Entertainment
13 December, 2025
Desert queens
CAIRNS Choral Society will launch its 2026 season with ‘Priscilla, Queen of the Desert: The Musical’ opening at the Cairns Performing Arts Centre (CPAC) on 16 January.
The production follows substantial audience numbers for ‘Les Misérables’ in 2024, ‘Come From Away’ in 2025 and a sold-out ‘Gala’ in October. Rehearsals have been underway for several months, with the cast and crew preparing to bring the Australian musical to the CPAC stage from 16-24 January.
The musical marks the first major directorial debut for long-standing Cairns Choral Society performer Dale Schultz, who is leading a cast of 30 local singers, dancers and drag artists, supported by a whole creative and production team.
“This is a story about heart, humour and identity,” director Dale Schultz said.
“Priscilla reminds us that joy, friendship and self-acceptance always win and presenting this glitter-soaked celebration with local talent at CPAC will be magic.”
Based on the 1994 film, the show follows three drag performers travelling across the Outback aboard a battered bus named Priscilla. The story explores themes of friendship, acceptance and belonging, set against a soundtrack of disco-pop classics.
Audiences can expect hit songs including ‘It’s Raining Men’, ‘I Will Survive’, ‘I Say a Little Prayer’, ‘Go West’, ‘Hot Stuff’ and ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’, supported by high-energy choreography, a live band under musical director Jo-Anne Kemp and costuming led by Nolene Rees.
The production also features choreography by Krystal Duff-Weekes and Rhianne Rees.
Founded in 1923, Cairns Choral Society is one of Queensland’s oldest community theatre companies and continues to present concerts, cabarets and large-scale musicals featuring local performers.
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert: The Musical runs at CPAC from 16–24 January 2026. Tickets are available through Ticketlink for $55, with a 10% discount for group bookings of 10 or more: www.bit.ly/4iP7wLk
