Who will survive? Network Ten’s I Will Survive airs next month

Some of Australia’s biggest names in show business will feature in Channel Ten’s I Will Survive – a reality TV series which follows the search for a male musical theatre star.

Guest judges Rachael Taylor (critiquing the performance in Dubbo), Asher Keddie (Cobar), Magda Szubanski (Broken Hill) and Toni Collette (Port Augusta) are just some of the high profile personalities associated with this brand new initiative.

Produced by Fremantle Media and Network Ten, I Will Survive will be aired nationally in just over a month’s time and will be hosted by actor/singer/dancer Hugh Sheridan.

Drawing inspiration from iconic movie and stage show Priscilla Queen Of The Desert as its theatrical backdrop, I Will Survive will take successful auditionees on a road trip of a lifetime on board the famous Priscilla bus from Sydney to Alice Springs where the contestants will perform at various venues along the way.

Joining Sheridan on board the bus will be some of Australia’s most talented male performers, all vying for a spot in the ‘top four’ and the chance to travel to New York with the program.

Resident resident judges – writer and director Stephan Elliott and actor, singer and dancer Jason Donovan will also be working touring the country as they challenge, train and critique the finalists, gradually whittling down the field.

Although part of the original prize was to involve rehearsing a role with the Broadway production of Priscilla, the recent closing of the Broadway production put a fast end to that aspect of the competition. However, $250 000 is still up for grabs, as is the opportunity of a lifetime for some of Australia’s male triple threats (singer/dancer/actors) to showcase their talents on national television.

“I Will Survive is an exciting prospect for TEN. This is big, broad family entertainment with the unique backdrop of iconic locations in our own backyard” said Network Ten Chief Programming Officer, David Mott.

“The format is one that has captured the imagination of critics and audiences alike overseas, and we’re thrilled to bring it to Australian viewers for the first time.”

Despite the endgame playing out on Broadway this time around, FremantleMedia Australia Director of Television, Tim Clucas is sure that the appeal will be widespread throughout Australia.

“Although it ends up on Broadway, I Will Survive is so much more than a musical theatre casting show”, he said.

“The winner will have impressed our big name judges in every performance skill — singing, dancing and acting. They will be the ultimate performer. The entertainment world will be theirs for the taking whether it be television, live theatre or Hollywood.”

It is understood that an official cast announcement will be taking place before the end of July.

Network Ten’s teaser commercial is now live – do you recognise any of the male performers featured here?