The audience went beyond a standing ovation they gave the cast a ‘Dancing Ovation’. PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
Written and photographed
By Jude Bautista
In Resort’s World Manila’s production of PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL, which opened last May 9, 2014 a lot of the design and production had to be ‘original’. The license from the Australian producers includes only the use of the script and music. So the set design, the costumes, choreography all had to be re-imagined or visualized specifically for the Philippine production.
from left: Red Concepcion (Felicia), Leo Valdez (Mitzi) and Jon Santos (Bernadette) in Charlie’s Angels inspired outfits. PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
Jon Santos (Bernadette) drives Priscilla the bus that spins on stage while Red Concepcion (Felicia) and Leo Valdez (Mitzi) dance on top deck. PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
Director Jaime Del Mundo said that the iconic shoe on top of the bus, which was used, on the film and Australian production was not allowed for this production. Instead Del Mundo thought of using 3 thrones with the shape of a tiara at the top deck of the bus. The shape and tiara like formation echoes the queen theme. The result was both functional and alluring.
Director Jaime Del Mundo & NEWS Café host Mitzi Borromeo of Solar News. PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
Stars on top from left: Jon Santos (Bernadette), Leo Valdez (Mitzi) and Red Concepcion (Felicia) DIVAS In bus from left: Timmy Canlas, Bituin Escalante and Lani Ligot. PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
Del Mundo also decided to create a top deck for Priscilla (name of the bus) and use it as a focal point for the more important scenes. So many of the design solutions by set designer Jo Tecson and director Jaime Del Mundo worked so well that they impressed Australian producer Gary McQuinn. His company Nullabor Productions holds the rights to PRISCILLA the Musical. He has seen more than 17 versions of the show and believes that the version here in Resort’s World Manila is “one of the best if not the best”.
from left: RWM Dir. for Sponsorship Anna Chua, Lisa Macuja, Nullabor Productions Managing Dir Garry McQuinn and RWM VP for Ent Sviatlana Burkun. PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
from left: Thou Reyes (Ensemble), OJ Mariano (Ensemble), Jill Peña (Ensemble), Henry Strzalkowski (Bob), Menchu Lauchengco Yulo (Marion), Warren Saga (Benjamin), Cara Barredo (Ensemble) and Pinky Parquez (Shirley). PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
The inventive design along with the incredible performance was what impressed McQuinn. In an interview with SOLAR NEWS’ Mitzi Borromeo he said, “I thought the cast was wonderful. Actors are the same around the world, they need to find a good story. These guys found their way. There’s a whole bunch of new stuff. There are a number of huge production problems that you have to solve in Priscilla. And they were solved with wonderful, wonderful creativity and invention. To the point where I enjoyed this version more than any other recent version I can remember. It was surprising usually I know what to expect.”
Priscilla the Bus changes colors foreground: Red Concepcion (Felicia), Jon Santos (Bernadette) and Leo Valdez (Mitzi). PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
Seated from right: Pinky Marquez (Shirley) and Jill Peña (Ensemble). PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
He spoke glowingly of the cast-drag queens: Leo Valdez, Jon Santos, Red Concepcion, three Divas: Bituin Escalante, Timmy Canlas and Lani Ligot. Major roles include stars like Michael Stewart Williams, Menchu Lauchengco Yulo, Pinky Marquez, Henry Strzalkowski, with Warren Saga and Guido Gatmaitan alternating as Benjamin. Including a talented ensemble with the likes of OJ Mariano, Red Nuestro, Jasmine Fitzgerald and Raymond Concepcion II.
from left: Jon Santos (Bernadette) and Henry Strzalkowski (Bob). PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
Talented cast from left: Timmy Canlas (Diva), Jasmine Fitzgerald, Jill Peña, Reg Claravall and Raymond Concepcion II. PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
McQuinn also revealed his plans to take the RWM production abroad, “Today I was like any other audience. I sat there and was surprised and moved and thrilled by the invention. All the way through with the revolver to the bus it was unique and theirs. Along with that, a wonderful wonderful heartfelt performance from ALL of them. You can take this from me we are taking this production of Priscilla somewhere else.”
