‘Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’ at No Square Theatre

Outback Adventure Meets Disco Delight.

Photo courtesy of No Square Theatre

by MaryAnn DiPietro

“Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” asks audiences to hop aboard a weary lavender bus, cross the Australian outback with three drag performers, sing along to a soundtrack of disco classics and open their hearts along the way.

That sounds like quite a journey and, according to Joe Lauderdale, the show’s director and No Square Theatre artistic director, that's exactly the point.

"This is a literal journey as well as an emotional journey," he said.

“Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” follows a trio – Tick, Bernadette and Adam – who leave the city of Sydney behind and take their act deep into the Australian outback. They climb aboard a weathered bus affectionately known as Priscilla. Along the way, they encounter unexpected friendships, moments of acceptance and rejection and opportunities to discover who they truly are.

"This is the second jukebox musical I've ever directed," Lauderdale said. "But I grew up with all of this disco music, so there's a comfort level with the score.” 

The musical is based on the beloved 1994 film of the same name and features familiar hits including "I Will Survive," "Hot Stuff," "Girls Just Want to Have Fun," "It's Raining Men" and "I Love the Nightlife.”

After spending 17 years as director of youth theater at the Laguna Playhouse, Lauderdale retired in 2005. He stepped away from theater before being drawn back through a longtime friendship with No Square Theatre founder Bree Burgess Rosen. 

"When No Square moved into its current space in 2009, Bree asked for my consulting opinion while they were converting the building into a theater," Lauderdale recalled. "From there, I got pulled back into it.” 

What began as directing one show a year eventually evolved into a larger role. After serving as interim artistic director in 2024, Lauderdale officially became No Square's artistic director the following year.

This show features a cast of 20 performers and a six-piece live band. 

"Twenty is large for No Square," Lauderdale said. "Getting back into the groove of moving a fairly large group of people around a fairly small stage has definitely been a challenge.”

That challenge is amplified by approximately 15 choreographed musical numbers. 

"There's not a lot of book to the show, but there's a lot of music and dance," Lauderdale explained. "We haven't had as much opportunity yet to really dig into the characters, and that's the part I'm really looking forward to.”

Beneath the sequins, platform heels and catchy disco beats lies something surprisingly heartfelt. 

"There are two strong hearts to the story," Lauderdale said. 

One belongs to Tick, who embarks on the journey while carrying the weight of reconnecting with his young son. The other belongs to Bernadette, a transgender woman grieving the loss of a relationship and unexpectedly finding new love along the road.

Several of those moments are captured musically. Lauderdale describes one particularly meaningful scene after the performers believe they have found acceptance in an outback bar, only to discover it may be more complicated than it first appeared. Their disappointment is revealed in the song “True Colors.”

Another favorite moment centers on Bernadette. 

"There will be another song for me, for I will sing it. There will be another dream for me, someone will bring it,” Lauderdale quotes the lyrics. "It resonates emotionally with what Bernadette has been through and who she has become.”

"I hope audiences enjoy the songs and the choreography," he said. "These are songs people haven't heard in a while, and they'll find themselves humming along. I hope audiences take away that these characters, for all of their flaws and campiness, are very human. They have real emotions and real journeys.” 

He also believes the production offers an opportunity to celebrate drag as an art form. 

"Drag is performance. That’s what it's about,” Lauderdale said. 

And perhaps most importantly, he hopes audiences simply have a great time.

The production also benefits from ongoing improvements to the theater itself, with recent renovations continuing to enhance the audience experience. 

“Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” closes No Square Theatre's current season and leads into its 34th season, which includes “Baby with the Bathwater,” “Elf Jr.,” “Quilters,” “Merrily We Roll Along” and “Grease.”

For the first time, No Square Theatre will offer season ticket packages.

‘Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’

No Square Theatre

When: July 17-August 2, 2026

Where: 384 Legion St, Laguna Beach, CA

Information: (949) 715-0333, www.NoSquare.org

MaryAnn DiPietro is an actor, singer, pianist, music director and writer.