Sing along, dance along with Priscilla

MANILA, Philippines - Years ago, there was this hit comedy movie from Australia called Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, about three drag queens — two transvestites and one transsexual — who journeyed through the Australian desert in a bus (the “queen” of the title), having good times and enduring some hardships, including discrimination and then finding themselves as persons.

When good friend Bryan Angelo of Resorts World Manila (www.rwmanila.com) informed me recently that Priscilla would be their fifth major production, I did a double take. Hey, I said, that’s a gay-themed show, not a family presentation like Cinderella and The King & I. You might lose your audience.

That’s why it will be interesting, he insisted, and told me more or less to just wait and see.

Soon the suspense ended. It turned out that the cult film had morphed into an award-winning musical, first staged in Sydney and then in Broadway, with plenty of songs and dances, and it was said to be thoroughly entertaining.

Judging by the size and reaction of the crowd at the Newport Performing Arts Theater during the recent premiere night, it looks like Resorts World Manila has another hit on its hands. Directed by Jaime del Mundo, Priscilla: Queen of the Desert will run until July 13.

One or two scenes may not be for children, like an attempted gang rape and sodomy. But overall, the show is inoffensive, and adults and teenagers will surely enjoy it.      

The production is propelled by special effects, stunning visuals of the Australian desert, high technology, throbbing music from a live band, sprightly choreography and movable sets and props (the bus of the title is impressive).

The music is retro ’80s, pop-rock-disco standards, and yet the present generation should be able to relate to it. The songs are well-integrated into the story, highlight a particular situation and help keep things moving.

The young Red Concepcion as Felicia holds his own against the veteran thespians Leo Valdez (as Mitzi) and Jon Santos as Bernadette. In fact, Concepcion almost runs away with the show because his role is the most flamboyant and attention calling. Santos plays it cool, ala Beyoncé, while Valdez effectively conveys the dilemma of a gay who is also a father.

“It’s a sing-along, dance-along musical,” laughed a seatmate. Photo by Amadís Ma. Guerrero