Acclaimed musical gets another run

MANILA, Philippines - You know that a stage musical is good when it gets another run at the same venue.

On that note, less should be surprised and more must be excited as the critically-praised Priscilla, Queen of the Desert opens a second run at the Newport Performing Arts Theater at the Resorts World Manila.

The play about two drag queens and a transsexual together on a cross-country trip for a good gig in the Australian desert has won audiences largely for its offers of ’80s disco era music and the palpable chemistry among its actors led by veteran comedian Jon Santos.

The latest run covers two weekends, this Friday up to Sunday (Nov. 28 to 30) and then next weekend (Dec. 5 to 7).

Jon, who will reprise his role as Bernadette, recently told the press, referring to the previous dates and its “hugely-successful run in Singapore,” “They really came and sang and cried with us. Patuloy po ang good vibes in this new run.”

Veteran stage actor and director Michael Stuart Williams is going to breathe life to the lead role of Mitzi, while rising theater act Red Concepcion, with Raymond Concepcion II as alternate, plays Felicia.

The new run boasts a strong support cast that includes Pinky Marquez, Ima Castro, OJ Mariano and Menchu Launchengco-Yulo.

Red Concepcion as Felicia in the musical

Menchu hinted, “This is going to be a totally different show. We tweaked it a little bit.”

OJ, who will impersonate the legendary Tina Turner, said of his job, “Her ‘Hairness’ is not necessarily feminine and it’s one of the reasons why I like to do her.”

With its showcase of flamboyant costumes, wild headdresses and a remarkably-designed customized bus as centerpiece of its set design, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is capturing spectators the way musicals like Rock of Ages and Moulin Rouge do. The cross-dressing theme may have added to its glitter as it’s a nod to the now-more liberated LGBT sector.

To those with ear for music, listening to the Priscilla, Queen of the Desert playlist can be a memorable experience all in itself, with tracks such as It’s Raining Men, Finally, I Love The Night Life, Color My World,

Shake Your Groove Thing and I Will Survive, embracing nostalgia embedded in strong, effective melodies as tighter as the visual splendor of the actors’ looks and the set.

“I have concluded that ‘80s music is timeless,” remarked Jon.  

(For details, call RWM office at 908-8000 local 7700 or visit www.rwmanila.com/priscilla. Active and eligible Visa cardholders may get 50-percent discounts on tickets using their cards.)