Priscilla: announces complete cast

The complete cast has been announced for the pre-Broadway North American company of Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical written by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott and directed by Simon Phillips.

As previously announced the musical will star Olivier Award nominee Tony Sheldon (Priscilla), Tony Award nominee Will Swenson (Tick/Mitzi) and Nick Adams (Adam/Felicia) as the trio of friends who make their own personal journeys of discovery as they go across Australia from Sydney to the outback, in a battered old bus named Priscilla, to perform their show - singing their way through disco songs.

Ashley Spencer ("Diva"), Mike McGowan ("Frank"), Christopher Gurr, Ellyn Marie Marsh and Jeff Metzler complete the cast of the musical that will begin performances at The Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto for a twelve-week only, pre-Broadway engagement beginning 12 Oct 2010 and opening on 26 Oct 2010.

The musical, as previously announced, will also feature Steve Schepis (Farrah), Keala Settle (Shirley), 'Divas' Jacqueline Arnold and Anastacia McCleskey and Thom Allison, Kyle Brown, Bryan West, Tad Wilson, Joshua Buscher, Susan Dunstan, David Lopez and Eric Sciotto.

Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical In Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical, Drag queen Mitzi (Will Swenson), and friends Felicia (Nick Adams) and Bernadette (Tony Sheldon) make their own personal journeys of discovery as they go across Australia from Sydney to the outback, in a battered old bus named Priscilla, to perform their show - singing their way through disco songs.

The new stage musical will begin performances at The Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto for a twelve-week only, pre-Broadway engagement beginning 12 Oct 2010 and officially opening on 26 Oct 2010. Priscilla Queen Of The Desert will open on Broadway in Spring 2011 at a theater to be announced.

Priscilla Queen Of The Desert will also feature 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), and 'Divas' Jacqueline Arnold, Anastacia McCleskey, as well as Thom Allison, Kyle Brown, Joshua Buscher, Susan Dunstan, David Lopez, Eric Sciotto, Bryan West, Wayne Wilcox and Tad Wilson.

Australian star Tony Sheldon (Olivier Award nominee for 'Priscilla') will make his Broadway debut as "Bernadette," the role he originated in the original Australian production and played in London's West End.

Will Swenson, who will play 'Tick'/'Mitzi,' is currently starring in 'Hair' in the West End direct from the Tony Award winning Broadway production and was recently seen on Broadway in the revival of '110 in the Shade' and the original musicals 'Lestat' and 'Brooklyn.'

Priscilla Queen Of The Desert, adapted from the Academy Award winning film 'The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert,' starring Terence Stamp, Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce, is written by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott. Direction is by Simon Phillips, choreography is by Ross Coleman, musical supervision and arrangements are by Stephen 'Spud' Murphy and set design is by Brian Thomson. Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner have re-created their Academy Award winning costume designs, which were originally designed for the film. Lighting is designed by Nick Schlieper and sound design is by Jonathan Deans. BAFTA Award winning make up design is recreated by Cassie Hanlon.

Priscilla Queen Of The Desert is produced by Liz Koops and Garry McQuinn for Back Row Productions, Michael Hamlyn for Specific Films, Allan Scott Productions, David Mirvish, Roy Furman, Terry Allen Kramer, Nederlander Organization, Terri and Timothy Childs / Ken Greiner / Chip Meyrelles, Bartner Group LLC, Chugg Entertainment, Bruce Davy, Michael Buckley, Stewart Lane, Thierry Suc and Volcano Project /TS3.

Priscilla Queen Of The Desert had its world premiere in Sydney in Oct 2006 and has subsequently played in Melbourne and New Zealand, becoming the most successful Australian musical of all time. Following a return Sydney season last year due to popular demand, the London production recently celebrated its first year in the West End at the Palace Theatre. Along with Toronto and Broadway, further international dates are also in discussion for productions in Brazil, Scandinavia and Germany.

The London production, playing at the West End's Palace Theatre, currently stars Don Gallagher (Bernadette), Ben Richards (Tick - Mitzi) and Oliver Thornton (Adam - Felicia).

Bios for newly announced members of cast:

Ashley Spencer (Diva). Broadway credits include playing 'Sandy Dumbrowski' in 'Grease' and 'Amber Von Tussle' in 'Hairspray.' Regional - at Pittsburgh CLO: 'Ulla' in 'The Producers,' 'Nikki Harris' in 'Curtains,' 'Eponine' in 'Les Miserables' at the MUNY and 'Amber' in 'Hairspray.' Ashley was a finalist on the reality TV series "Grease You're the One that I Want!"

Mike McGowan (Frank). Broadway: 'Ragtime,' 'Grease,' 'The Apple Tree,' 'The Producers.' New York: 'Bernstein's Mass,' soloist (Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, Naxos recording), 'Thou Swell' (Lincoln Center and London's Coliseum), 'The Body Beautiful' (York Theater, recording), 'Grey Gardens' (Playwrights' Horizons), 'Ringling Bros.' (Ringmaster, Madison Square Garden) and 'Macbeth' (Macbeth). Film: "The Producers." Television: "The New Electric Company," "Delocated" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm."

Christopher Gurr (Ensemble) recently appeared in the North American tour of Monty Python's 'Spamalot.' Regional performing credits include: 'Copenhagen,' '1776,' 'The Lion in Winter,' 'Twelve Angry Men,' 'Measure for Measure,' Ostrovsky's 'A Family Affair,' 'Candida,' 'Trask & Fenn' and 'The Boys Next Door.'

Ellyn Marie Marsh (Ensemble). Broadway, national tours, and regional credits include: 'Enron,' 'West Side Story,' 'A Chorus Line,' 'Urinetown,' 'Cabaret,' 'Damn Yankees' and 'Grease.'

Jeff Metzler (Ensemble) made his Broadway debut in 2007 in 'Mary Poppins.' He has also been seen touring across the U.S. with '42nd Street,' 'Fosse' and with the Rockettes in 'The Radio City Christmas Spectacular.' Other credits include North Shore Music Theatre ('Camelot,' 'Singin' in the Rain'), Walnut St. Theatre ('Hello, Dolly!'), Gateway Playhouse (42nd Street), Merry Go Round Playhouse and Broadway Theatre Project. Film: 'David 'in "The Big Gay Musical."