Don’t Miss The Bus—Opening Night Of Priscilla Queen Of The Desert

The rehearsals are over. The bus is painted. The wigs are teased. It’s showtime!

Piper Theatre’s production of Priscilla Queen of the Desert opens tonight, July 6! Last month, BKLYNER spoke with John McEneny and Kim Maier, the show’s Director and Executive Producer, respectively, and got the scoop behind the dazzling, feel-good summer show.

Adapted for Broadway by Simon Phillips from the hit 1994 comedy film, The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, the stage production of Priscilla moves the trio of traveling drag performers from the 1990s Australian outback to today’s Trump-era America, addressing themes of transgender rights, homophobia, and gay parenting.

BKLYNER caught a preview of the production Wednesday (July 5) in Washington Park. It’s a fun, lively show with a talented, charismatic cast; creative costumes; effervescent dance numbers; and lots of great tunes including dance favorites I Will Survive, It’s Raining Men, and Go West, as well as pop hits by Cyndi Lauper, Pat Benatar, and more, played by a live band.

It was lovely to see, reenacted from the movie, the stream of silver lamé flow behind the bus as Felicia lip-syncs a Verdi aria, and surprising to see Cynthia’s ping pong ball-popping trick included in this stage version. The show does use some naughty language and does deal with adult themes, so parents should proceed with caution if they decide to bring the kids along.

Like the film, the Piper Theatre production of Priscilla Queen of the Desert is an exuberant romp that will put a smile on your face and a sashay in your step.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert
Free & outdoors at the Old Stone House in Washington Park
Fourth Avenue, between 3rd & 4th Streets, Park Slope
Thursdays through Saturdays at 8pm
July 6, 7, 8
July 13, 14, 15
July 20, 21, 22

[Photos by Pamela Wong/BKLYNER]