The film version, titled The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, was released in 1994 staring Hugo Weaving, Guy Pearce, and Terence Stamp. The musical first debuted in Sydney in October of 2006. It premiered on Broadway in 2011. It went on tour in 2013, including a stop at the Auditorium Theatre. It opened on July 15, 2022 at the Mercury Theater.

A drag queen decides it is time to drive across Australia from Sydney to Alice Springs to meet his son. He books a show in Alice Springs and brings along two other drag queens. Along the way, they encounter new friends and enemies in their adventure across the outback. Interwoven into the story are dance hits such as “It’s Raining Men,” “I Will Survive,” and “True Colors.”

It is a very fun and campy production. The costumes are excellent and there are so many of them. It’s very impressive how many changes there are. The set is also very well designed and transforms easily from scene to scene.

The entire cast is great. Josh Houghton is excellent as the father traveling to see his son. He is quite nervous about making a good impression.  Shaun White is fabulous as the new young star whose dream is to dance and sing on the top of Ayers Rock, aka Uluru, in full Kylie Minogue drag. Honey West (Gypsy) is fantastic as the veteran drag queen teaching everyone else the ropes. Jason Richards (Avenue Q and The Producers) is great as the helpful local who hits it off with Honey’s character. Ayana Strutz (A Chorus Line) is exceptional as Bob’s wife who has one hell of a scene going nuts in a bar. Marcus Jackson (Sister Act) and Matthew Weidenbener (A Chorus Line) display some superb dancing throughout the show. 

See the full program here.

Cost of a ticket: $35 and up

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Worth It +

Rating Scale: Exceptional Value > Worth It > Half Price > Go for Free > Don’t Bother

Get tickets now for Priscilla Queen of the Desert – The Musical through September 11^th!

Quinn Delaney