Search For Kiwi Boy to Star in Hit Musical Priscilla
Lunchbox Theatrical Productions and Nullabor Productions announce today that they will soon begin their search for a New
Zealand boy to play the role of Benji in the international smash hit musical PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT which opens on Friday, 14 October at The Civic in Auckland.
Benji is the son of lead character Tick, and is the real reason Tick convinces his friends Bernadette and Felicia to
head off into the desert in a big pink bus for a four-week stint at a Hotel Casino Resort in Alice Springs -- the same
resort managed by his estranged wife Marion.
Tick hasn’t seen eight-year-old Benji for years and is nervous about exposing him to his colourful lifestyle, only to be
surprised that Marion has raised him to be sweet and open-minded so he's fully supportive of his father's sexuality and
career.
Auditions for the role of Benji - the sole child in the show - will be held in Auckland on Friday 19th, Saturday 20th
and Sunday 21st August. The producers are looking for three boys to alternate the role. The boys will be between 8 and
11 years old, but playing an eight-year-old. They should have good acting and singing skills and ideally be able to
dance.
It is preferred but not essential that they have some musical theatre experience. All ethnic groups are welcome and
height will be taken into consideration. Further information and the registration form can be downloaded at www.priscillathemusical.co.nz. Please note this page will be live this afternoon (Friday, 22 July). Photo and footage featuring the character Benji available here
The first step of the audition process will be a group singing audition. Successful auditionees from this round will
advance to the next round. At the end of day two, finalists will be selected and will be asked to return for the final
day.
Boys chosen for the show will be required for a five-day rehearsal from Monday, 10 October and then from 14 October
until mid-November, when they will join the rest of the cast for rehearsals followed by the show’s Auckland season.
The boys will join a stellar international cast - one of the strongest to have graced The Civic stage - featuring actors
from the West End and Broadway, from film and television, pop singers and even Kanye West dancers.
With 10 years and several thousand kilometres racked up, the pink bus is looking more magnificent than ever for its
triumphant return on 14 October and will run for a strictly limited season.
This wildly fresh and funny musical, based on the Oscar-winning film, features a hit parade of dance-floor favourites,
over 500 outrageous costumes, 200 extraordinary headdresses and a 10 metre long customised bus weighing 6 tonnes as its
sparkling centrepiece - PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT is a must-see extravaganza!
The record-breaking stage spectacular that sold 100,000 tickets in the six amazing weeks it was here in 2008 returns to
our shores by popular demand, brought by the producers of the smash hit musicals Cats as well as Singin' In The Rain, The Sound of Music and Annie.
PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT has already been seen by close to 5 million people and grossed in excess of $300 million
worldwide to become the most successful Australian musical of all time.
Originating and international Producer Garry McQuinn says that the role of Benji presents itself as a wonderful
opportunity for a young actor to work with international stars in one of the best known productions in the world.
Fellow producer James Cundall concurs, “Many Kiwi kids advanced their musical theatre careers by being selected to star
in our previous productions Annie and The Sound of Music. There are some highly talented young actors out there and we look forward to discovering another star in Benji.”
So budding young actors, get ready for what could be the musical bus journey of your life!
Songs Include:
· It's Raining Men
· What's Love Got to Do With It
· Don't Leave Me This Way
· Venus
· Go West
· I Say a Little Prayer
· I Love the Nightlife
· Colour My World
· I Will Survive
· Thank God I'm a Country Boy
· A Fine Romance
· Shake Your Groove Thing
· Pop Musik
· Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
· Hot Stuff
· MacArthur Park
· Boogie Wonderland
· We Belong
· Finally
TICKET INFORMATION
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
ends