Queen Of The Desert

Hello! It’s 11:34 p.m. and I am home from seeing Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical for the 4th time in less than two weeks. Okay. I’m pausing for reaction ... of any kind ...as I know there has been a wide variety from my friends.  I’m at the point of not caring if you think I’m wasting money or should be doing other things. At the moment ... this musical makes me smile. 

As I took the “Q” train home to Brooklyn ... I remembered, the last musical that impacted me this much was Les Miserables. I was in high school and it was the song “Stars” that for some reason ...  touched me. I can’t explain. I wish I kept a copy of the my entrance essay to Boston University as to why that song shaped my essay. More than 10 years later I can’t answer that. I do know that that musical ...  and song ... hold a special place in my heart.

So as I settled into my fourth seat at The Palace Theatre ... I was surrounded by tourists who were quite fun! I sat the closest to the stage I have ever sat before as well! It was truly a good time!  The four people behind me were mostly from London. Two had gotten married in Australia and the rest were just family who were like, “Hey! Let’s go to the U.S.! It’s been too long!” 

The couple next to me had a daughter that wasn’t able to come to the show because she had a migraine. That made me sad. All asked me if I had seen the show. Naturally, I said yes. That it was my 4th time and that the musical just was a great show. The actors/singers/dancers are magnificent!  The fact that for one of the stars ... it’s their first leading role ... makes it even more grand! Plus, it's just a show with real heart. Plus, it makes me very happy to see someone reach a goal of theirs. To be able to witness that part of someone’s life ... in some small way ... is fun and inspirational to watch.

People always ask me, “Why do you get so excited when you talk about Broadway? You’ve seen national tours of shows in Chicago.” Yes.  I have seen some great shows in Chicago full of talented people. I have my parents to thank for that. They took me to see some fab show growing up. But, for me ... seeing a show on Broadway makes me tingle with excitement for those on the stage. There is a different kind of energy. And ...for those who know me ... I suck at acting. You know that. I hate being in front of any camera! I did news on the radio because I could hide behind a microphone!  So I’ve always admired anyone who could get their booty on stage in front of people and “Shake Their Groove Thing” or do anything.

So for me ...seeing these actors on Broadway ... it’s hard to explain. You can see it. You can feel that they LOVE what they do. That inspires me. Not because I don’t love what I do. I am happy and grateful to be where I am. I don’t always love my job. I can’t name one person who has always loved their job. But ... for me ... you can see these men and women are truly grateful for where they are. They got to where they are after years of training and hard work. I couldn’t be prouder of them. 

AND ... I couldn't’ be prouder to say I am going to the closing of Priscilla on the 24th of June.  So thank you to my parents. They were coming to town in the last weekend of May and suggested seeing the show. The Book of Mormon was too expensive (Yes. I do want to see that musical at some point). Thanks mom and dad for introducing me to yet another fantabulous musical. I couldn’t feel anymore privileged or lucky to be able to see a show on Broadway that has meant so much to me. I know some haven’t had the opportunity to even see any show on Broadway. So, I don’t take it lightely when I say it’ll be 5 times I get to see th original Priscilla cast on Broadway! I have never done that for a show before. So ... to the cast and crew of Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical ... thank you! Thank you ... Nick, Tony and Will ... and everyone involved in the production. As the Londoner’s behind me kept tapping my shoulder and saying, “Brilliant! Just brilliant!”