Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

(Chanel Haynes-Schwartz, one of the Divas)

Last night was the Champagne Opening of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert at ZACH Theatre. Whenever I have the opportunity I like to see performances and see how they progress and the changes from Dress Rehearsal to preview to opening and closing night. By closing night the actors are so comfortable in their roles and with each other that the last show is such a high energy filled with lots of emotion. The same is true for opening night even though they are working over those nerves, as if they are performing for the first time.

I wasn't familiar with the musical adaptation based upon the film of the same name. I brought back memories of seeing the film at the Seattle International Film Festival back in 1994. I remember meeting the film makers during a Q&A. Many people were curious as to how they got Terrence Stamp to play the role of Bernadette. I also learned about getting the rights to music for films. There is a scene in the film where the three main characters go to the top of Ayers Rock, but there is no music because they could not get the rights tot he song they wanted to use.
(You would think people would want the free advertisement, but that isn't always the case.)

In the musical version that issue has been resolved. There is music when they get to the top of the Rock.

ZACH's production is directed by Abe Reybold and stars Joshua Denning as Tick, Jack Donahue as Bernadette and Anthony Vincent Toudjarov as Adam/Felicia.

The musical is high energy, full of color with moments that will touch home with most people. Everyone knows some moment when they feel like an outcast.
Everyone in the production is so talented, but there are always standouts for me. I'm always looking through my camera to pick up on the energy of the actors or dancers and that's where my focus goes when I'm taking pictures.

Chanel Haynes-Shwartz, Jack Donahue, Kim Stacy and Hunter Regian are those stand out for me. Hunter Regain was last seen as a dancer in Mary Poppins, but in Priscilla he gets to shine as the young Bernadette in a musical number from Les Girls.

Kim Stacy was scene in James and The Giant Peach as Aunt Sponge. In Priscilla she steals every scene she is in.

Jack Donahue is excellent as Bernadette. Not to make comparisons, but it happens. He plays the role similar to that of Terrence Stamp in the film version.

Then there is Chanel Haynes-Schwartz, who I first met when she did Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies also directed by Abe Reybold. Not only is she a lovely person, she has an incredible voice. Chanel was a part of the gospel group Trinitee 5;7
When the Divas came out, the first thing that came to mind was the Muses from Hercules. Which always bring me back to the idea that artists do think alike and sometimes what we like we incorporate it into what we do. Artists are inspired by many things.

The choreography is by the talented Dominique Kelley who has choreographed several television shows and many entertainers. Dominique choreographed Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies at ZACH.

Allen Robinson, The musical director gives us the music that makes  everyone wants to get up and shake their groove thing.

The show will run Wednesday - Sunday until October 30, 2016. Check the web sight for more information. Zachtheatre.org.

I really enjoyed the production at ZACH and hope that I can see it a few more times.