The Cult Classic Rises Again

With impeccable timing, in honor of recent celebrity efforts to campaign for the acceptance of gay youth, the glittery showcase of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert premiered at The Princess of Wales theater in Toronto.

Based on the 1994 cult film following the lives of three drag queens, the traveling musical promised a theme of love for the misfits of the world. Promising the most glamorous fashions and out-there performances, the movie delivered full throttle. Tony Sheldon, the Australian actor who has played Bernadette in more than 1,100 performances of Priscilla, is convinced that the touching story, filled with pop songs and extravagant makeup, is a relevant testimony to the teens of today who are struggling with sexual identity.

In an interview with CBC News, Sheldon stated "It's a very timely piece in that it is speaking to the misfits of this world. We're in a time when gay kids are committing suicide because they think there's nobody out there who understands them and there's no support. And this is a show about very lonely gay people who travel across very hostile terrain and end up finding family of their own making. It's actually quite current."

The opening night crowd included celebrity supporters such as Karen Kain, Fiona Reid, Rex Harrington, Patrick Watson, Sandra Shamas and Darryl Sittler.

Former mayoral candidates Joe Pantalone, and George Smitherman and husband Christopher Peloso were also in attendance, spotted walking the pink carpet prior to the show.

The show runs until Jan 2, 2011. For ticket information, call 416-872-1212 or visit mirvish.com.

Courtney Gilmour
		About the author:
		Courtney is a published writer, stand-up comic, and shameless Internet enthusiast. She holds a double bachelors degree in English Literature and Communication Media Studies, specializing in semiotic theory, however she doesn't get Shakespeare and has never won a game of Scrabble. Currently she lives in Toronto and works as a writer for WOMAN.CA.
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