Tony Sheldon and Will Swenson Hop Aboard Broadway-Bound Priscilla Queen of the Desert
Tony Sheldon and Will Swenson are set to star in the previously announced pre-Broadway run of Priscilla Queen of the Desert at Toronto’s Prince of Wales Theatre. Directed by Simon Phillips, the production begins performances on October 12 and will run for 12 weeks before transferring to a yet to be named Broadway theater later in the season. Additional principal casting will be announced shortly.
The cast will also include C. David Johnson (Bob), James Brown III (Jimmy), Nathan Lee Graham (Miss Understanding), J. Elaine Marcos (Cynthia), Jessica Phillips (Marion), Steve Schepis (Farrah), Keala Settle (Shirley), plus "Divas" Jacqueline Arnold and Anastacia McCleskey. Featured in the ensemble are Nick Adams, Thom Allison, Kyle Brown, Joshua Buscher, Susan Dunstan, David Lopez, Eric Sciotto, Bryan West, Wayne Wilcox and Tad Wilson.
Priscilla Queen of the Desert is a heart-warming, uplifting adventure of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship in the middle of the Australian outback and end up finding more than they could ever have dreamed. The show, written by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott, had its world premiere in Australia in 2006.
Sheldon received an Olivier nomination for Priscilla after having originated the role of Bernadette in Australia and transferring to London’s West End. This will be his Broadway debut. His other stage credits include The Producers, The Witches of Eastwick, Noises Off and I Hate Hamlet.
Swenson, who will play Tick/Mitzi, earned a Tony nomination for his performance as Berger in the current revival of Hair. He, along with much of the show’s original cast, followed the production to London for its West End transfer earlier this year. He has also appeared on Broadway in 110 in the Shade, Lestat and Brooklyn. Off-Broadway credits include Rock of Ages, The Slug Bearers of Kayrol Island and Adrift in Macao.
Will Swenson talks about the show in this YouTube video:
