Neilson, who plays Bernadette in the series, can call upon decades of stage experience as a drag performer for her role. She is the first transgender woman in New Zealand to take part in a musical and only the third in the world.

MTG’s production of Priscilla aims to please all audience members – from those looking for pure entertainment, who want to sing along to catchy songs, to those who want a glimpse into the life of a drag queen.

And then there is the story of a father who reunites with his former son.

McKerras said launching a show like Priscilla was not easy, given the lack of men involved in musical theater in New Zealand.

“In most productions of Priscilla there are three men who appear and pretend to be women, but in this production our real protagonist doesn’t need to pretend; she just has to go on stage and be her because she’s actually living it.

“We’re not just producing another Priscilla musical theater show. We started telling someone’s story and it turns out someone (Joanne) lives in Gisborne.

“There’s an authenticity to the show, which is just fabulous.”

McKerras wanted to honor Neilson and his craft, which meant asking a lot of questions and understanding “the art of drag.”

It can be defined as gender-bending art in which a person dresses and uses makeup to exaggerate their gender identity. People of any gender can be drag queens.

The music is sung live in the show but not necessarily by the drag queens. They have backing vocalists who can play the lead and there are also a few pre-recorded numbers, including an opera track and a dream sequence.

McKerras asked Neilson to share with the cast and crew some stories about her life as a transgender person.

“We have been informed that every scene that takes place in the series has happened to him, or worse, over and over again.”

Audiences can expect colorful language and themes that might make them uncomfortable, but these will be presented in a way that can be “acknowledged or ignored.”

“Ultimately, we have these incredible actors who tell the story beautifully and we now have the right amount of energy coming from a very small but talented cast,” McKerras said.

“They give everything with extra appreciation and respect because we have Joanne there.”

Priscilla Queen of the Desert

War Memorial Theater

November 15 – 23

Tickets available via Ticketek or on Gisborne i-Site.