The full cast for the New Zealand production of the international smash hit Priscilla Queen Of The Desert, The Musical  opening on Friday, 14 October 2016 at The Civic in Auckland has been revealed.

From West End and Broadway stars to film and television actors, pop singers and even Kanye West dancers -- this cast will have it all and promises to be one of THE most exciting to have graced The Civic stage.

Joining the previously announced Ray Meagher (aka Alf Stewart from Home and Away) as Bob the mechanic, are the West End’s Simon Green as Bernadette, Brazilian star Andre Torquato as Adam/Felicia, and Broadway heart-throb Bryan Buscher-West as Tick/Mitzi.

Simon, a Drama Desk Award nominee and regular on television series including Mr Selfridge and Eastenders, comes direct from playing Bernadette in the UK, Amsterdam and Tel Aviv. Green is a veteran West End performer, and prior to frocking up, featured in three Sondheim original West End productions as well as two concerts at the Royal Albert Hall – The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary and Sondheim at 80 for the BBC Proms.  In addition to leading roles at many of the UK’s major theatres, his other West End credits include Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Boyfriend, The Wizard of Oz and Showboat.

“Bernadette is undoubtedly one of the best roles that I have ever had. She has the best lines and the funniest, saddest, loneliest moments in the play and she gets the best costumes.”

Andre Torquato comes fresh from playing Adam/Felicia on board the Norwegian Epic cruise liner, and prior to that he played the role in the Brazilian production of Priscilla Queen Of The Desert, The Musical.  Based in New York City, the Brazilian is a graduate of The Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute. Other credits include The Sound of Music, Gypsy, The Witches of Eastwick, The Wizard of Oz, Godspell and Rent.

“I’m thrilled to be riding the pink bus one more time, now in beautiful New Zealand.”

Bryan Buscher-West is a star of Broadway, having understudied both the roles of Adam/Felicia and Tick/Mitzi during the entire season of Priscilla – co-produced there by mega diva Bette Midler! Bryan then boarded the big pink bus for a 12-month tour of the US, playing Adam/Felicia. His other Broadway credits including Wicked, Legally Blonde and Hairspray. He was no stranger to the stage when he arrived on Broadway, having been part of European pop band 5NY.

Long term fans of Shortland Street will see the return to our shores of Lena Cruz (aka outspoken clinic director Sofia Martinez). Since her shock exit in 2001, she has become hugely popular as a stage actress including creating the widely acclaimed role of Cynthia in the original production of Priscilla. Other roles have included Menopause The Musical: Women On Fire, The Threepenny Opera, Fame, Hair – The Musical, and An Officer and A Gentleman. She will reprise her role as Cynthia when she returns to Auckland in October.

Many of the cast will come direct from the UK tour of Priscilla Queen Of The Desert, The Musical, and have West End, Broadway or international tour credits (other career highlights bracketed). They are:

Amy Edwards (The Lion King, Australia), Aaron Sweeney-Harris (Aladdin, O2 London and featured dancer for Katie Melua), Joshua Buscher-West (Priscilla since the North American Premier in Toronto, Canada, including Broadway), Adam Lyons (Kanye West dancer Brit Awards 2015), Ian Oswald (Pirates of the Caribbean, feature film, Chicago and Starlight Express), Callum Nicol (Dirty Dancing, West End, Finding Neverland feature film with Johnny Depp), John Brannoch (Matilda the Musical, West End and Chicago, West End), Martin Harding (Priscilla, UK Tour), Evan Wittstock (Les Misérables, Hello, Dolly!, Pippin, and Kiss Me, Kate), Craig Ryder (We Will Rock You, West End and UK Tour), Regan Shepherd (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, UK Tour and The Witches of Eastwick), Ellie Leah (Sister Act, West End and Mamma Mia! International Tour), Erin Bruce (Shout!), Bleu Woodward (Kinky Boots, West End and Mamma Mia! International Tour), Amy Di Bartolomeo (Starlight Express, Germany).

Priscilla Queen Of The Desert, The Musical 
 
Venue:                   The Civic, Auckland
Dates:                    From Friday 14 October 2016
Times:                    Tuesday 7.30pm; Wednesday 7.30pm; Thursday 7.30pm Friday 7.30pm
                                Saturday 2.30pm & 7.30pm; Sunday 1pm & 6pm
Bookings:              Ticketmaster 09 970 9700 or ticketmaster.co.nz
                                Groups 10+ SAVE! Call Group Bookings on 09 970 9745