Friday, December 5, 2014

Review of RWM's PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT (And So You're Back): Flamboyantly Fun

December 6, 2014




I barely remember the movie that inspired this musical shown back in 1994. I knew it was about three drag queens (played by Hugo Weaving, Terence Stamp and Guy Pearce) who were stranded in the middle of the Australian outback, but I recall nothing more. 

This year back in May, "Priscilla Queen of the Desert" returned back to pop consciousness as a splashy big musical theater production at the Resorts World Manila, starring Leo Valdez, Jon Santos and Red Concepcion. Oddly, I did not really get the chance or the urge to watch the show throughout that entire 3-month run. Then in October, we heard the news that this same show went on to play at the Resorts World in Sentosa, Singapore to much acclaim as well. After that success, the show has returned to RW Manila for a final limited 8-show engagement.  The right opportunity just came earlier this week, so that finally, I was also able to see it last night.



Tick (a.k.a. Mitzi Mitosis) was a drag queen burning out with his routine in Sydney. He receives a call from his ex-wife Marion who invites him to bring his act to her new casino in Alice Springs in the middle of the Australian desert, and at the same time meet the son he left behind, 8 year old Benjamin. Tick invites his two good friends to come with him, though the two did not really get along at first. Ralph (a.k.a. Bernadette) is a transsexual, who used to star in an old school sophisticated drag queen act called Le Girls. Adam (a.k.a. Felicia) is a brash newcomer in the drag act with more flamboyant routines. They drive from Sydney to Alice Springs in a bus they painted pink which they baptized with the name Priscilla.

RW shows are known for their lavish sets and costumes, and this one is no different. They used the LED backdrop to very effective use to create extra dimensions on the stage. The rotating center of the stage was put to good effect for set changes, character movement and show off their central set piece, the bus Priscilla herself. There was a live band playing the musical accompaniment for all the retro hit songs the actors were singing, which was great. Director Jaime del Mundo had all the ingredients for a successful musical show and he made the best use of them all.



Michael Williams has taken over the role of Tick from Leo Valdez. Williams has this sad face that felt so right for this role. He was great in those dramatic scenes and songs ("I Say a Little Prayer", "True Colors"), especially when he was with Guido Gatmaytan, who played Tick's son Benjamin ("Always on My Mind'). He was also fearless in drag ("I Like the Nightlife","I Will Survive"), though his solo routines ("MacArthur Park") seemed more subdued than other two.

Red Concepcion finally found the role that fit him like a glove as Felicia. I know he is a good actor and singer, but I always felt something lacking or not exactly right. From the first time he appeared on stage with the song "Venus", Concepcion really owned the stage with his flamboyant strutting, big dance moves, skimpy costumes and hyper eyebrow lifting. His other solo spots were also show-stoppers, lip synching to a La Traviata aria and flirting with danger in "Hot Stuff."

I have to confess that I was disappointed that I did not catch Jon Santos as Bernadette last night. Even in the first run, I thought the only big reason to catch Priscilla was to see the comic genius of Jon Santos in action. However, as the play went on, it was clear that alternate Raymond Concepcion can also inhabit the dignified skin of Bernadette very well indeed. His best numbers were "A Fine Romance" with the Les Girls, and its reprise with the mechanic they met on the road Bob (Henry Strzalkowsky). I can imagine his singing is better than Jon Santos'.

We have lead star actors playing in supporting roles and in the chorus. Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo played smart and snappy Marion. Pinky Marquez played a very butch Shirley. To see OJ Mariano transformed into a tall Tina Turner-ish character named Ms. Understanding, with her sequined minidress, high heels and big green shaggy wig was great fun.  The three Divas -- Lani Ligot, Tammy Canlas and the always smashing Ima Castro (who had replaced Bituin Escalante from the first run) -- had strong voices and great harmony with each other. I did not know that Red Nuestro could dance so well.



There were some numbers that did not come across too well for me. Act 2 opening number "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" was rather lackluster. Felicia's final solo number "Confide in Me" was a bit of a let-down. They should have done "Like a Prayer" as the Broadway production did. In fact, the lack of songs by gay pop icons Madonna and Cher can be felt. The Filipina mail-order bride Cynthia was played too annoyingly as a stereotype, though her "talent" with the ping pong balls was hilariously staged. 

Overall though, this was a very entertaining show. The songs were all so familiar and so fun to hear and see come to life in those elaborate group numbers. For me, the absolute best numbers I was shamelessly singing along to the most were "Don't Leave Me This Way", "Go West" and "We Belong". Everything is so high energy. You will find it hard to resist getting up to dance with the cast at the finale. Even if you are not too much into the drag queen act, the nostalgia of hearing all this great retro music performed live with big production numbers is enough good reason to go catch it.

"Priscilla" has three more shows to go at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. Today December 6 there are two shows, at 3 pm and 8 pm, and tomorrow December 7, one last show at 3 pm. Tickets range from P3,700 to P1,200, with various discount promos you can check out at the RW website.




19 comments:

  1. Great description of the show! Makes me wanna watch it for real :)

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  2. I still want to watch this! If only they can extend their shows I would definitely go for this! I've only seen this on movies, I am sure watching it on theater is more fun!

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  3. this is interesting. not an ordinary act to watch

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  4. wow the show looks awesome! How I wish if they're available here

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  5. It needs an actors who could give much personalities for the three main characters. Filipinos for sure, can do the plays so well. Awesome review.

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  6. i enjoyed the film but have not seen the musical. Some great tunes though that should get everyone up and dancing :-)

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  7. I hope there will be a repeat and I hope I will have the chance to watch it. Those colorful costumes plus sheer talent are formula for good entertainment. Lucky you!

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  8. Shows like these requires much accuracy and even perfection. My interest usually plummets when there are parts/characters of the show that are not portrayed well. However, my following your reviews makes me want to watch one in SG as I am headed there next year. Might have to arrange a schedule for these kinds of shows.

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  9. I think having captivated RW Sentosa is another indication that their performance is world class. Glad you were able to catch it when it was shown here.

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  10. Wow the LED lights look impressive. I like musicals and they make me really happy afterwards because of their songs and dances.

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  11. You visit such wonderful performances. I love your detailed reviews and this one is great, too :) I love musicals :D

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  12. I've attended this too! I'm bad with names and characters, should have seen this first before watching the show haha great write-up :)

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  13. I have yet to see this, but have heard great things about it. Nothing like a live show to make one happy!

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  14. Those were pretty LED lights! It sure did keep the performances alive! I haven't seen an energetic musical such as this and I'm including this in my bucket list. So wait, is Jon Santos really a part of this and you just didn't get to watch it or he wasn't really there? Jon Santos is my favorite!

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    1. Jon Santos is the official Bernadette. However for this particular show I watched, it was his alternate that u caught, Raymond Concepcion. After my initial disappointment, Mr. Concepcion turned out to be quite good as well. :-)

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  15. I was about to say that's an old movie! I guess they've created a musical remake of the original film. It was a hoot!

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  16. Musicals somehow always make one happy... I'm never a fan of it, But I love movie musicals like High School Musical(s) and also Moulin Rouge... Perhaps it's more close up and there's more to the expression than from far.

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  17. "Priscilla Queen of the Desert" seems like a spectacular musical worth watching, the costumes are so flamboyant and amazing, and the whole atmosphere the actors create, at least judging by the photos is one of a kind.

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  18. Loved the description! Sounds like a good show.

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