Priscilla: Adam LeFevre and Julie Reiber to join cast
The Broadway premiere of Priscilla Queen Of the Desert the Musical will welcome two new principal cast members on 6 Feb 2012. Adam LeFevre will assume the role of 'Bob' from original cast member C. David Johnson, and Julie Reiber will assume the role of 'Marion' from original cast member Jessica Phillips. Philips is soon to star alongside Raúl Esparza in the upcoming Broadway musical Leap of Faith.
Broadway veteran LeFevre has starred in the musicals 'MAMMA MIA!,' 'Footloose' and 'Guys and Dolls,' on television in the series "Recount" and HBO's "Empire Falls" and in over 80 feature films including "The Ref," "Fools Gold" and "She's Out of My League."
Julie Reiber has appeared on Broadway in the musicals 'Wicked,' 'Brooklyn' and 'All Shook Up' and in the national tour of 'Rent.' Her debut album "Love Travels" will be released in March.
Priscilla Queen Of the Desert the Musical opened at the Palace Theatre on 20 Mar 2011, following previews from 28 Feb 2011, and is currently selling tickets through to 12 Sep 2012.
The musical opened to mixed reviews: A spectacular performance by Tony Sheldon (new yorktheatreguide.com); Feels monotonous and mechanical (NY Times); Has a big, joyous heart (NY Post); Raucously winning (Bloomberg); A roaring good time (Back Stage).
The show won the 2011 Tony Award for Best Costume Design, and Austrailian actor Tony Sheldon was nominated for his role as 'Bernadette.'
Adapted from the Academy Award winning film 'The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert,' starring Terence Stamp, Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce, Priscilla Queen Of the Desert the Musical is written by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott.
Directed by Simon Phillips, the musical currently stars Olivier Award nominee Tony Sheldon (Bernadette), 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.
The cast also includes C. David Johnson (Bob), James Brown III (Jimmy), Nathan Lee Graham (Miss Understanding), Mike McGowan (Frank), J. Elaine Marcos (Cynthia), Jessica Phillips (Marion), Steve Schepis (Farrah), Keala Settle (Shirley) and Jacqueline Arnold, Anastacia McCleskey and Ashley Spencer 'Divas.'
The creative teams features choreography by Ross Coleman, musical supervision and arrangements by Stephen 'Spud' Murphy and set design 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 the Musical 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.
The show 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 production opened in London on 23 Mar 2009, where it will play its final performance on 31 Dec 2011.
Adam LeFevreJulie ReiberOriginally published on