• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Write
  • Intern
  • Events
  • About
  • Contact

The Austinot

Discover Austin Texas! An Austin blog with hundreds of unique articles.

  • Things To Do
    • Things To Do This Weekend
    • Things To Do This Week
    • Things To Do This Weekend With Kids
  • Discoveries
    • Austinot Loves
    • Activities
    • Day Trips
    • Local Business
  • Food & Drink
    • Food
    • Drink
  • Entertainment
    • Events
    • Film
    • Music
    • Nightlife
    • Theatre
  • Culture
    • Arts
    • History
    • Museums
  • Et Cetera
    • Non-Profits
    • Podcast
    • Archives

Zach Theatre Energetically Presents Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

October 11, 2016 by Kelli McDonald Leave a Comment

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert Dance Number

A look at the signature crazy costumes worn by the cast of “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” (Credit: Kirk Tuck)

When ZACH opened up the Topfer Theatre in 2012, the Austin theater scene jumped up a few notches. ZACH has presented quality musicals and plays since 1932, but once they built a beautiful contemporary theater to house their productions, the whole experience was elevated.

A perfect example of this creative boost is the newly opened “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.” With booty shaking music and enough costume changes to boggle the mind, this musical will have audiences grinning from ear to ear for over two hours.

Who/What Is Priscilla?

Priscilla Bus in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

Anthony Vincent Toudjarov, Joshua Denning and Jack Donahue stand in front of Priscilla before her paint job (Credit: Kirk Tuck)

Set in the Australian Outback, “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” follows three drag queens who are working through contrasting points in their lives. Tick (also known as Mitzi) is the main character who harbors a secret life while planning a road trip across Australia. The journey culminates in a big performance that changes his future.

Tick is joined on the trip by Bernadette, an older queen who champions the art of lip synch, and Adam (also known as Felicia), the sassy youngster with a Kylie Minogue obsession. Last, but certainly not least, is Priscilla, the moniker of the small pink bus with never-ending room for fabulous costumes.

For the most part, the musical stays celebratory and upbeat, but the production isn’t afraid to touch on topics like sexuality, gender and the pain that comes with being misunderstood. While the performance may redden the cheeks of more traditional viewers, for those who embrace the spirit of the Priscilla, the musical can be a rewarding excursion through a landscape of camaraderie doused in glitter.

If the story sounds familiar, perhaps the 1994 film, “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” staring Hugo Weaving, Guy Pearce and Terence Stamp rings a bell. According to a section of the musical’s playbill written by director Abe Reybold, the movie achieved cult status and “both shocked and rocked the world, leaving an indelible mark on the Australian film industry and beyond.” Anything this colorful and music-fueled would naturally appeal to Austin audiences, too.

The Big Pink Bus in Austin

paint brush dresses in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

Paint brush dresses (Credit: Kirk Tuck)

From the moment the disco balls begin spinning above the seats of Topfer Theatre, the stage seems adrenalized. The cast’s enthusiasm is contagious as soon as their smiles grace the stage. Starting off with a rendition of “It’s Raining Men,” the show leaps from one recognizable hit pop song to another. Expect to hear adapted versions of toe-tappers like “I Say A Little Prayer,” “I Will Survive,” “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” and a particularly beautiful version of “Always on My Mind.”

Josh Denning leads the cast as Tick. He welcomes the audience with his beautifully deep, buttery vocals while Jack Donahue gracefully emotes Bernadette’s story all the way to the back of the venue. Anthony Vincent Toudjarov rounds out the trio by playing Adam/Felicia with flare and youthful ambition. There are some wonderful female voices, as well, like Chanel Haynes-Shwartz who completely blows listeners away as part of the ensemble cast.

Flip Flop Dress Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

According to the playbill, the flip-flop dress in the film was made for only $7 (Credit: Kirk Tuck)

The Austin cast makes the costumes look easy to wear and perform in, though I’ve heard the signature pyramid pants are weighed down with rather heavy shoes. Between all of the infectious energy on stage, audiences would never guess that anything is less than a second skin.

ZACH’s “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” never allows a wasted moment on stage. Something stimulating is always treating the audience’s eyes and ears. There’s even a subtly charming moment during the intermission (that’s not a part of the show) when a crew member walks around the stage to sweep away stray feathers and glitter adorning the floor after vigorous dance numbers.

