I was provided tickets to facilitate this review; all opinions are my own

Paramount Theatre Seattle - Priscilla Queen of the Desert Opening Night

Opening night of “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert,” in Seattle was a glitter-filled event. The gender-bending musical was a hit with the audience from the moment the curtain went up. The show is made up of some great songs, spectacular costumes, and some intensely talented cast members.

The show is raunchy and racy and I loved every minute of it though it isn’t for most under the age of 15 or so. There is language, overt sexuality, a hate crime, and a chance to really look at how we treat each other as human beings. In the end it’s a love story between friends, but getting there takes some dark detours.

The trio of lead characters are extremely relatable even if you’re not a cross-dressing drag queen. Their stories are shared in bits of dialogue and lots of songs. So many fun and witty uses of some the most popular pop songs of the 80-90’s. Songs like “It’s Raining Men,” “Material Girl,” and “I Will Survive.”

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The music also lends itself to lots of clapping, swaying, and sashaying in the audience. There was a small collection of Drag Queens in the audience and at the start of the 2nd act, several of them, along with some other random audience members, were invited up onto the stage to perform. They all looked like they were having the time of their lives.

My date for the night was my 74-year old mother and on many occasions she and I elbowed each other as one more fabulous joke, song, or line was shared from the stage.  During intermission I purchased a pink feather boa for my mother as well as the CD soundtrack – we were hooked on the spectacle and the story unfolding on stage and wanted to bring home that feeling with us.

After a standing ovation and obvious gratitude from the cast, the final song was sung, “Go on now go walk out the door just turn around now cause you’re not welcome anymore….” They sent us on our way with Gloria Gaynor’s song in our hearts and we loved every minute of it.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert - Opening Night Seattle Paramount Theatre

Bring along some cash or  your credit/debit card and enjoy the $5 Grilled Cheese and Basil (or Bacon) sandwich from Tom Douglas’ restaurant sold in the main lobby (delicious and the scent attaches itself to your brain the minute you walk in the door and doesn’t let go until you enjoy one) or a $6 Diet Coke in the bar.

PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL

This is the first national tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical.  This outrageously funny show runs  through Sunday, November 17.

Ticket Sales

Tickets start at $25 and go up. They  can be purchased on-line at stgpresents.org, tickets.com, and select Ticketmaster locations. You can also purchase by phone by calling 877-STG-4TIX (784-4849) or pick them up in person at The Paramount Theatre Box Office (Monday through Friday, 10am to 6pm).

STG Presents
THE PARAMOUNT THEATRE
911 Pine Street
Seattle, WA 98101