In The Rain, The Sound of Music and Annie.

PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT, THE MUSICAL has already been seen by close to 5 million people and grossed in excess of $300 million worldwide to become the most successful Australian musical of all time.

Originating & international Producer Garry McQuinn says that one of the great highlights ofPRISCILLA's first Australasian tour was the wonderful reception it received from the New Zealand audience at The Civic.

"A decade later in 2016, our pink bus will return. She's done a few kilometres since then - having been around the world a number of times with 17 international productions ... including those on the West End and Broadway. She's more fabulous than ever and I'm delighted to be bringing her back to New Zealand."

Get ready for the musical bus journey of your life!

Songs Include:

· It's Raining Men

· Downtown

· I've Never Been to Me

· What's Love Got to Do With It

· Don't Leave Me This Way

· Venus

· Go West

· I Say a Little Prayer

· I Love the Nightlife

· Colour My World