Finale - Company. Photo - James MorganIt’s last call at The Regent Theatre, the disco ball is spinning, the spotlights are in waiting, and the star is having her shaft cranked for the last time. Come April 27, the mascara will be running as the 28 cast, 8 musicians and 53 crew who have kept Priscilla on the road since October 2006 will blow Melbourne an air kiss farewell.
But through the tears, Priscilla has a glint in her eye knowing she closes in Melbourne as the most successful homegrown musical of all time. After 611 performances, close to a million new friends and grossing over $80 million at the box office throughout her Australian season, Priscilla has certainly earned the right to shake her groove thang.
A UK production of Priscilla is now confirmed for 2009, with further productions being considered for Scandinavia, Germany, Italy, France, the USA, Canada, Japan, Brazil and New Zealand.
“To say we our proud of our show would be an understatement. Every moment in Priscilla’s Australian journey has been a pleasure and privilege. The Australian public have voted with their feet and we are very grateful and humbled by their support over the past 17 months,” said Producer Liz Koops of Back Row Productions.
The show’s other dazzling centrepiece, Tony Sheldon said, “I can’t say that in my career trajectory I pictured playing a transsexual with second billing to a bus, but I can honestly say Priscilla has been a pure joy. I am so proud to say I’m an Australian actor working in an Australian produced show telling an Australian story to an Australian audience. It’s been a long time coming.”