Red Concepcion plays Felicia in PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL. It will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
from left: News Café Host Mitzi Borromeo, Nullabor Productions Managing Dir Garry McQuinn, RWM CEO and VP for Entertainment Colin Kerr. PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
RWM CEO & VP for Entertainment Colin Kerr was able to explain that highlighting Filipino talent was always one of the intentions from the beginning, “Something that we do here in Resort’s World Manila is support Filipino talent. That’s one of our strong advocacies. We make sure that we show the best of the best in every production we do. We want to show the diversity of Filipino talent as well. Tonight we showed more diversity than we’ve ever shown.”
from left: RWM Artistic Dir. Menchu Lauchengco Yulo, Michael Stewart Williams (Miss Understanding), RWM CEO & VP for Ent Collin Kerr & Leo Valdez (Mitzi). PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
DIVAS on top deck from left: Timmy Canlas, Lani Ligot and Bituin Escalante. Foreground left: Jon Santos (Bernadette). PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
One of the unique features of the New Port Performing Arts Theater (or NPAT) in Resort’s World Manila is the giant LED screen. In this production it was even more of a factor. McQuinn added, “We’ve never used anything like this before. I think it’s a revelatory solution to the design problems of the show. Essentially you have to show the great Australian Outback on stage. And we’ve always in the past used more traditional scenery methods of doing that. It’s a huge video wall. I have to say the imagery that was put on it. I think is quite outstandingly successful and solves a lot of production problems.”
right (on table) Jon Santos (Bernadette) and Red Concepcion (Felicia). PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
from right: Megaworld First VP and Commercial Div. Head Kevin Tan, Michelle Tan, Eventologist Tim Yap and Sea Princess Tessa Prieto Valdes. PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
Del Mundo credits the resident video producers/ animators Ivan Sakantsau and Carlo Manere. He said, “I knew exactly what I wanted to happen. I just didn’t know they could do it in a way that was so technically polished. To be honest I didn’t think the road would change perspective at the same time as the bus. So they pulled that off, which made me happy.”
from left: Leo Valdez (Mitzi), Red Concepcion (Felicia) and Jon Santos (Bernadette) drives Priscilla the bus. PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
Pinky Amador and OJ Mariano shoot selfies of cast and friends. PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL
is presented by
Resort’s World Manila, VISA, MGM ON STAGE, MAC Cosmetics
http://judebautista.tumblr.com/
SAM Y.G. of Boys Night Out was at the opening of PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL. It will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
from left: Walang Tulugan’s John Nite & host Kuya German Moreno, Tessa Prieto Valdes and Ken Chan. PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
RWM Menchu Lauchengco Yulo also plays the role of Marion with her is Leo Valdez (Mitzi). PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL
is presented by
Resort’s World Manila, VISA, MGM ON STAGE, MAC Cosmetics
http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ , http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , http://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ , /
Suzi Entrata-Abrera of MARS / Unang Hirit at the opening of PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL. It will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
from right: RWM Pres. Kingson Sian, RWM Dir. for Sponsorship Anna Chua and RWM CEO & VP for Ent Colin Kerr. PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
Pinky Marquez (Shirley) is in PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL. It will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL
is presented by
Resort’s World Manila, VISA, MGM ON STAGE, MAC Cosmetics
http://judebautista.tumblr.com/
from left: RWM Creative Technical Dir Sviatlana Burkun, RWM CEO and VP for Entertainment Colin Kerr, Nicole Yulo and Director Jaime Del Mundo. PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
Divas from left: Timmy Canlas, Bituin Escalante and Lani Ligot. PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
from left: RWM Pres. Kingson Sian and Broadway Asia Mgr Intl Licensing & Touring Damon G. Brooks. PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL
is presented by
Resort’s World Manila, VISA, MGM ON STAGE, MAC Cosmetics
http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ , http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , http://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ , /
foreground from left: Jon Santos as Bernadette (on coffin) and Leo Valdez (Mitzi). PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
Phil Star Columnist Bibsy Carballo and GMA News/ Entertainment reporter Nelson Canlas. PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
Red Concepcion (Felicia) on sofa with Divas from left: Timmy Canlas, Bituin Escalante and Lani Ligot. PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
Fans in 70s attire shoots a cool group selfie. PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL
is presented by
Resort’s World Manila, VISA, MGM ON STAGE, MAC Cosmetics
http://judebautista.tumblr.com/
from left: Jon Santos (Bernadette), Leo Valdez (Mitzi), RW Sentosa VP for Ent Andrea Teo Yun Ai and Red Concepcion (Felicia). PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
Pinky Marquez (Shirley) thanks crowd, behind her from left Nullabor Productions Managing Dir Garry McQuinn and Nullabor Productions Exec. Producer Bradley Stauffer-Kruse. PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
Jon Santos plays Bernadette in PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL. It will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
Giselle Toenggi was at the opening of PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL. It will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL
is presented by
Resort’s World Manila, VISA, MGM ON STAGE, MAC Cosmetics
http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ , http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , http://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ , /
from left: Jon Santos (Bernadette), Leo Valdez (Mitzi) and Red Concepcion (Felicia) in Charlie’s Angels inspired outfits. PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
The audience went beyond a standing ovation they gave the cast a ‘Dancing Ovation’. PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL will run from May to July 2014 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
Text and Photos by Jude Bautista