You Should Visit the Desert

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert Austin Texas

Some audience members won’t be able to help mouthing along to the words (Credit: Kirk Tuck)

Zach Theatre’s production of “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” runs until the end of October with tickets available online. Pricing ranges from $29-81 before fees.

Keep in mind that, according to ZACH’s website, the show is appropriate for ages 13 and up. It deals with adult situations and there’s some suggestive dancing and cursing.

Grab your friends and join the gals on a road trip across the desert!

 

@MadameKLM wants to know:

Which “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” costume is your favorite?

 

Disclosure: I attended a complimentary press viewing of the play for the purposes of this review. All opinions are my own.

Filed Under: Entertainment, Theatre Tagged With: zach theatre

Best of The Austinot

We always have unique content on The Austinot and we love to give things away. You know, like concert tickets, gift cards, and other cool stuff. We only send out our “Best of the Austinot” newsletter twice a month. It’s where we give you a recap of our best articles and give stuff away. Interested? Subscribe to Best of The Austinot here!

Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Connect with Us

    Hyperlocal Blog About the City of A...

    To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

    Hyperlocal Blog About the City of Austin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Things to do

Things to do in Austin this week

10 Fun Things to do in Austin this week of July 4, 2022 include Round Rock Express Vs. Albuquerque, Cedar Park Fourth, and more!

Austin is now among the fastest-growing metroplexes in the US! Keeping up with the growth, luckily there’s plenty going on in Austin all days of the week. There are things to do on Monday in Austin, of course, things to do in Austin on Saturday night, and everything in between! Some of you may be […]

Things to do in Austin with kids this weekend

Top 10 Things to Do in Austin with Kids this Weekend of July 1, 2022 include Bastrop Patriotic Festival, Family Game Night, and More!

If there’s one thing about this city, it’s that there is always something going on. So, if you’re looking for fun things to do in Austin with kids this weekend of July 1, 2022, there’s plenty of fun to be had, including Dive In Movies – Wells Branch, Bastrop Patriotic Festival, and more!   Top […]

Things to do in Austin this weekend | Brick Rodeo

10 Fun Things to Do in Austin This Weekend of July 1, 2022 Include Brick Rodeo, Party at Independence, and More!

  For summer camp information, check out our page for Best Summer Camps in Austin for 2022!  If you would like to discover more Things to do in Austin this Week & Things to do in Austin with Kids this Weekend, check out Facebook for immediate notifications.

texas swimming holes near austin

Texas swimming holes near Austin – 10 watering holes for a fun swim this summer

If you have been looking for free places to swim in Austin or googling ‘swimming holes near me’, you are in the right place! Texas is known for a lot of things and one of them is relentlessly hot summers. The temperatures are rising in Austin and across the state. Luckily, there are also many […]

Austin trampoline parks - Urban Air Adventure Park (Cedar Park)

Austin Trampoline Parks – Best Indoor Jumping Places for Kids and Adults!

Trampoline parks were among the decade’s most unique leisure attractions. They offer a playful atmosphere where people can defy the laws of physics and have a good time hurling themselves around. It consists of a large room filled wall to wall with trampolines. On the weekend, you may get rid of your boredom and have […]

Recent Posts

  • 10 Fun Things to do in Austin this week of July 4, 2022 include Round Rock Express Vs. Albuquerque, Cedar Park Fourth, and more!
  • Top 10 Things to Do in Austin with Kids this Weekend of July 1, 2022 include Bastrop Patriotic Festival, Family Game Night, and More!
  • 4th July events in Austin: Independence day 2022 fireworks, parades, concerts & other celebrations!
  • 10 Fun Things to Do in Austin This Weekend of July 1, 2022 Include Brick Rodeo, Party at Independence, and More!
  • Texas swimming holes near Austin – 10 watering holes for a fun swim this summer

Welcome to The Austinot

We are all about Austin: the vibe, the people and the uniqueness of the city. We love to explore. Get to know us! We’ll respond if you comment. Heck, we’ll probably invite you to come and hang out with us!

Follow along to help support and learn more about local businesses, artists, and events.

-The Austinot Team

Privacy Policy

Trending Posts

  • 4th July events in Austin: Independence day 2022 fireworks, parades, concerts & other celebrations!
  • 10 Best Lakes in and around Austin
  • 7 Popular Lady Bird Lake Activities to Experience This Year
  • Day Trip in Austin: 10 Places To Visit Like a Tourist
  • 20 Restaurants Open Late in Austin – Best Late Night Food Places For Tasty Eats

Copyright © 2022 · Log in

wpDiscuz